Let's Face the Music and Dance

By Irving Berlin
1936

Berlin had a long-standing relationship with Fred Astaire, and wrote many of his songs specifically for him. In Follow the Fleet, Astaire introduced this Berlin classic, along with others such as "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket". A very sophisticated number for the often more populist Berlin, this one has really stood the test of time. It's been a favorite of cabaret singers for decades, and the Astaire version was even used in the film Pennies from Heaven, in which it was lip-synched by Steve Martin.

Lyrics:

There may be trouble ahead
But while there's moonlight and music
And love and romance
Let's face the music and dance

Before the fiddlers have fled
Before they ask us to pay the bill
And while we still
Have the chance
Let's face the music and dance

Soon
We'll be without the moon
Humming a diff'rent tune
And then

There may be teardrops to shed
So while there's moonlight and music
And love and romance
Let's face the music and dance
Dance
Let's face the music and dance!

Recorded By:

Mel Torme
Frank Sinatra
Diana Krall
Doris Day
Nat King Cole

When Did You Leave Heaven?

By Richard Whiting & Walter Bullock
1936

A schmaltzy yet irresistible number from the 20th Century Fox musical Sing, Baby, Sing--in which it was introduced by the recently departed Tony Martin, making his film debut at the time. The song became an instant favorite of the big band orchestras of the day. In later decades, it became a lesser heard but beloved standard among a wide range of performers.

Lyrics:

When did you leave Heaven?
How could they let you go?
How's ev'rything in Heaven?
I'd like to know.

Why did you trade Heaven
For all these earthly things?
Where did you hide your halo?
Where did you lose your wings?

Have they missed you?
Can you get back in?
If I kissed you,
Would it be a sin?

I am only human,
But you are so divine.
When did you leave Heaven,
Angel mine?

Recorded By: 

Guy Lombardo Orchestra

Joe Williams

Bob Dylan

Renee Fleming

Louis Armstrong

There's a Small Hotel

By Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
1936

According to lyricist Lorenz Hart's autobiography, this song was inspired by a visit to the historic Stockton Inn in New Jersey. Hart reportedly hated he melody and enjoyed taunting Rodgers by ad-libbing raunchy verses for it. Nevertheless, it is a true Rodgers & Hart charmer, written originally for their musical Billy Rose's Jumbo, but used instead for On Your Toes. It was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson.

Lyrics:

There's a small hotel
With a wishing well...
I wish that we were there, together.

There's a bridal suite,
One room bright and neat...
Complete for us to share, together.

Looking through the window,
You can see that distant steeple.
Not a sign of people -- who wants people?

When the steeple bell says,
"Good night, sleep well,"
We'll thank the small hotel, together.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Benny Goodman
Della Reese
Chet Baker

Where Are You?

By Jimmy McHugh & Harold Adamson
1936

A delightfully moving composition from the McHugh/Adamson team that also gave us such songs as "I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night" and "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening". A favorite of the early Depression years, it was introduced by Gertrude Niesen (pictured) in 1937, and shortly followed by a slew of other artists. Its lilting melody and plaintive lyrics are typical of the era, and the song was admired so much by Frank Sinatra that in 1957 it became the only standard song to ever title one of his albums.

Lyrics:

Where are you
Where have you gone without me
I thought you cared about me
Where are you

Where's my heart
Where is the dream we started
I can't believe we're parted
Where are you

When we said good-bye love
What had we to gain
When I gave you my love
Was it all in vain

All life through
Must I go on pretending
Where is my happy ending
Where are you

Recorded By:

Aretha Franklin
Johnny Mathis
Jack Teagarden
Sonny Rollins
Dinah Washington

Broadway Rhythm

By Nacio Herb Brown & Arthur Freed
1935

Often mistakenly referred to as "Gotta Dance", thanks to the well-known refrain within the lyrics, this song is known to many thanks to its performance by Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain, perhaps the greatest film musical of all time. However, the song originates in the much earlier musical, Broadway Melody of 1936. It was introduced on record that same year by Frances Langford.

