14. Ella Fitzgerald, Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)

Cole Porter, the great lyricist who emerged during the Roaring Twenties (a hundred years ago, my, my) had a genius for the witty, urbane, and risqué. But Porter’s double entendres sometimes tempt nudge-nudge-wink-wink singers to lean into the campiness. Not Ella Fitzgerald. She doesn’t need to spell out what we can all hear in the lyrics. “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)” catalogs creatures—birds, bees, goldfish, even romantic sponges—who “do it.” With playful, breezy sophistication and technical precision, she reminds us all that romance is not only universal, but inevitable. So we may as well do it.

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Ella Fitzgerald,"Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)," 1956. Written by Cole Porter, 1928.

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This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day through May 31, 2025. Inspired by my MFAH 100 project.

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Have a song you’d like me to consider? Send a message or leave a comment. I will give it a serious listen.

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