54. Frank Sinatra and Bono, I've Got You Under My Skin
This song cracks me up. You’ve got the stiff, bouncy Frank Sinatra in his later years, the onetime crooner gone gravelly and square, and then Bono openly flirting with the old man, singing with naked seduction, all orgasmic breathiness, doing these bonkers falsetto scats. I can’t help but wonder if Bono is kind of—no doubt respectfully, but still—fucking with Sinatra here. The song is from a 1993 album of duets in which Sinatra recorded his parts separately, and guest artists added their vocals later, which reinforces the idea that Bono decided to playfully tease the legendary bobbysoxer heartthrob.
Frank Sinatra and Bono, “I've Got You Under My Skin,” recorded 1993. Written by Cole Porter, 1936.
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 early June, 2025. Inspired by my MFAH 100 project.
Too many emails? For instructions on receiving a weekly recap, click here.
Have a song you’d like me to consider? Send a message or leave a comment. I will give it a serious listen.
I think whoever made the video might have also been playfully messing with Sinatra or at least enjoying the juxtaposition of disco cowboy era Bono with his sighs and falsetto and the suit wearing Frank with his hipster swing. This is a fun version that I hadn’t heard! Two iconic singers!
Thank you. This was very interesting to me; I had not seen it but certainly remember the song. Sadly, I didn't know Bono, but the take reminded me of a similar undertaking Natalie Cole did with her father Nat King Cole. I thought that very interesting and memorable too. I'm really enjoying your endeavor here because I know I need it! Blessings.....