Lyrics:

Oh, that Broadway rhythm
Oh, that broadway rhythm
When I hear that happy beat,
Feel like dancing down the street.
To that Broadway rhythm,
Writhing, beating rhythm.
Gotta dance! Gotta dance!
Gotta dance! Gotta dance!

Broadway rhythm it’s got me
Everybody dance
Broadway rhythm it’s got me
Everybody dance!
Out on the gay white way
In each merry cafe,
Orchestras play,
Taking your breath away.
(With a) Broadway rhythm, it’s got me
Everybody sing and dance!

Recorded By:

Guy Lombardo
Gene Kelly
Frances Langford
Caroll Gibbons
Judy Garland

Glad to Be Unhappy

By Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
1936

An example of a song which was not an instant hit, but rather took off decades later. It was originally composed for Rodgers and Hart's stage production On Your Toes, in which it was introduced by Doris Carson & David Morris. But it was not recorded very often at all until the 1950s, possibly having to do with a popular Broadway revival in 1954. Sinatra recorded it immediately after on his In the Wee Small Hours album, and the rest is history. A charming tune with one of the most enjoyable Rodgers and Hart verses.

Lyrics:

Look at yourself,
If you had a sense of humor you would laugh to beat the band.
Look at yourself,
Do you still believe the rumor that romance is simply grand?
Since you took in on the chin,
You have lost that toothpaste grin.
Your mental state is all a-jumble,
You sit at home and sadly mumble.

Fools rush in, so here I am,
Very glad to be unhappy.
I can't win, but here I am,
More than glad to be unhappy.

Unrequited love's a bore,
And I've got it pretty bad.
But for someone you adore,
It's a pleasure to be sad.

Like a straying baby lamb
With no mammy and no pappy,
I'm so unhappy, but oh, so glad.

Recorded By:

The Mamas & The Papas
Billie Holiday
Lena Horne
Nancy Wilson
Carmen McRae

A Fine Romance

By Jerome Kern & Dorothy Fields
1936

An absolutely iconic standard if ever there was one, introduced as so many of them were, by the immortal Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was given to them by the legendary Kern/Fields songwriting team for their film Swing Time, and remains a high benchmark of musical grace and lyrical sophistication. You know how people say, they don't write them like this anymore? Well... they don't write them like this anymore. An infectious classic that epitomizes the precocious side of love.

Lyrics:

A fine romance with no kisses,
A fine romance, my friend, this is.
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes,
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed potatoes.

A fine romance, you won't nestle.
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle.
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants,
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance.

A fine romance, my good fellow.
You take romance, I'll take Jello.
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean,
At least they flap their fins to express emotion.

A fine romance, my dear Duchess,
Two old fogies, we really need crutches.
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France!
I haven't got a chance, this is a fine romance.

A fine romance, my good woman,
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman.
You never give those orchids I send a glance,
They're just like cactus plants,
This is a fine romance

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Frank Sinatra
Judi Dench
Lena Horne

With Plenty of Money and You

By Harry Warren & Al Dubin
1936

An underrated Warren/Dubin gem written for the great Dick Powell for one of his classic 1930s musical screen comedies, The Gold Diggers of 1937. A minor standard, it was very popular in its day, owing largely to the clever Dubin lyric that seems to parody trite love ballads, with the vocalist admitting that in addition to love, he wouldn't mind having a little cash to go along with it... One of my all-time favorites.

Lyrics:

Oh, baby what I couldn't do,
With plenty of money, and you.
In spite of the worry that money brings,
Just a little filthy lucre buys a lot of things.

And I could take you to places you'd like to go,
But outside of that, I've no use for dough.
It's the root of all evil,
Of strife and upheaval.

But I'm certain, honey,
That life could be sunny,
With plenty of money and you.

Recorded By:

Jessica Molaskey & John Pizzarelli
Tony Bennett
The Ink Spots
Chick Bullock & His Levee Loungers
Luke Hill

You Turned the Tables on Me

By Louis Alter & Sidney D. Mitchell
1936

Benny Goodman enjoyed a major hit with this particular song, using gthe beautiful Helen Ward as his singer at the time. Shortly before, the tune had been introduced in the motion picture Sing, Baby, Sing, in which it was performed by Alice Faye. This was the same movie that introduced the gorgeous Richard Whiting/Walter Bullock song, "When Did You Leave Heaven?", sung by Tony Martin. Say, I think I'll do that one next...

