“Well, Did You Evah!” is a song written by Cole Porter for his 1939 musical ‘DuBarry Was a Lady’, where it was introduced by Betty Grable and Charles Walters. The song itself revolves around two wealthy individuals engaging in a playful conversation about their extravagant lifestyles. It satirizes the upper-class society and their lavish parties, capturing the essence of the roaring 1920s and the glamour associated with it. The lyrics tell a story of indulgence and excess, contrasting with the realities of life.
Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra in the movie High Society (recorded in January 1956). Likely the most well-known version of the song, it was added to the movie late in development, to give the two stars an opportunity to sing together. In 1956, this song was released as a B-side single for the song “True Love.” Neither of these songs charted, however.
Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop recorded the song in 1990 for Red Hot + Blue, a compilation album released as part of an HIV/AIDS benefit project. Released as a single in the UK in late December 1990 but not the US. The single reached No. 42 in the UK Singles Chart, and No. 29 in the Irish chart. Revivals of DuBarry or its score were produced in New York, London and San Francisco in 1993, 1996, 2001, and 2014. The 2001 production was recorded by the BBC for broadcast in 2002. All included Well, Did You Evah! using the original lyrics.
A cover of the song was performed by British singer Robbie Williams in collaboration with American actor and comedian Jon Lovitz. The song was parodied for use in Iceland’s Christmas adverts in 2009, sung by Coleen Nolan and Jason Donovan. The song was sung in Week 5 of the television competition series Over the Rainbow by the competing Dorothies, as part of a mash-up with “Wild Thing” by The Troggs and “Get the Party Started” by P!nk.
Marks & Spencer used it in their 2004 Christmas advert on what makes the perfect Christmas cocktail, starring Rachel Stevens, Martine McCutcheon, Gordon Ramsay and Helen Mirren. Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd sang it in the 2004 Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely.
