Jack Vettriano reveals what the butler sang

Published on Sunday 31 October 2004 01:29

HIS image adorns the walls of thousands of homes across the world, but what the singing butler is actually singing to the dancing couple on the beach has been a mystery until now.

Scots artist Jack Vettriano has finally revealed that his most recognised creation is a Sinatra fan regaling the romantic duo with the jazz favourite ‘Fly Me to the Moon’.

Although Vettriano’s art has never won critical acclaim, his works have captured the public’s imagination and The Singing Butler, painted in 1992, is the best-selling poster in Europe. Earlier this year the original painting sold for 744,800 - a Scottish record.

In the painting, the butler’s face is turned away so it isn’t possible to see what he is doing, but Vettriano said, in his mind, the man is definitely singing.

And when asked which song, the artist replied: "Fly me to the moon, let me sing among those stars... a Sinatra classic."

The song, which was originally entitled ‘In Other Words’, has become a modern classic. It was written in 1954 by Bart Howard and was made famous 10 years later by Frank Sinatra, but has also been performed by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Groove Armada, Doris Day, Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett and many others.

The Singing Butler is thought to account for the 500,000 a year that Vettriano reproductions bring in, but the Fife-born artist said he was amazed at the sum raised by the original when it was sold at auction.