First lines of "Autumn in New York"

tst...@natsys.fr

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Dec 31, 1997, 3:00:00 AM12/31/97

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I was just listening to Ella F. and Louis A. singing "Autumn in New
York," and not for the first time I wonder about the first couplet. I
hear it this way:

Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first nighting.

Surely this can't be right. "First nighting"? What on earth?

Any input welcome. Happy New Year.

- Tom Storer

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BOBVL

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Dec 31, 1997, 3:00:00 AM12/31/97

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>Subject: First lines of "Autumn in New York"
>From: tst...@natsys.fr
>Date: Wed, Dec 31, 1997 04:51 EST
>Message-id: <883561577....@dejanews.com>

>
>I was just listening to Ella F. and Louis A. singing "Autumn in New
>York," and not for the first time I wonder about the first couplet. I
>hear it this way:
>
>Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
>Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first nighting.
>
>Surely this can't be right. "First nighting"? What on earth?
>
>Any input welcome. Happy New Year.
>
>- Tom Storer

>========================================
FROM BOBVL'
I have a Japanese issue of the eponymous CD-- Autumn in New York by Jo
Stafford (TOCJ 5770)---(and BTW, EMI in the UK has just issued a double CD of
this),
like most Japanese issues the CD includes a text sheet (very civilized) and the
lyrics are correct..i.e. First Nighting.

and continues "Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds" etc.
First nighting is a contrived verb , meaning attending the premiere of a show..
Hope this clears up the etymological conundrum.
Bobvl

>-------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====-----------------------
> http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet

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Gordon Rairdin

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Dec 31, 1997, 3:00:00 AM12/31/97

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"First Nighting" was more than just attending, it was the apex of being in,
of being of the smart set, of being very "in", ---many., many years ago
there was a radio program that told of "Mr. and Mrs. First Nighter...I often
thought that Lamont Cranston, the Shadow, had to be a first nighter, as were
no doubt, Cary Grant, 'Nick and Nora Charles,...in fact, a whole bunch of
those 30-'s movies bespoke of the type that could/would be "first nighters".

Vernon Duke of Autumn In New York knew well of what he wrote, I'm sure!

BOBVL wrote in message <19971231140...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

Leo Scanlon

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Jan 1, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/1/98

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tst...@natsys.fr wrote:

>I was just listening to Ella F. and Louis A. singing "Autumn in New
>York," and not for the first time I wonder about the first couplet. I
>hear it this way:

>Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
>Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first nighting.

>Surely this can't be right. "First nighting"? What on earth?

"First-nighting" refers to going to a Broadway show on its opening
night. It's a big event, thus the "thrill".

Leo

CHAZZSAL

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Jan 2, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/2/98

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>"First Nighting" was more than just attending, it was the apex of being in,
>of being of the smart set, of being very "in", ---many., many years ago
>there was a radio program that told of "Mr. and Mrs. First Nighter...

Way to go Gordo. Olin Soulee and Barbara Ludde (pardon the spelling), were two
of the cast members on Mr First Nighter and would be very happy that you
remembered the program.