The Hostess With The Mostes' On The Ball

Album: Call Me Madam (1950)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The second number from the 1950 Broadway production Call Me Madam, like the rest of the songs in the show it was written by Irving Berlin. The hostess with the mostess was actually a real person: Perle Mesta (1889-1975). She earned that soubriquet due to her lavish parties; as well as a society hostess she was US Ambassador to Luxembourg (1949–1953), making this show and the accompanying book both contemporary and potentially controversial.

    In both the Broadway production and the 1953 film, the hostess with the mostes' - Sally Adams - was played by Ethel Merman, who sings this autobiographical and slightly risqué song. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.