But Not for Me is a popular jazz standard written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1930 Broadway musical Girl Crazy. It was introduced on stage by Ginger Rogers, in the role that helped launch her film career. The first recording and theatrical release followed in 1932, by Eddie Quillan and Arline Judge. The tune has been widely covered, with Ella Fitzgerald's 1959 version appearing on Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook and earning the 1960 Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance; Ketty Lester released a 1962 version that charted in the US and UK. The song is regarded as a 1930s jazz standard and will enter the American public domain on January 1, 2026.
