"I've Got You Under My Skin" is a song written by American composer Cole Porter in 1936. It was first performed that year in the Eleanor Powell musical film Born to Dance, where it was sung by Virginia Bruce. The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song but did not win, losing to "The Way You Look Tonight." In 1936, popular recordings of the song were made by Ray Noble and his Orchestra (with vocals by Al Bowlly) and by Hal Kemp and his Orchestra (with vocals by Skinnay Ennis).
Over time, the song has been recorded by hundreds of artists. It became a well-known song for Frank Sinatra, and in 1966, it reached the top 10 on the charts when performed by The Four Seasons. Swedish singer Neneh Cherry had a popular version of the song in Europe for the 1990 Red Hot + Blue charity album.
Versions by Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra first sang "I've Got You Under My Skin" in 1946 during a radio show. He performed it as the second part of a combination of songs that included "Easy to Love."
In 1956, Sinatra recorded a studio version of the song with Nelson Riddle’s orchestral arrangement. The recording included Irv Cottler on drums and a slide trombone solo by Milt Bernhart. This version was made at Capitol's Melrose Avenue studios for his album Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!. Other musicians on the album were George Roberts (bass trombone) and Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet). Additional instruments included five saxophones, two more trombones, three more trumpets, double bass, two acoustic guitars, and 16 orchestral string instruments. The session was produced by Voyle Gilmore and engineered by John Palladino. Gilmore later produced The Four Seasons’ version of the song. Riddle, the arranger, said the music was inspired by Maurice Ravel’s Boléro. Fans of Sinatra often consider this recording one of his best works with Riddle’s orchestra.
In 1963, Sinatra re-recorded "I've Got You Under My Skin" for his album Sinatra's Sinatra, which featured songs he loved. This time, the trombone solo was performed by Dick Nash because Milt Bernhart was not available.
A live version of the song appears on the 1966 album Sinatra at the Sands, where Sinatra performed with Count Basie and his orchestra.
Another version of the song is a duet featuring Sinatra and U2’s lead singer, Bono. This version was included on Sinatra’s 1993 Duets album. The track was released together with U2’s song "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" as a "double A-side." The single reached number four on the UK charts.
Frank Sinatra often performed "I've Got You Under My Skin" in his concerts. His son, Frank Sinatra Jr., continued this tradition.
The song was used as the opening theme for the 2015 video game Batman: Arkham Knight.
Neneh Cherry version
Swedish singer-songwriter and rapper Neneh Cherry released her version of "I've Got You Under My Skin" as the first single from the Red Hot + Blue charity album in September 1990. The song reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. It also became a top-10 hit in Greece and entered the top 20 in the Netherlands and Sweden. Music critics praised the song highly. The music video was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. Cherry changed most of the original lyrics to a rap about people living with AIDS and how society treats them. She kept only the first four lines of the original lyrics by Cole Porter and the line "Use your mentality, wake up to reality."
William Ruhlmann from AllMusic called the song one of the most "radical reinterpretations" on the Red Hot + Blue album. David Browne from Entertainment Weekly said the song has special urgency in Cherry's "strong, bass-heavy version," which begins with a rap about AIDS. Paul Lester from Melody Maker wrote that the song is "very different from the original jazz-style piano version loved by many singers." He described the song as starting with a rap, followed by a bass rhythm similar to the song "White Lines," and then using sounds like steel beats and programmed claps. A European music magazine, Music & Media, called the version "deep and thoughtful" and praised its production for the Jungle Brothers' Baby Afrika Bambaataa.
Nick Robinson from Music Week said the song has a "dark mood and serious topic," but it is effective. Gavin Martin from New Musical Express wrote that Cherry's changes show her talent and combine sensitivity with strong language in a mysterious way. Parry Gettelman from the Orlando Sentinel noted that Cherry's version "rewrites" the song and adds a hip-hop message about safe sex. James Hunter from Rolling Stone said Cherry's creative changes set the tone for the album. Marc Andrews from Smash Hits said this track is the best at sharing the album's message. Chris Norris from Spin praised Cherry's version as "chillingly metaphorical" and creative.