Who Cares? is a song written by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin for the 1931 Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing. It was introduced by William Gaxton and Lois Moran in the original production. The lively show tune has since become a jazz standard and has been recorded by many artists, including Fred Astaire with Benny Goodman (1940), Kate Smith (1954), Anita O’Day (1955), Ella Fitzgerald (1959), Judy Garland (1960 and 1961), Cannonball Adderley (1961), Bill Evans (1963), Tony Bennett (1993), Michael Feinstein (1996) and Rufus Wainwright (2007). The song appears on various albums, such as Kate Smith’s 1954 album and Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959). In addition, Balanchine choreographed a ballet titled Who Cares? to Gershwin songs including this one; it premiered in 1970 for the New York City Ballet and celebrates American urban life with jazzy, energetic dancing.
