Treat Me Rough

"Treat Me Rough" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced by William Kent in the 1930 musical Girl Crazy.^[1] It was later sung by June Allyson in the 1943 film version.^[2]

As Larry Starr wrote in his 2010 book on Gershwin, "'Treat Me Rough,' essentially a throwaway comic number that in another composer's hands might have called forth a minimal effort, becomes through Gershwin's artistry a celebration of aggressive rhythmic virtuosity.".^[3] The song's lyrics ask a lover to dominate the singer, even to the point of violence ("Keep on beatin' me");^[4] writer Dan Dietz referred to it as "perhaps the first musical comedy ode to masochism."^[5]

Notable recordings

• Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959)