Show Synopsis:
Vy disguises herself as a man in 1940s Harlem so that she will be taken seriously as a songwriter by Duke Ellington, a band leader. Duke asks "Vy-man" to present a song to his ex-girlfriend Lady Liv so that she will fall in love with Duke again, but she ends up falling in love with Vy-man instead. Meanwhile, many performers at the Cotton Club convince their manager Rev to learn to scat to earn Liv's heart. Eventually, the comedy of errors resolves itself.
Character:
Vy, a young and optimistic singer-songwriter who will do anything to succeed; stubborn.
Duke, a successful band leader in Harlem pining for Lady Liv.
Fun Facts:
1) The plot of this musical was loosely based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and the title is taken from the opening line: "If music be the food love, play on."
2) This song was also included in a Broadway musical revue of Duke Ellington's songs called Sophisticated Ladies that ran from 1981 to 1983.
3) Mercedes Ellington, who choreographed this production on Broadway, was Duke Ellington's granddaughter.
"Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
When trumpets heat up, gimme a rug to beat up.
Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
Hit me with a hot note and watch me burn.
Slap me down with rhythm from stem to stern.
When saxes flare up, how can I keep my hair up?
Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
Start those trombones slidin'
While I gather steam.
Keep that tempo ridin'
And I'll come in right on the beam.
Oh, hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
Knock me out with music in great amounts.
Oh, let that beat wave, we're gonna have a heatwave.
Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
Start those trombones slidin'
While I gather steam.
Keep that tempo ridin'
Ridin'
Keep it ridin'.
Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce.
Knock me out with music in great amounts.
Oh, let that beat wave, we're gonna have a heatwave.
Hit me-
Hit me with a hot note-
Hit me with a hot note and watch me bounce."