Baubles, Bangles and Beads is a popular song from the 1953 Broadway musical Kismet, written by George Forrest and Robert Wright, and based on Alexander Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2 in D major - Scherzo. In Kismet the melody keeps Borodin’s 3/4 waltz rhythm, while many pop versions use a four-beat accompaniment. The first live performance was on August 17, 1953 by Doretta Morrow, Richard Oneto and chorus, and Peggy Lee made the first and best selling recording on September 16, 1953. The tune quickly became a standard and has been featured on numerous albums, including Gerry Mulligan’s Boston 1956, Wes Montgomery’s Fingerpickin’ 1957, Lena Horne’s Give the Lady What She Wants 1958, Eydie Gorme’s Gorme Sings Showstoppers 1958, and Frank Sinatra’s Come Dance with Me! 1959, among others. It is widely performed as a show tune and jazz/pop standard, notable for its beguiling melody and rich harmonic structure.
