The Frim-Fram Sauce

By Joe Ricardel and Redd Evans
1945

A fun novelty song of the post-World War II era that went on to become a jazz stand-by, this tune was created by Joe Ricardel, writer of "The Brooklyn Dodger Jump", with lyrics by Redd Evans, known for such songs as "Don't Go to Strangers" and "There, I've Said It Again". Evans had written a few songs specifically for the Nat King Cole Trio, and this was one of them. The song's playful lyrics have entertained fans for decades, full of nonsense words and involving a patron ordering a series of imaginary items from a restaurant menu. Although closely identified with Cole over the years, several others have tried their hand at it.

Lyrics:

I don't want French fried potatoes
Red ripe tomatoes
I'm never satisfied
I want the frim fram sauce with the Ausen fay
With chafafa on the side

I don't want pork chops and bacon
That won't awaken
My appetite inside
I want the frim fram sauce with the Ausen fay
With chafafa on the side

A fella really got to eat
And a fella should eat right
Five will get you ten
I'm gonna feed myself right tonight

I don't want fish cakes and rye bread
You heard what I said
Waiter, please serve mine fried
I want the frim fram sauce with the Ausen fay
With chafafa on the side

Recorded By:

Nat King Cole
Diana Krall
John Pizzarelli
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Les Brown

Love Letters

By Victor Young and Edward Heyman

1945

Written by Victor Young for the film of the same name starring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten, it first appeared as an instrumental only. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song, losing out to Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic "It Might as Well Be Spring" from the movie State Fair. Soon after, Edward Heyman added lyrics, and the tender ballad was introduced on record by vocalist Dick Haymes, who accompanied composer Young's own orchestra. It has since been recorded by countless artists, including an unlikely rendition by the King of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley.

Lyrics: 

Love letters straight from your heart,
Keep us so near while we're apart,
I'm not alone in the night,
When I can have all the love you write,

I memorize every line,
I kiss the name that you sign,
And darling,
Then I read,

Again from the start,
Love letters straight from your heart.

Recorded By:

Elvis Presley
Dick Haymes
Alison Moyet
Ketty Lester
Peggy Lee

I'm an Errand Boy for Rhythm (Send Me)

By Nat King Cole
1945

Introduced in 1945 by the King Cole trio, this up-tempo jumper was actually penned by Nat King Cole himself. It's typical of the rhythm numbers the trio were known for, which also included "Straighten Up and Fly Right", among many others. It has often been covered by female singers as "I'm an Errand Girl for Rhythm".

Lyrics:

Here's something that I'd like to bring to you--
Wrapped all in cellophane, designed for you.
Tell ya what it's all about
It is, without a doubt
Swingin' the latest style
Service with a smile!

If you want to swing and shout
Get your kicks and get about
I'm an errand boy for rhythm--send me!

Lace your boots and follow thru
I'll deliver straight to you
I'm an errand boy for rhythm--send me!

You can always find me down at Smokey Joe's
That's the place where every gal and gator goes.
If you want variety,
Just step in and call for me
I'm an errand boy for rhythm--send me!

Recorded By:

John Pizzarelli
Diana Krall
Carmen McRae
Carol Sloane
Pamela Joy

It Might as Well Be Spring

By Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II
1945

A lilting, delicate melody highlights this late Rodgers composition, from his second major collaboration, that with Hammerstein. This came from State Fair, which was the only original film score the duo ever wrote. It was sung in the film by Jeanne Crain--and Dick Haymes, who also starred in the movie, had the first hit recording of it the same year.

Lyrics:

The things I used to like I don't like anymore.
I want a lot of other things I've never had before.
It's just like mother says... I sit around and mope.
Pretending I am wonderful. And knowing I'm a dope.

I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm,
I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string.
I'd say that I had spring fever,
But I know it isn't spring.

I'm starry-eyed and vaguely discontented
Like a nightingale without a song to sing.
Oh, why should I have spring fever
When it isn't even spring?

I keep wishing I were somewhere else,
Walking down a strange new street.
Hearing words that I have never heard
From a man I've yet to meet.

I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams,
I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing.
I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud
Or a robin on the wing.

