"Miss Otis Regrets" (Ethel Waters, 1934)

[Shabannie]

This song always makes me laugh. Thank you for posting this.

---------Ellen

[chrisburke52]

A gorgeous reminder of a bygone age that my parents would quote from. Don't you just love Cole Porter and Ethel Waters.

[DenzellMachai1998]

Carmen Mcrae did this song totally better im so sorry to say but this was not the best ive heard of this song

[Diosprometheus]

This strange song about a mob lynching was originally written for Ada "Bricktop" Smith. Django also wrote the song Brick Top about her. This is a great version.

[Merna201]

miss otis regrets she's unable to lunch today....

i love both ella's and ethel's...

[seanandnaim]

as much as i love Ella this evokes all the emotions needed for this song

[waynebrasler]

A supreme artist, Ethel Waters had to fight tooth and nail for every success she achieved in show business. When Lena Horne found she was making a film with Waters she heard terrible stories of how Waters treated other women in shows, especially beautiful younger women. But as it turned out nothing happened. Horne respected Waters and many people felt Waters realized that. And they didn't have that much contact making the film.

[themostbeautifulone]

Wow. I've never heard anything like that. Haunting and beautiful in its simplicity and the emotion she put in the last few words... She actually told a story.

[ccaammiiittoo1]

Without doubt, Ethel Waters is a consummate storyteller -- in the musical form. The tone is apt. The diction, superb. And the music doesn't overwhelm the storyteller. Like her contemporary, Lena Horne, is a highly visual storyteller. Both women are better appreciated without the mike in hand. You see, both storytell with the ENTIRE body, with heavy emotional expression coming from the face, singing with eyes wide open and looking directly at the audience. Wow!!!

[fukuinerd]

Killer!

[renascencewoman]

ella fitzgerald does this on songbooks for cole porter

[msgo4245]

Luv it!!!

[paulostroff99]

Awesome! TY.

[5601mason]

Fantastic! another good version is by The Jack Jackson Band

Terry

[mochaman15]

OMG I looooooooooooove this. I love Bette Midler's version too. Thanks for posting this.

[Sukkii25]

This is wonderful, Mochaman have you listened to Kirsty Macolls version with the Pogues, I confess that is where I first heard it. But Kirsty is no longer with us, she died in a freak boating accident, RIP on of Scotlands finest

[greengringo2003]

I love this beautiful, mysterious, timely song.

[wavesnearmyhome]

Its a priviledge to listen to this song.

[bobinobaker]

Ethel Waters and Alberta Hunter sings the best version of this song in this time 1930/40...

[stlivermore]

One of Cole Porter's most poignant and characteristic numbers done almost true to character, what a great surprise to find. Thanx for sharing..

[JCJasion]

This is one honey of a Decca.

[grefaroo2]

I too would like to thank you for posting this poignant song sung by Ethal Waters. Though now 70 years of age, I have never had opportunity until this evening. The voice is magical; the song, one that has stuck with me through the ages.

Many thanks from a woman who was young once.....

[paulostroff99]

Awesome! As good as any ever recorded!

[nmbookie]

Ethel Waters does this as well as anyone. Music is a matter of taste, of course, but Middler and Labelle just seem to be screeching, to me. Ella?, well, she was great, too.

[beboplula3]

The contrast between the smoothness of melody + the version of miss otis' servant, on one side, and the rawness of the plot, on the other, is one of the clearest evidences of Porter's incomparable genius that I know.

[sleeper554]

shes unable to lunch today because she's hanging from a tree...

[7jack7]

Great song diminished by the herky jerky treatment of Miss Ethel's photo.

Thanks fer nuthin'

[scapegoat321]

Petty comment.

Werx great w/ the feel of the song...

Thx for posting...

[TheCharleycat]

ooh one of my fave songs. is ethal waters the first

woman to cover this song?

[gilraenn29]

very nice, but the most moving and simply beautiful rendition is Ella Fitzgerald.

[owlzguy]

Legend has it that Cole Porter was bragging to a friend that he could write a song about anything. So the friend picked up an invitation containing the title words from Porter's desk and challenged him to write a song around it. I think Porter succeeded admirably.

