Luck Be a Lady
"Luck Be a Lady" is a song written by Frank Loesser in 1950 and first performed by Robert Alda. The song was featured in the musical Guys and Dolls.
The lyrics relate the point of view of a gambler, Sky Masterson, who hopes that he will win a bet, the outcome of which will decide whether or not he is able to save his relationship with the girl of his dreams.
Marlon Brando sang the song in the 1955 film version. In 2004 that version finished at #42 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema.
Jack Jones recorded it for his 1964 album, Bewitched,[1] arranged by Shorty Rogers.
Later, it became a signature song for Frank Sinatra, first released on the compilation Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre and re-released on the album Sinatra '65: The Singer Today. It was released as a duet with Chrissie Hynde on Duets II (1994). The song was also recorded by Barbra Streisand for her album Back to Broadway, and appeared on The L Word's soundtrack in episode 4.06, where it was performed by Brian Setzer. Dee Snider performed it as a duet with Clay Aiken on Snider's 2012 album Dee Does Broadway, while the Cherry Poppin' Daddies recorded a version on their 2014 Rat Pack tribute Please Return the Evening.
On December 14, 2011, Cîroc began airing a "Luck Be a Lady" advertising campaign for Ultra Premium Vodka, directed by Anthony Mandler. The ads feature a group of elegantly dressed friends (Diddy and his fellow makers of Cîroc Ultra Premium, Frank Vincent, Eva Pigford, Michael K. Williams, Aaron Paul, Matt Goss, Dania Ramirez, and Jesse Williams) enjoying a festive night on the town in "Sin City", rolling big and hitting the jackpot in scenes reminiscent of the original Rat Pack, with a recording of Frank Sinatra singing "Luck Be a Lady" playing throughout the commercial as mood music. Brand ambassador Sean "Diddy" Combs" has said, "The Rat Pack defined the art of celebrating in style. I cannot imagine a Spirit more suitable for commemorating life with family and friends than CÎROC; a brand that has become synonymous with celebratory occasions." [2][3][4]
In popular culture
The song was parodied in the Simpsons episode "Mayored to the Mob" as "Luke be a Jedi". It also has been used in the OST from The Cooler, a movie which deals with Casino life (and also death) in Las Vegas. It also had one line sung by the Doctor, in the Doctor Who episode "Rose". The song features prominently in the film Mrs. Doubtfire when Robin Williams' character is given a makeover to "become" a woman. The electronica group Fila Brazillia also references the song in the title of their album Luck Be a Weirdo Tonight.
Season 4 Episode 6 of the television show The L Word featured the song and used it as the title of the episode.
The song has also been used in various TV commercials.
The song was in the Roseanne episode "Vegas," performed by Roseanne Barr And John Goodman.
The song is hear in the Halloween Horror Nights: 21 TV commercial.
On The Real World: New Orleans, cast member David Broom sang a slightly modified version of this song, "Come On, Be My Baby Tonight." He repeated this performance on an episode of Chappelle's Show.
On the NCIS episode called "Ex File" season 5 episode 3, Tony DiNozzo has this song on his iPod and is heard singing it.
The song is also featured in the Mad TV skit: Ty and Gray at the casino.
The Frank Sinatra version of the song is featured in the TV show Family Guy in the episode Roads to Vegas, during a gambling scene. The Ninth Doctor sings this in the first episode of the revived TV show Doctor Who to Rose Tyler. This song was also prominently featured in an episode of Matlock.
Sex and the City's third episode of its fifth season was titled "Luck Be an Old Lady."
At the end of the 2009 Tony Awards, host Neil Patrick Harris included a spoof of "Luck Be a Lady" in his closing number.[5]
The 2013 film Begin Again starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo also features this song when Gretta plays her playlist.
References
- ↑ "Jack Jones - Bewitched". discogs.com. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ↑ "Diddy's Luck Be A Lady Cîroc Commercial (extended version) [Video]". soulculture.co.uk. 21 December 2011.
- ↑ http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/16/4128099/diddy-and-friends-take-vegas-by.html
- ↑ http://www.hiphopconnection.com/video.php?Diddy-Hits-Up-Vegas-In-New-Luck-Be-A-Lady-Ciroc-Commercial/6847=
- ↑ 2009 Tony Awards - NPH "11:00 Number". 8 June 2009 – via YouTube.