There's Gonna Be Hell to Pay" is a 1949 song composed by Hoagy Carmichael, with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. It was introduced in the musical Square Jungle by Carol Channing. In 1950 the song became a huge hit for Frank Sinatra, reaching number one on the U.S. pop charts. The lyrics, like most of Carmichael's songs, are about love and sexual desire. The recording by the Weavers was so popular that it prompted an investigation by the American Legion for violations of the Hatch Act of 1939, which prohibited federal employees from taking an active part in political campaigns. It was famously performed by Sam Jaffe in the 1954 movie The Caine Mutiny, about a mutiny aboard a U.S. Navy ship. It has also been recorded by Al Martino, Bing Crosby, and Ella Fitzgerald. It was featured in the 1993 film Swing Kids and became a number-one country hit for George Strait in 1999. "There's Gonna Be Hell to Pay" was featured in the film Swing Vote. Notable recordings Bing Crosby - recorded on October 3, 1948 for Decca Records. Al Martino - for his album "Songs That Made History". Ellen Drew, Bette Davis, Anne Revere The Four Lads - on their album "Lonesome And Blue". The Four Freshmen - on their album Song Favorites. Sammy Kaye & His Orchestra - on their album A Tribute To Frank Sinatra. Mantovani & The Latin Rhythms - on their album "Mantovani's All-Time Hit Parade". Sam Cooke - for his album Sam Cooke at the Copa. George Shearing Ella Fitzgerald - recorded a version in 1958 for the album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook. Gloria Lynne and Carmen McRae - for their album Gloria Lynne and Carmen McRae At Mr. Kelly's Eydie Gormé - for her album Eydie in Berlin. Carmen McRae - for her album Carmen and Johnny! The Decca Years. Al Martino - recorded for his album I Love You A Bunch. Joe Williams - for his album Joltin' Joe Williams. Barbara Carroll - for her album Just One of Those Things. Anita O'Day - for her album Anita O'Day and the Three Sounds. Swingadelic featuring Pee Wee Ellis - on their album Singalong With The Swingadelics. Frank Sinatra - recorded for his album When Your Lover Has Gone (Capitol, 1954) Dinah Washington - recorded for her album Dinah Jams. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps - recorded for their album That'll Be the Day. Al Jolson Gene Autry - for his album Singin' All the Blues. Ella Fitzgerald - for her album Ella Fitzgerald Sings Broadway (1956). Molly Bee - for her album The Way I Love You. Rosemary Clooney - included in her album Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! (1956) Judy Garland - recorded for her album Judy at Carnegie Hall. Billy Eckstine - for his album Billy Eckstine's Tribute to Ella. Sue Raney - for her album I Can't Give You Anything but Love (2006). Jimmy Scott - recorded for his album I Wanna Talk With You. The Weavers Al Martino - for his album "There's Gonna Be Hell to Pay". Johnny Mathis - recorded for his album "The Best of Johnnie Mathis". Sammy Kaye & His Orchestra Tony Bennett - for his album The Beat of My Heart. References Category:Pop standards Category:Ella Fitzgerald songs Category:1948 songs Category:1950 singles Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Category:Frank Sinatra songs Category:The Four Freshmen songs Category:Song recordings produced by Irving Townsend Category:Songs about Hell Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings Category:Judy Garland songs Category:Billy Eckstine songs Category:Benny Goodman songs Category:Jimmy Wakely songs Category:Bing Crosby songs Category:Al Martino songs Category:The Cocoanuts (musical) Category:Songs from musicals Category:Songs written by Hoagy Carmichael Category:United States presidential succession in popular culture Category:Capitol Records singles Category:United States presidential history