Lyrics:

I used to be the apple of your eye,
I had you with me every day,
But now whenever you are passing by
You're always looking the other way.
It's little things like this
That prompt me to say:

You turned the tables on me
And now I'm falling for you;
You turned the tables on me
I can't believe that it's true.

I always thought when you brought
The lovely present you bought
Why hadn't you brought me more,
But now if you'd come
I'd welcome anything
From the five and ten cent store.

You used to call me the top,
You put me up on a throne.
You let me fall with a drop,
And now I'm out on my own.

But after thinking it over and over,
I got what was coming to me.
Just like the sting of a bee,
You turned the tables on me.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Louis Armstrong
Count Basie
Tex Beneke
Ann Hampton Callaway

I've Got You Under My Skin

By Cole Porter
1936

For those keeping score, last Wednesday marked the second anniversary of Standard of the Day, and in honor of this, I present one of the true diamonds of popular song, Cole Porter's timeless classic from the MGM musical Born to Dance, originally sung by Virginia Bruce. Of course, the Chairman of the Board himself, Frank Sinatra, would make this one of his all-time signature tunes thanks to an incredible recording on the 1956 Capitol album, Songs for Swingin' Lovers. The wonderful, rolling melody; the jubilant lyrics; and Sinatra's expertly eloquent phrasing married to Nelson Riddle's jaw-dropping arrangement--for these reasons and more, this composition is a true American treasure.

Lyrics:

I've got you under my skin
I've got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart, that you're really a part of me
I've got you under my skin

I've tried so not to give in
I've said to myself this affair never gonna swing so well
So why should I try to resist, when baby will I know damn well
That I've got you under my skin

I'd sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of having you near
In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear

Don't you know little fool, you'll never win
Why not use your mentality, wake up step up to reality
But each time I do, just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
'Cause I've got you under my skin

Recorded By:

Louis Prima & Keely Smith
Diana Krall
Ella Fitzgerald
Peggy Lee
Dinah Washington

Strange Fruit

By Lewis Allan
1936

Sometimes called the defining song of the 20th century, this powerfully moving indictment of lynchings in the South was composed by Bronx schoolteacher Allan (real name Abel Meeropol), and brought to Billie Holiday, who would make it her signature song, despite protests from her record label, which refused to allow her to record it. She recorded it independently, closed almost every show with it, and was reported to break down almost every time.

Lyrics:

Southern trees bear strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black body swinging in the Southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant South,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh!

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.

Recorded By:

Nina Simone
Tori Amos
Diana Ross
Cassandra Wilson
Lou Rawls

Goody Goody

By Matt Malneck & Johnny Mercer
1936

This clever melody, with even cleverer lyrics from the irrepressible Mercer, was introduced by the Benny Goodman orchestra, with Helen Ward on vocals. Some 20 years later, doo-wop crooner Frankie Lyman had a minor hit with it that returned it to the spotlight for a bit. A very catchy number, it remains highly recognizable.

Lyrics:

Do you remember me sitting all alone, waiting for the tinkle of the telephone?
Now the action, Jackson's turned right around, goody goody!
Yes you remember me, I was all for you, sitting, waiting, hoping like you told me to.
Now the action, Jackson's turned right around.

So you met someone who set you back on your heels,
Goody Goody!
So you met someone and now you know how it feels,
Goody Goody!

Well you gave her your heart too, just as I gave mine to you.
And she broke it in little pieces, now how do you do?

So you lie awake just singing the blues all night,
Goody Goody!
And you found that loves a barrel of dynamite!
Hurray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya.
Goody goody for you! Goody goody for me!
And I hope you're satisfied, you rascal you!

