Mad about the Boy
I came across this a while ago and thought I’d save it for a rainy day. Today is very rainy indeed so here it is. Mad about the Boy was written by Noel Coward and published in 1932. It’s a song about an infatuation with a movie star and has generally been performed by female singers, although it was apparently inspired by Coward’s own crush on Douglas Fairbanks Jnr (which wasn’t reciprocated). The song became popular again in 1992 when a version recorded by Dinah Washington was used in a famous Levi commercial, but I love this wonderfully world-weary performance by Greta Keller.
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In the Dark 
February 6, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Did Douglas Fairbanks Jnr know of Coward’s crush on him? I remember the Levi ad version very well, I thought it was really well done.
February 6, 2014 at 10:25 pm
I have no idea. The two were very good friends, and there can have been no doubt about Noel Coward’s sexuality, but it’s possible the matter was never discussed. Since there was no possibility of a sexual relationship, perhaps Coward decided to concentrate on cultivating other aspects of their friendship? I don’t think there’s any harm at all in having a crush on another person even if nothing can become of it. I’m glad I’m not too old to have the odd daydream of that kind myself from time to time.
February 6, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Oh agree. Crushes are part of the joy of life. Sometimes knowing they won’t / can’t become reality is part of their charm.
February 6, 2014 at 10:47 pm
It’s more than just charm, I think. I think it’s an important lesson in life to learn that not all kinds of love actually need to be requited.
February 7, 2014 at 6:14 am
Indeed!
July 22, 2023 at 2:22 pm
He sometimes responded that he thought it was about Gary Cooper probably with more than a touch of irony.