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Daria Stefan & The Fat Cats - Tea For Two “Tea for Two,” a delightful composition by Vincent Youmans with lyrics penned by Irving Caesar, first graced the stage in May 1924. It made its debut during the Chicago pre-Broadway run of the musical No, No, Nanette, where it was performed by Phyllis Cleveland and John Barker. The show eventually reached Broadway on September 16, 1925, with Louise Groody taking on the role of Nanette. Her duet with Barker, singing “Tea for Two,” became a resounding hit. This timeless tune went on to be the pinnacle of Youmans’ career. 🎶🎤🎹 **Vincent Youmans**, the creative mind behind “Tea for Two,“ initially conceived the basic melody idea while serving in the navy during **World War I**. He later incorporated it as an introductory passage for a song titled “**Who's Who with You?**“ However, it was during his time in Chicago that Youmans transformed this musical fragment into a delightful tune meant for the hero to serenade the heroine in the musical **No, No, Nanette**. When he played his composition for **Irving Caesar**, the lyrics flowed effortlessly. Caesar quickly jotted down a mock-up lyric, intending to revise it later. Surprisingly, Youmans loved the mock-up and convinced Caesar that it perfectly complemented the melody . As for the origins of the phrase “Tea for Two,“ there's a charming anecdote with limited supporting evidence. It suggests that street hawkers in 18th-century England would shout “Tea for Two“ to attract business by lowering the price of a pot of tea from thruppence to tuppence. While this theory might hold true, the phrase likely became commonplace for couples ordering tea in 19th-century English cafeterias . 🍵🎶 If you’d like to experience the magic of “Tea for Two” once more, check out the captivating jam session by Daria Stefan and the Fat Cats