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Frank Sinatra
Chicago
Della Reese
Julie London

You'd Be So Easy to Love

By Cole Porter
1936

Porter composed this, one of his most beautiful melodies/lyrics, for the musical film Born to Dance, in which it was sung by Eleanor Powell, James Stewart and Frances Langford. It would later be included in the 1987 revival of Porter's Anything Goes. Josephine Baker recorded a French version in 1937 called "C'est si facile de vous aimer".

Lyrics:

You'd be so easy to love.
Easy to idolize all others above.
So worth the yearning for,
So swell to keep the home fire burning for.

We'd be so grand at the game,
So carefree together, that it does seem a shame
That you can't see your future with me,
'Cause you'd be so easy to love.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Billie Holiday
Carmen McRae
Vic Damone
Ella Fitzgerald

Pennies from Heaven

By Arthur Johnston & Johnny Burke
1936

One of the most recognizable songs of the 1930s, this one was introduced by none other than the premiere vocalist of the era, Bing Crosby. He did so in the musical film of the same. Billie Holday had a hit recording with it the very same year, making it an instant pop standard. It so epitomized the era, that its name was used as the title to a 1978 BBC series and subsequent 1981 movie in which characters mimed popular songs of the 1930s.

Lyrics:

A long time ago, a million years BC,
The best things in life were absolutely free.
But no one appreciated a sky that was always blue.
And no one congratulated a moon that was always new.
So it was planned that they would vanish now and then,
And you must pay before you get them back again.
That's what storms were made for,
And you shouldn't be afraid for...

Every time it rains it rains
Pennies from heaven.
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven?

You'll find your fortune falling
All over town.
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down.

Trade them for a package of
Sunshine and flowers.
If you want the things you love,
You must have showers.

So when you hear it thunder,
Don't run under a tree.
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me.

Recorded By:

Louis Armstrong
Tony Bennett
Frank Sinatra
Dean Martin
Louis Prima

With Plenty of Money and You

By Al Dubin & Harry Warren
1936

This one's a personal favorite of mine, which I discovered on an old LP of hits from the 1930s, belonging to my wife's granfather. The great Dick Powell introduced it in the movie The Gold Diggers of 1937, and it was written for the film by the prolific team of Dubin & Warren. The duo would pen a grand total of 11 number-one hits between 1932 and 1937, with "September in the Rain" hitting the top spot the very same year as this charmer.

Lyrics:

I have never envied folks with money.
Millionaires don't get along so well.
I have you, but haven't any money--
Still, the combination would be swell.

Oh, baby, what I couldn't do
With plenty of money and you.
In spite of the worries that money brings,
Just a little filthy luchre buys a lot of things.

I would take you to places you like to go,
But outside of that, I've no use for dough.
It's the root of all evil, of strife and upheaval,
Yet I'm certain, honey,
That life could be sunny,
With plenty of money and you.

Recorded By:

Tony Bennett & Count Basie
Jessica Molaskey & John Pizzarelli
The Ink Spots
Art Tatum
Dick Hyman

Caravan

By Juan Tizol & Irving Mills
1936

Generally considered the first Latin jazz song, this tune was composed by legendary trombonist Tizol for the Duke Ellington band, but it was actually the Barney Bigard orchestra that introduced it prior to Duke making it one of his signature songs. It's exotic flavor made it a favorite of lounge/exotica bandleaders like Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman. Mills' lyrics are rarely heard.

Lyrics:

Night and stars above that shine so bright,
The mystery of their fading light
That shines upon our caravan.

Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
Across the sand so I may keep
The memory of our caravan.

This is so exciting,
You are so inviting,
Resting in my arms,
As I thrill to the magic charms

Of you beside me here beneath the blue,
My dream of love is coming true,
Within our desert caravan!

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Billy Eckstine
Dave Brubeck
Maynard Ferguson
Freddie Hubbard

I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket

By Irving Berlin
1936

Irving Berlin and Fred Astaire. Perhaps never was there a more fortuitous working relationship in the history of popular music. Berlin composed this ode to monogamy for Astaire and Ginger Roger's 1936 musical Follow the Fleet, the very same movie that also gave us "Let Yourself Go" and "Let's Face the Music and Dance".

Lyrics:

I've been a roaming Romeo,
My Juliets have been many.
But now my roaming days have gone.
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any.
I've had my share, and from now on...

