Mean to Me (Ahlert/Turk)

Mean to Me

Another difficult one. Often attributed to Ruth Etting, but she wasn't the first to record it. Here's the chronology I found so far:

1929-02-10 Ben Bernie & His Orchestra (Brunswick 4274)

1929-02-20 Gay Ellis & Her Orchestra (Harmony 859 H)

1929-02-25 Sam Lanin & His Troubadours (Romeo 905)

1929-03-06 Ted Wallace Campus Boys (Columbia 1756D)

1929-03-06 Helen Morgan (Victor 21930) Added in the meantime

1929-03-11 Ruth Etting (Columbia 1762D) Added in the meantime as the original

1929-03-12 Leo Reisman & His Orchestra (Victor 21921)

1929-03-15 Majestic Dance Orchestra (Perfect 15141

1929-03-15 Dorsey Brothers Orchestra (Okeh 41210)

1929-03-22 Lou Gold & His Orchestra (Banner 6348)

+ many other versions that year.

So Ben Bernie is currently the original, but I can't find a link between Bernie and Ahlert/Turk. The song might also originate from a musical..

Can anyone help me out?

Last edit: 2013-06-14 22:10:58 UTC by Limbabwe

Ahlert and Turk were professional songwriters who sold their songs to whoever wanted them. They are definitely credited on the 78 - scan included with release. The Ben Bernie version has been added and set as first recording. The table still displays Ruth Etting as first. I don't know how the Ruth Etting version was determined to be first release, so it's been left as that, though I find that doubtful.