[mrdmack2008]

The Labelle version is the Best to me!! Hands down!!

[potatoepeter1]

very , very, very good music, absolut

[Somepeople]

Thanks for posting - this is one of my favorite Waters songs. Somehow she manages to weave in the formality, the pathos and (by singing it straight) the sly humor of this song. I believe this was the first recorded version, and I have never heard better. Many of those who covered it, including Ella, Bette Midler and Labelle, were Waters admirers.

[mandragorra]

I appreciate this version! I grew up with the Bette Midler version, but I enjoy both versions.

[thurberdrawing]

Absolutely my favorite version of this song

[ashurstopera]

I never tire from hearing this by any singer - it defies barriers and genre.

[HR5308]

Remarkable nice song! Thanks!

[aubrey1015]

Ella kills this performance she sounds like a soul less entertainer compared to Ella. This rendition is weak at best.

[retepnalon]

your talking rubbish

[MamaCharisma1021]

Nothing beat Patti Austin 2009 performance at te\he statmore. She b\killled.

[bobinobaker]

Ethel Waters,Alberta Hunter,Ella,Billie Holliday,ect...never comes back....

[silversleep731]

Labelle has a version of this song on their new album, "Back to Now." I like it ^_^

[papoocanada]

beautiful song - a classic

[InuitInua]

I knee I had to look up this song when I read about it in Bricktop's autobiography.

[kenjn60]

my favorite version of this song. Thank you!

[thelawler]

Try and find "The Flys" version from their unsigned album when they were known as Mozart, it's brilliant!

[LittleBrotherBlues]

I posted a video breaking down the chords for guitar on my channel fyi only, thanks for posting this wonderful recording

[SamKisses08]

I like this version... it's such a sad song (the sadest song I've ever heard), and I can't take it seriously in an up tempo beat lol. Thanks for uploading!

[emb1st]

God Bless you Ethel........you did good!!

[o0dballu]

I think I prefer the Ella Fitzgerald version, with piano =]

[ROOBIEzacefronfan]

i do a dance to this song ahaha

[HR5308]

Great!!!!

[montannea2]

One of my favorites! Thanks.

[jewellrian27]

I am 27 yrs. old, and you would not believe it but my uncle always talks about Ethel Waters, and you gave me the opportunity to hear one of the greatest singers that ever walked the earth. i want to Thank You for posting, it was GREATLY appreciated. I have a new appreciation for the music in this era, and I will be looking forward to more of your postings.

Ethel Waters........A name tattooed on my heart.

[RReady555]

Thanks, Jewell! Wish I had more of Ethel's early work to upload... ;)

Best wishes,

-RR

[m0bin100]

@RReady555 It's a beautiful, poignant song and tenderly sung.

unfortunately the file has become corrupted.

[m0bin100]

@jewellrian27 The great pity is Jewell that the recording has become corrupted.

[SouthernWasp]

@jewellrian27 Yes I would believe you!

Thank God you have an uncle like my niece does!

And thank the good Lord that YOU had the sense to listen!

Now do your ancsetry a favor and pass it on.

Also, teach your daughters how to tie a bow tie!

You may think this is silly but it is the ONE thing that will seperate your daughter from the "common" girls!

Whores can't tie a bow tie! ONLY a lady can!!!!

[Daisy4dk]

Thank you for posting this excellent song. Goes straight to my favorites.

[RReady555]

Thanks so much, Daisy...Ethel had a long and amazing career--have always loved her work in "Cabin in the Sky".

Best,

-RR

[mrdee11091]

thanks rr such gems stand the test of time and yet still hold a ear in todays market

[RReady555]

I applaud your taste, Paul. "Classic" means "Timeless". Folks in 2508 will still be whistling this one... ;)

Kindest wishes,

-RR

[lordmahan11]

wow, this song suprised me. Good tune!

[RReady555]

Heh, heh! But her etiquette was above reproach...

-RR

[Corrie121]

Love it!

Thanks for the info and for sharing this gem.

[RReady555]

Thanks, Corrie...it's always been one of my best beloved Porter tunes. ;)

Regards,

-RR