"Baubles, Bangles & Beads" is a popular song from the 1953 musical Kismet, credited to Robert Wright and George Forrest. Background Like almost all the music in that show, the melody was based on works by Alexander Borodin, in this case the second theme of the second movement of his String Quartet in D. The "Kismet" setting maintains the original's 3/4 waltz rhythm; pop music settings change the rhythm to a moderate four-beat accompaniment. Jazz musicians are especially drawn to the song's beguiling melody and advanced harmonic structure. The familiar AA'BA+Coda structure of the song is energized by a key change up a major third interval for every section; the transition is marked by a harmonic progression from the central major key of one section to the tritone minor key of the following section. 1953 recordings The best-selling version of the song was recorded by Peggy Lee on September 16, 1953 and charted briefly that year. Other versions were recorded that year by Lu Ann Simms and Georgia Gibbs. Other recordings The song has appeared on numerous albums over the years including: Dionne Warwick - On Stage and in the Movies (1967) Eydie Gorme - Gorme Sings Showstoppers (1958) Frank Sinatra - Come Dance with Me! (1958), Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim (1967) The Kirby Stone Four re-make hit No. 25 in the Billboard Top 100 in 1958 and remains a favorite on adult standard stations. Johnny Mathis - So Nice (1966) June Christy - The Cool School (1960) Kay Starr - Movin' on Broadway (1960) Gerry Mulligan - Recorded in Boston at Storyville (1956) Wes Montgomery - Fingerpickin' (1957) Lena Horne - Give the Lady What She Wants (1958) Sarah Vaughan - You're Mine You (1962) Eumir Deodato recorded an instrumental in a popular LP of 1972 called Prelude. Zoot Sims - Soprano Sax (1976) Benny Carter - Benny Carter Meets Oscar Peterson (1986) Argentine composer Ernesto Acher mixed the scherzo of Borodin's string quartet with this piece of music, under the name "Borodin, Bangles & Beads" in 1987 on his album Juegos Chet Atkins - Travelin' (Chet Atkins album) (1963) References 1954 songs Songs from musicals Songs written by Robert Wright (writer) Songs written by George Forrest (author) Benny Goodman songs