Can't We Be Friends/ Frank Sinatra

[RigelTheIV]

He is still being the man!

[thejustineaster]

this video literally made me smile. i feel like such a fag and i don't even care. i wish music was still like this

[filmmekker]

Ella does a great Dinah Wasington impression!

[321beth321]

they had beautiful voices and music back then! unlike now, with all these so called "autotune"...

[REGZA86]

Fallout3に流れてそうだ！！

[debbiecakezify]

omg this is cool, i was looking at can't be friends by trey songz & i found this, pretty cool haha & i never heard it til' now lolz<333 sinatra is awesome:)

[TheBoomhahaha2]

Two of my favorite singers ever. :)

[mfalber]

I agree with evensteve284, very interesting to see these two singing a flirty song in this time period. Frank acknowledges all black singers too. I was thinking exactly the same thing. Nothing wrong with pointing these things out.

Musically, this was fun because Ella recorded this at this tempo with Louis Armstrong and Frank recorded it as a sweeping ballad. It's a fun lyric because it could go either way flirty and fun or downtrodden. It was great to see this.

[evensteve284]

@mfalber Thanks for pointing out the different styles that Frank & Ella preformed this song in when doing it by themselves. I learned something today!

[DAGUY]

Two of my favorites of all time.

[MsJazzkitty]

Frank is too hot for words ....sigh.

[paulhughes1379]

what dvd is this from?



[golfbeast19]

lol Frank had some Jungle FEVER! Love them both.

[SherryBobbins1431]

Does anyone know if there is a recorded copy of this for sale somewhere?

[CAMdarkangel]

Now, this is great music!

[LadyKateChanteuse]

Truly a meeting of the Great Summit! Does it get better than this? (I don't know...maybe if they could get Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby in on it...) I love Ella's Dinah impression...it's spot on!

[FAIRWAY18]

Simply bloody wonderful

[filmmekker]

Ella's Dinah Washington impression is perfect!

[craignshari]

Thanks for posting. Awesome to see such fun in two great singers.

[Cassie86R]

very cute to of the best Sinatra and Fitzgerald

[hobokendago]

this was a big deal at the time cuz Frank put his arm around Ella.

sounds tame by today's standards,... but Frank didn't care cuz Ella was the queen.and he knew it.

He was told not to do anything like that. but he did.

He didn't care about the repurcussions....

[ibriveadus]

....and the wonderful Nelson Riddle backing....

[msm2you]

Ella's impersonations of the other singers mentioned by Frank are PRICELESS. Unfortunately, many of the "younger" viewers (in quotes as I was born in the 70s) are too young to get the joke - they don't know Pearl etc.

[sarahfehn14]

I know what you mean - and I'm glad I got the references.

That was absolutely priceless!

[theblackparade1039]

I think I was smiling from the time Frank came on, solidly on until the ending.

[greekjazz23]

This guy is singing out of his key range and makes it look so damn easy... freak

[endgammer]

@greekjazz23 Yes he was a freak of nature. Listen to him speak. He sounds like a mumbling idiot. Further evidence that God made him so he can sing.

[KatzenImNebel]

Fantastic performance!

[moviejoe79]

Ella sings so perfectly and it always seems effortless for her. What amazing talent. Probably the best singer ever, certainly of popular music, even Sinatra said so many times.

[Orazioflacco78]

everest and K2 of singing art...

[Gregg30]

Wow, Ella could do great impressions. Her Dinah Washington is spot on!

[ibriveadus]

"Hey, NELS, start to build 'cause we're done"....great line and nod to the great Nelson Riddle!

[hobokendago]

Riddle's arrangements go largely unnoticed and are always in top form behind many of these classic cuts!

[frankieheartsful]

It was very generous of Sinatra to give the colored folks a shot.

[nandobeatles]

troll

[mpkeninu]

Don't destroy wonderful music with you´re senseless discussions of black white issues. There is absolutely nothing racial going on in this video, nothing but two masters of music singing together and enjoying it! You should too!

[evensteve284]

@mpkeninu I have 2agree/disagree This IS Wonderful music 4 sure &I love it. But all kinds of Black & White issues R @ play here. This is circa late 50s early 60s. VERY UNUSUAL 2 C BLACK WOMAN AND WHITE MAN 2GETHER on TV n this time. Every singer Frank mentions n his part of the song/skit is BLACK! He then puts his ARM AROUND HER! They r clearly enjoying each other! I grew up in these times. Trust me, this was viewed as shocking n many minds. Groundbreaking 4 the time. 'Way 2 go Ella & Frank!

[mpkeninu]

@evensteve284 I'm sorry, you're grammar and spelling take away a lot of reason from your reasonable answer. I agree, it is very shocking, for the time and place. But, why are we even discussing how shocking it is 61 years later about black and white issues? It plain and simple, like your spelling: two masterminds enjoying and doing what no one else could manage to do, even now-a-days. Music lives on because of them, regardless skin color.

[evensteve284]

@mpkeninu Thanks 4 ur reply. I don't c how my spelling / grammar take away from my comment, so no need 2 apologize! {;-) &, I’d like 2 point out that n ur 1st comment, u say: “There is absolutely nothing racial going on in this video” & n ur 2nd reply 2 me, u say that it’s “shocking” 4 the time & place. Well that’s what I’m saying; I love the song, the performance, and the talent (2 geniuses!) And I also greatly admire the bravery. I wonder who came up w/ Franks lyrics? They say so much.

[fretbuzz59]

@mpkeninu While I've often admonished people for bad grammar & spelling in their comments, because I agree that a decent command of the language (for native speakers) is often indicative of the capacity for considered thinking, I also realize that YouTube's character limit often requires the use of shorthand, as long as it's not overdone. However, it's ironic that you made the mistake of using "you're" when you meant "your": "you're grammar." Oops!

