I Love a Piano explained

"I Love a Piano" is a popular song with words and music by Irving Berlin. It was copyrighted on December 9, 1920 and introduced in the Broadway musical revue Stop! Look! Listen! when it was performed by Harry Fox and the ensemble.^[1] The song was given a tremendous boost in the show as the set for it consisted of an enormous keyboard running completely across the stage. In front of this were six pianos with six pianists playing the tune. Irving Berlin always regarded the song as one of his best efforts.^[2]

Notable recordings

• It was recorded for Victor Records (catalog No. 17945) by Billy Murray on January 5, 1916^[3] and this enjoyed great success.^[4]
• The top British recording was by Ethel Levey on the HMV label on 13 April 1916.
• Joe Bushkin for his album I Love a Piano (1950).^[5]
• Benny Fields & Blossom Seeley - included in the album Two-a-Day at the Palace (1957) ^[6]
• Tony Bennett - for MTV Unplugged (1994)^[7]

Popular culture

• "I Love a Piano" was one of the songs featured in the film Easter Parade, as sung by Judy Garland.
• Andy Williams and Kermit the Frog - on The Muppet Show, Episode 4x22, as part of their duet medley (1980)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Internet Broadway Database. ibdb.com. January 19, 2018.
2. Book: Bergreen. Laurence. As Thousands Cheer: The Life of Irving Berlin. registration. 1990. Viking Penguin Inc. New York. 0-340-53486-9. 131.
3. Web site: The Online Discographical Project. 78discography.com. January 19, 2018.
4. Book: Whitburn. Joel. Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. 1986. Record Research Inc. Wisconsin, USA. 0-89820-083-0. 331. registration.
5. Web site: allmusic.com. allmusic.com. January 21, 2018.
6. Web site: Discogs.com. Discogs.com. January 20, 2018.
7. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. May 3, 2024.