http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y59qgqPd1jU
This is my absolute favorite Ruth Etting song – and I’m not the only one who loves it – since it was uploaded to Youtube on July 20, 2008, it’s been viewed 64,466 times.
Written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn, Ruth Etting debuted the song in the Broadway show, Whoopie! in 1928. This version was recorded on December 17, 1928. It charted at #2 in 1929. In 1955 it became the title song for the movie made about Ruth’s life. In 2005 Ruth Etting was inducted to the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame for this song.
For more on “Love Me Or Leave Me” please see http://ruthetting.com/love-me-or-leave-me/
I just wanted to let you, and everyone reading this, know that Laurent Valière, in his weekly radio program called 42nd Street (on France Musique, a station of French public radio), devoted an hour to Ruth Etting on his October 24th broadcast, which can still be heard at: http://sites.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/_c/php/emission/popupMP3.php?e=65000060&d=420000661 . It was quite good. Of course, one needs to understand French. His Sunday morning show is rich in Hollywood and show tunes, and a real pleasure to the ear.
I wish my French was better! But seriously, a whole hour? That’s wonderful!