I don't know if anyone's recommended this one yet (I apologise if this is a repeat), but one of my favourites from the Gilded Age is Irving Berlin's 1911 hit, "Everybody's Doing it Now".
As performed by the famous Edwardian-style chamber-music group, I Salonisti:
[video=youtube;SpLMTmt82jM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpLMTmt82jM[/video]
Famously, or unfortunately as you perceive it, these chaps portrayed the Wallce Hartley Quintet in James Cameron's "Titanic" film in 1997.
1. Marion Harris -- I'll See You In My Dreams (1924)
2. Paul Whiteman and his Ambassador Hotel Orchestra -- Japanese Sandman (1920)
3. Cameo Dance Orchestra -- Remem'bring (1923)
4. Bill Burton (aka Charles Harrison) -- I Love You (1923)
5. George Olsen and his Music -- Why Couldn't It Been Poor Little Me (1925)
6. The Varsity Eight -- Last Night On The Back Porch (1923)
7. Billy West (aka Billy Jones) -- What Do You Do On Sunday, Mary? (1923)
8. Lyman's California Ambassador Hotel Orchestra -- Before You Go (1923)
Billy Murray -- Then They Start The Victrola (1914)
I know a couple in full dress and gown
Who used to go the parties in town
But he got jealous of all of the fellows
She looked so pretty, they kept crowding around
He said with envy, "I'll turn them all green."
He went and bought her a Victor machine
With that Victrola home they never have to roam
Cause he gets her all alone
Then they start the Victrola, the little Victrola
And up comes the rug from the floor
At no more parties are they to be found
He likes to have her when no one's around
That's why he bought a Victrola, the little Victrola
They never go out anymore
And after dancing she's all out of breath
He loves to take her and hug her to death
Then they start the Victrola, the little Victrola
And go dancing around the floor
Sometimes he doesn't go home until three
She sits there waiting as mad as can be
Then grabs his collar and starts in to holler
"Guess you're forgetting that you're no longer free"
She says, "Now dearie, you're wasting your life."
"Cut out that innocent look in your eyes"
Just like a silly goose he hasn't one excuse
Then they both say, "What's the use?"
Then they start the Victrola, the little Victrola
And up comes the rug from the floor
At no more parties are they to be found
He likes to have her when no one's around
That's why he bought a Victrola, the little Victrola
They never go out anymore
And after dancing she's all out of breath
He loves to take her and hug her to death
Then they start the Victrola, the little Victrola
And go dancing around the floor
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