Yes Sir, That's My Baby

By Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn
1925

An infectious tune that originated in the Roaring '20s, legend has it that the song was inspired by a visit composers Donaldson and Kahn made to the home of the immensely popular entertainer Eddie Cantor. When Cantor's daughter introduced her favorite wind-up toy, which produced a beguiling two-note melody, this led the two men to write the song based around those two notes. It was an instant hit, introduced by Ace Brigode, and has remained beloved ever since.

Lyrics:

Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now

Yes, ma'm, we've decided
No ma'm, we won't hide it
Yes, ma'm, you're invited now

By the way, by the way
When we meet the preacher I'll say

Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now


Recorded By:


Frank Sinatra
Ricky Nelson
Eddie Cantor
Lee Morse
Gene Austin

I'm Sitting on Top of the World

By Ray Henderson, Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young
1925

An anthem of the Roaring '20s, this infectious number was also one of the signature tunes of that musical giant of the Jazz Age, Al Jolson. It has since come to represent the heights of the pre-Depression 1920s, and was ironically used to that effect in the opening of Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong, set after the stock market crash. It can also be heard over the closing credits of the 1995 Richard III starring Ian McKellen.

Lyrics:

I'm sitting on top of the world,
Just rolling along
Just rolling along.

I'm quitting the blues of the world
Just singing a song
Just singing a song.

Glory hallelujah, I just phoned the parson
Hey, pa, get ready to call
Just like humpty dumpty,
I'm going to fall.

I'm sitting on top of the world
Just rolling along
Just rolling along.

Some people have diamonds
And beautiful pearls
While others have children
Just kiddies with curls.

Keep all of your fortunes
Keep all of your fame
I just found a sweetie
Who's changing her name.

I'm sitting on top of the world
just rolling along
just rolling along.

Don't want any millions
I'm getting my share
I've only got one suit (one suit)
That's all I can wear
A bundle of money won't make you feel gay
A sweet little honey is making me say.

I'm sitting on top of the world
just rolling along
just rolling along.

Recorded By:

Art Gillham
Les Paul & Mary Ford
Dean Martin
Dizzy Gillespie
Doris Day

Always

By Irving Berlin

1925

The great Irving Berlin composed this timeless love song as a wedding gift to his bride Ellin McKay (he even presented her with all the royalties). It was intended to be included in the 1927 Marx Brothers stage musical The Cocoanuts, but Berlin himself cut it during try-outs. It would reappear 15 years later as the theme music for the Lou Gehrig biopic The Pride of the Yankees.

Lyrics:

Everything went wrong,

And the whole day long,

I'd feel so blue.

For the longest while,

I'd forget to smile,

Then I met you.

Now that my blue days have passed,

Now that I've found you at last...

I'll be loving you,

Always.

With a love that's true,

Always.

When the things you've planned,

Need a helping hand,

I will understand,

Always, always.

Days may not be fair,

Always.

That's when I'll be there,

Always.

Not for just an hour,

Not for just a day,

Not for just a year,

But always.

Recorded By:

Sarah Vaughan & Billy Eckstine

Frank Sinatra

Maude Maggart

Billy Corgan

Leonard Cohen

Tea for Two

By Vincent Youmans & Irving Caesar
1925

This well-remembered tune was written for the infamous musical No, No, Nanette, the non-musical version of which had been financed six years earlier by Red Sox owner Harry Frazee with money he got from selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees. It became a common selection among tap dancers (who could forget Daffy Duck's soft shoe?), and was later revived by Doris Day in the 1950 movie of the same name. Lyricist Caesar would later claim the words were originally intended only as filler.

Lyrics:

I'm discontented with homes that I've rented,
So I have invented my own.
Darling, this place is a lovely oasis,
Where life's weary taste is unknown.
Far from the crowded city,
Where flowers pretty caress the stream.
Cozy to hide in, to live side by side in,
Don't let it apart in my dream--

Picture you upon my knee,
Just tea for two,
And two for tea.
Just me for you,
And you for me alone.

Nobody near us, to see us or hear us,
No friends or relations,
On weekend vacations.
We won't have it known, dear,
That we own a telephone, dear...

Day will break and I'll awake,
And start to bake a sugar cake,
For you to take for all the boys to see.

We will raise a family,
A boy for you,
And a girl for me.
Can't you see how happy we would be?

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Tony Bennett
Neil Diamond
Duke Ellington
Blossom Dearie

Manhattan

By Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
1925

With its very witty lyric, "Manhattan" (not "I'll Take Manhattan") was written for the parody stage revue Garrick Gaieties--the first collaboration of Rodgers & Hart (in fact, this was the first hit song for the famous duo). In the show, the tune was introduced by Sterling Holloway, best known today as the voice of Winnie-the-Pooh. Although the song was typically recorded in abbreviated form, below are the full extended lyrics from the original production.

Lyrics:

Summer journeys to Niag'ra
And to other places aggravate all our cares.
We'll save our fares.
I've a cozy little flat in
What is known as old Manhattan.
We'll settle down,
Right here in town.

We'll have Manhattan,
The Bronx and Staten Island, too.
It's lovely going through the zoo.

It's very fancy
On old Delancey Street, you know.
The subway charms us so,
When balmy breezes blow,
To and fro.

And tell me what street
Compares with Mott Street in July,
Sweet pushcarts gently gliding by?

The great big city's a wondrous toy
Just made for a girl and boy --
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy.

We'll go to Greenwich,
Where modern men itch to be free,
And bowling green you'll see with me.

We'll bathe at Brighton,
The fish you'll frighten when you're in.
Your bathing suit so thin
Will make the shellfish grin,
Fin to fin.

I'd like to take a
Sail on Jamaica Bay with you,
And fair Canarsie's lakes we'll view.

The city's bustle cannot destroy
The dreams of a girl and boy --
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy.

We'll go to Yonkers,
Where true love conquers in the wilds,
And starve together, dear, in Childs'.

We'll go to Coney,
And eat bologny on a roll.
In central park we'll stroll,
Where our first kiss we stole,
Soul to soul.

And South Pacific
Is a terrific show, they say.
We both may see it close some day.

The city's clamor can never spoil
The dreams of a boy and goil --
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy.

We'll have Manhattan,
The Bronx and Staten Island too.
We'll try to cross Fifth Avenue.

As black as onyx
We'll find the Bronix Park Express.
Our Flatbush flat, I guess,
Will be a great success,
More or less.

A short vacation
On Inspiration Point we'll spend,
And in the station house we'll end.

But civic virtue cannot destroy
The dreams of a girl and boy --
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Bobby Short
The Supremes
Blossom Dearie
Tony Bennett