Overview
Introduction
Jalousieis a tango written by Danish composer Jacob Gade in 1925. Its full title is Jalousie 'Tango Tzigane'(Jealousy 'Gypsy Tango') and it soon became popular around the world and is today a classic in the modern songbook.
Music
The work consists of two themes – the first “a temperamental theme in D minor”, followed by a “lyrical section in D major”, both with a typical tango rhythm.Although it became Gade’s most popular and successful work, he wrote successor tangos, such as the 'Romanesca, Tango' in 1933.
Composition
The composer claimed that the mood of the piece had been inspired by his reading a sensational news report of a crime of passion, and 'jealousy' became fixed in his mind.
Gade was principal conductor of the 24-piece orchestra of the Palads Cinemain Copenhagenat the time he composed the piece. He wrote it at Tibirke Mølle, north Zealand, where he had a holiday home,as part of the musical accompaniment for the Danish premiere of the silent film Don Q, Son of Zorro.It was performed under Gade's baton on the opening night, 14 September 1925.
Publication and performance history
The music was published in 1925 by Gade and Warny in Denmark, then the following year in New York and Paris.Radio broadcasts and its use in 1930s films spread its popularity. The first recording was made in 1935 by the Boston Pops Orchestra, conducted by Arthur Fiedler, on the Victorlabel.Many others followed, often in highly different arrangements.
The royalties from the performances of the work allowed Gade to found a charity to help young Danish musicians, called Jacob Gade's Legat.
Vera Bloomlater wrote Englishlyrics, the song being re-titled with voice as the simple English translation "Jealousy". It too proved popular.
Recordings
Arthur Fiedler and the Boston "Pops" Orchestra recorded a version that was released in November 1943 on V-Disc 52 (VP 161)
Harry Jamesrecorded a version in 1946 (released in 1947) on Columbia37218.
As "Jalousie" the song was released on a single in 1951 by Frankie Lainewith Paul Weston& his Orchestra (Columbia Recordscatalog number 4-39585). A cover-version with amended English lyrics by Billy Furyreached No.2 on the UK singles chart in 1961.
Also in 1961, Esquivel, aka Juan Garcia Esquivel, recorded a popular "space-age" version that later gained even more currency as the soundtrack of a classic Ernie Kovacssketch in which office supplies come to life.
In addition to Bloom's, lyrics in many languages have been fitted to the composition. An English-language version by Billy Furyreached No.2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1961, giving Fury his biggest UK hit single.
In film
With and without vocals the piece by its various names has been used in numerous films,including:
- Don Q, Son of Zorro(1925), starring Douglas Fairbanks
- Anchors Aweigh(1945), a classic Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatramusical
- Conflict(1945), a Humphrey Bogartmystery
- Painting the Clouds with Sunshine(1951)
- Silent Movie(1976), a Mel Brookssatire
- Death on the Nile(1978), an Agatha Christiemystery
- Brusten Himmel(Swedish film) (1982)
- The Man Who Cried(2000), with Johnny Deppplaying a 1920s gypsy