[Robert4770]

@mpkeninu I agree and on the television special about Franks TV work his son and daughter mentioned he had the utmost adoration and respect for Ella. He considered her his peer 100%.

[MrSonnychristie]

@mpkeninu Most don't understand this, but their ungratefulness falls short of such greatness. Thankfully.

[ShamelessMCRFan]

@mpkeninu when i first read that i thought you meant the black-and-white-ness of the video, i didn't even consider the colour of their skin =) i love this song

[KarimaDaCrop]

the conversation got so deep i wonder were ya'll listening i close my eyes listen and Race never comes into the picture eve...but i think ya'll get that! love them both

[dillistri]

I mean really he can't even touch her and they were friends. i don't care the music is good

[lumineuse1987]

Lady Ella <3

[robertclemon]

I admire sinatras efforts at bringing the best of the best to a position that they so rightfuly desirved... But in reality it was white Americas loss let the truth be told

[charles43110]

Frank had a contract for specials on CBS. He had 100% control. 2 hours long with one guest. He sent shock waves through CBS when he announced he was having Ella Fitzgerald on one as his only guest. NEVER DONE BEFORE. Many CBS stations refused to air it. They sang several love song duets. But the show was incredible, and won several awards. And the "color line" was broken on TV.

He did the same thing in Vegas with Sammy Davis Jr.

The smile on his face here is real.

[56Johnny]

that's not correct I heard sammy was even in the sixties not allowed to play in the casino they were singing

[charles43110]

You "heard"??? Son, I was there!!!  Sinatra told them he would not perform. The Rat Pack includes Sammy. People not understanding thought he was being put down when Frank would pick up Sammy and carry him on stage. It was symbolism. Everybody "inside" knew.

Just like what he did to CBS with Ella.

Only he had that much in your face power.

[hammerhead0519]

Poifect!

[kokede]

this is brilliant

we're blessed to be able to listen to them sing again.

[darkjak224]

...FITZGERALD?

[charles43110]

Look on youtube for clips of Sinatra -Ella Fitzgerald

Ella - those clips with her- several are from their race smashing duet special where many CBS stations refused to carry it.

It knocked down barriers to blacks being equal to whites on camera. They sang several love ballads. All of USA talked about it for weeks.

[Gandul70]

simply the greatest singers of all time at jazz and pop music ....genius at all.

[leonesisima]

marvelous!!!, we must remember that in the 50s whit men didn't show up with black women.

so, sinatra made a nice work of racial integration.

I love them

[TunesByTanzil]

Yup! It's fantastic, peak of racism. Frank was such a fantastic guy!

[sailorpunkgirl]

definitly and he totally helped the image for white people. I'm white and It's always wierd around one of my black friends because she can't get over what happened before I was born it's slightly hurtful.

[TunesByTanzil]

hahaha yer i know what you mean, i'm brown (sub continent mix) and i can relate BUT i think Obama as pres really brought people together :)

[sailorpunkgirl]

I'm so happy there's a black president. Ya Obama's a good president, but the sheer fact that we've come so far as a country in such little time is amazing. haha i totally wish i had dark skin sometimes. its sooooo pretty!

[dillistri]

aww shucks, poor dear... never mind those darkies. taking offense to being lynched and all. no big deal..

[sailorpunkgirl]

But it's not like I did it. She needs to get over what happened. People are always going to enslave eachother. race is just an excude so I dont know why people are still complaining about it.

[hammerhead0519]

I'm a white southerner. Steroeotyped nd belittled. I feel you. White Racism ended years before I even came to be.

[sailorpunkgirl]

it must be especially harsh in the south ouch i am so glad you get me. im paying for the mistakes of my ppl the misunderstood actions of my religion and the fact that i have no rhythm(sp?)

[hammerhead0519]

I know. As a moderatly conservative republican, AND a protestant, it's almost expected.

[sailorpunkgirl]

doesn't that blow? I feel so cheated. Every one expects so many negative things from me they never get the chance to know what kind of person i am. i'm glad i have a kindred soul hammerhead0519. thanx!

[emory60187]

although you yourself are probably not a blatant racist...this comment you made can be taken that way simply because of it's ignorance. Contrary to your statement, white racism never ended. Neither has black racism for that matter. Yes, race relations are ever-improving, but you better believe some people who saw these 2 on stage together had a problem with it. And even now, some would probably think Ella wasn't worthy to share the stage with Sinatra, although she is 1 of the best ever

[hammerhead0519]

What I meant, was Racism no longer plays a role in our daily lives. The Klan no longer has any political power. Blacks don't get any special treatment. At least that's what I see. Now, if you'll please excuse me, I'd like to enjoy the video.

[rferenac]

@emory60187 well... also if I like, adore and respect Frank, I think he was the one who wasn't worthy to share the stage with the other one

[dglanterman]

WOW

[moviejoe79]

Watching this makes me wish they did more together. What incredible talent - arguably the two greatest singers of the 20th century. Imagine if they did an album of standards together. It would've been amazing.

[PetrusGM]

simply great!

[aldoarmstrong]

Look at their faces : full of uncomplicated fun... Two of the greatest talents ever, simply enjoying themselves.

[otef434]

@aldoarmstrong Oh without a doubt. Free and care free. Look at all the other recordings Frank did with Ella, pure magic. I cannot get enough folks.

[Robert4770]

@aldoarmstrong Frank and Ella had the utmost respect and admiration for each other

[felicia1882]

Thank you for posting!

[felicia1882]

Thank you for posting!