I'm putting all my eggs in one basket,
I'm betting everything I've got on you.

I'm giving all my love to one baby,
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through.

I've got a great big amount
Saved up in my love account,
Honey, and Ive decided
Love divided in two
Won't do.

So I'm putting all my eggs in one basket,
I'm betting everything I've got on you.

Recorded By:

Stacey Kent
Ella Fitzgerald
Louis Armstrong
Carmen McRae
John Pizzarelli

Until the Real Thing Comes Along

By Mann Holiner, Alberta Nichols, Saul Chaplin, L.E. Freeman & Sammy Cahn
1936

Strangely, this song was initially published in two versions which were identical, only one listed different three composers, while the other listed five. Today, ASCAP credits all five. The song was introduced by bandleader Andy Kirk (pictured). Kirk actually made two different 1936 recordings of the tune, one in March and one in April, using two different vocalists--Ben Thigpen and Pha Terrell.

Lyrics:

I'd work for you,
I'd slave for you,
I'd be a beggar or a knave for you.
If that isn't love, it will have to do,
Until the real thing comes along.

I'd gladly move
The earth for you
To prove my love, dear,
And it's worth for you.
If that isn't love, it'll have to do,
Until the real thing comes along.

With all the words, dear, at my command,
I just can't make you understand.
I'll always love you, darling,
Come what may.
My heart is yours
What more can I say?

I'd lie for you,
I'd sigh for you,
I'd tear the stars down
From the sky for you.
If that isn't love, it will have to do,
Until the real thing comes along.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Fats Waller
Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Dexter Gordon

Dedicated to You

By Saul Chaplin, Hy Zaret & Sammy Cahn
1936

Composer Chaplin (pictured) and lyricist Cahn had previously met while members of the same orchestra, and this tune was in fact one of Chaplin's first efforts as an official member of ASCAP. It was introduced by Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds of Joy, but a young Ella Fitzgerald would get the big hit some months later. Chaplin was also responsible for songs like "Until the Real Thing Comes Along", "If Its the Last Thing I Do" and "Please Be Kind". He later gained acclaim in Hollywood as a producer/arranger for musicals like An American in Paris, High Society and West Side Story.

Lyrics:

If I should write a book for you,
That brought me fame and fortune, too,
That book would be, like my heart and me--
Dedicated to you.

And, if I should paint a picture, too,
That showed the loveliness of you,
My art would be, like my heart and me--
Dedicated to you.

To you,
Because your love is the beacon that lights up my way.
To you,
Because with you I know one lifetime could be just one heavenly place.

If I should find a twinkling star
One half so wondrous as you are,
That star would be, like my heart and me--
Dedicated to you.

Recorded By:

John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
Freddie Hubbard
Carmen McRae
Sarah Vaughan
Sammy Davis Jr.

It's De-Lovely

By Cole Porter
1936

One of Porter's signature songs, its title was used for the title of the 2004 film of his life starring Kevin Kline. It was composed for the famous musical Red, Hot & Blue, and later adapted for the 1960s revival of Anything Goes. Chrysler kept the song in the popular vernacular by using it to advertise its line of DeSoto automobiles.

Lyrics:

I feel a sudden urge to sing
The kind of ditty that invokes the spring.
So control your desire to curse,
While I crucify the verse.
This verse I started seems to me
The Tin-Pantithesis of a melody,
So to spare you all the pain,
I'll skip the darn thing and sing the refrain...

The night is young, the skies are clear,
So if you want to go walking, dear,
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely.

I understand the reason why
You're sentimental, 'cause so am I,
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely.

You can tell at a glance
What a swell night this is for romance,
You can hear dear Mother Nature
Murmuring low,
"Let yourself go!"

So please be sweet, my chickadee,
And when I kiss you, just say to me,
"It's delightful, it's delicious,
It's delectable, it's delirious,
It's dilemma, it's delimit, it's deluxe,
It's de-lovely."

Recorded By:

Eddie Duchin
Ella Fitzgerald
Johnny Mathis
Sarah Vaughan
Dinah Shore