"No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. In the film, the character played by Astaire is advised to get married and Astaire responds by saying he prefers to remain as a bachelor and he launches into this song and a major dance routine.(Top Hat#Musical numbers and choreography)
Lyrics In me, you see a youth Who is completely on the loose No yens, no yearnings
No strings and no connections No ties to my affections I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy
No dates that can't be broken No words that can't be spoken Especially when I am feeling romancy
Like a robin upon a tree Like a sailor that goes to sea Like an unwritten melody I'm free, that's me
So bring on the big attraction My decks are cleared for action I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy
An alternative opening verse, used by Ella Fitzgerald https://genius.com/Ella-fitzgerald-no-strings-lyrics (and by Astaire on Brunswick recording 7486https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZIjtJjEbH8) is as follows:
I wake up every morning with a smile on my face Everything in its place as it should be I start out every morning just as free as the breeze My cares upon the shelf Because I find myself with
Notable recordings Fred Astaire's 1935 recording for Brunswick (catalog No. 7486) was very popular that year and Astaire recorded it again in 1952 for his album The Astaire Story. Ramona, Ramona and Her Grand Piano, recorded 9/13/1935.Ramona and Her Grand Piano, CD, Old Masters, George Morrow, Echo Productions, Hayward, CA MB 116, liner notes, n/ Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook (1958)
References