indecent

I understand perfectly that when musical combos such as, for example, gangster rappers use lyrics that are vulgar, profane, obscene, or otherwise offensive. that some broadcasters choose to ban them from their airwaves. But Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians?

If you want an indication of how much our lives have changed in less than a century, consider that the Pennsylvanians' recording of Cole Porter's now-classic "Love for Sale" was banned from radio play in 1931. The song scandalized theatre-goers when it was first performed as part of the Broadway musical "The New Yorkers," based on a story by the New Yorker magazine's star cartoonist Peter Arno and E. Ray Goetz, and starring Jimmy Durante, who also wrote half a dozen of the show's songs. Porter wrote the rest of the music including the song that caused all the trouble, sung by Kathryn Crawford with back-up singers, Waring's Three Girl Friends, in front of a set depicting Reuben's, a popular New York eatery.

Love for sale,
Appetising young love for sale.
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled,
Love that's only slightly soiled,
Love for sale.

Who will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price,
For a trip to paradise?
Love for sale.

Let the poets pipe of love
in their childish way,
I know every type of love
Better far than they.
If you want the thrill of love,
I've been through the mill of love;
Old love, new love
Every love but true love
Love for sale.


One type of criticism the song unleashed, as indicative of the differences between American culture then and now as the radio ban, was partially placated when the producers pulled the young, attractive, and caucasian Crawford and Waring Girls from the performance and gave the part of the prostitute to the Afrcan-American singer and actress Elisabeth Welch, accompanied by suitably black back-up singers and performing in front of a set of Harlem's Cotton Club. For most white Americans in 1930, an attractive white girl playing a hooker onstage was emotionally unacceptable, and if they were not thrilled with a black woman playing the same part, they were more likely to tolerate it.

"The New Yorkers" closed in May of '31 after a relatively short run of 168 performances, but "Love for Sale" turned into one of the biggest hits of the year in spite of the radio ban, or perhaps because of it. Waring's version went to number 14 on the pop music charts, and a version sung by Libby Holman topped out at number five.

To hear a rendition by the Three Waring Girlfriends (without Kathryn Crawford), go here.

Pictured at top: Fred Waring (center) and his Pennsylvanians with their letter sweaters, 1927. Poster designed and illustrated by Peter Arno, who also collaborated in creating the story that would eventually give birth to "The New Yorkers." At left, the three Waring Girl Friends as they appeared in the show. I have been unable to discover their names.