But I feel so gay,
In a melancholy way,
That it might as well be spring,
It might as well be spring.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Nina Simone
Frank Sinatra
Sammy Kaye
Blossom Dearie

Full Moon and Empty Arms

By Buddy Kaye & Ted Mossman
1945

This richly beautiful popular song is one of many whose melody was inspired by a movement from Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. In addition to this tune, introduced by none other than Frank Sinatra during his Columbia period, the concerto also produced "I Think of You" by Don Marcotte & Jack Elliott (1941) and "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen (1975).

Lyrics:

Full moon and empty arms,
The moon is there for us to share,
But where are you?
A night like this could weave a memory,
And every kiss could start a dream for two.

Full moon and empty arms,
Tonight I'll use the magic moon to wish upon.
And next full moon,
If my one wish comes true,
My empty arms will be filled with you.

Recorded By:

Freddie Hubbard
Sarah Vaughan
Eddie Fisher
Nelson Eddy
Maynard Ferguson

Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry

By Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn
1945

A melodic, romantic favorite by Styne & Cahn, it was introduced at the end of World War II by the Harry James orchestra, and later became a favorite of adult pop singers in the 1950s and beyond. Of particular note is Frank Sinatra's breathtaking rendition on his landmark 1958 album Only the Lonely.

Lyrics:

The torch I carry is handsome.
It's worth its heartache in ransom.
Now when that twilight steals,
I know how the lady in the harbor feels.

When I want rain, I get sunny weather.
I'm just as blue, blue as the sky.
Since love has gone, I can't get myself together.
Guess I'll hang my tears out to dry.

My friends ask me out, but I tell them I'm busy.
I've got to get a new alibi.
I hang around at home, and ask myself: "Where is she?"
Guess I'll hang my tears out to dry.

Dry little tear drops, my little tear drops,
Moving on a stream of dreams.
My little memories, those precious memories
Remind me of our crazy schemes.

Then somebody says, just forget about her.
But I gave that treatment a try.
Strangely enough, I got along without her,
Then one day she passed me right by - oh well,
I guess I'll hang my tears out to dry.

Recorded By:

Dexter Gordon
Sarah Vaughan
Jack Jones
Ray Charles
Mel Torme

Seems Like Old Times

By John Jacob Loeb & Carmen Lombardo
1945

Originally recorded by Guy Lombardo and his orchestra, this song went on to become the theme of Arthur Godfrey's radio program. It would also be used to moving effect in Woody Allen's classic Annie Hall, in which it was sung by co-star Diane Keaton.

Lyrics:

Remember all the things we did together?
All the fun we had on New Year's Eve?
How we danced till dawn?
Then darling, you were gone,
Now it's almost too good to believe.

Seems like old times,
Having you to walk with.
Seems like old times,
Having you to talk with.

And it's still a thrill just to have my arms around you,
Still the thrill that it was the day I found you.

Seems like old times,
Dinner dates and flowers.
Just like old times,
Staying up for hours.

Making dreams come true,
Doing things we used to do.
Seems like old times,
Being here with you.

Recorded By:

Vaughan Monroe
Rosemary Clooney
Thelma Carpenter
The Four Freshmen
Harry James

GIve Me the Simple Life

By Harry Ruby & Rube Bloom
1945

Ruby (pictured) and Bloom collaborated on this song for the movie musical Wake Up and Dream, starring June Haver and John Payne. Ruby was also the composer of such standards as "Who's Sorry Now?", "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and "I Wanna Be Loved By You." He was a close friend of Groucho Marx, and wrote many of the classic songs from the Marx Brothers films.

Lyrics:

I don't believe in frettin' and grievin';
Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.

Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife;
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;
Give me the simple life.

A cottage small is all I'm after,
Not one that's spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside.

Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y;
Give me the simple life.

Recorded By:

Julie London
Tony Bennett
June Christy
Rosemary Clooney
Stan Getz

I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So

By Duke Ellington & Mack David
1945

One of many timeless tunes composed by Ellington for his legendary big band. The lyricist, Mack David (pictured) was the older brother of Burt Bacharach lyricist Hal David. He is better known for his Disney work, which includes the Oscar-nominated "Bibiddi Bobbidi Boo". David also put words to the 1961 Shirelles hit "Baby It's You", and did a lot of TV work, including the memorable Looney Tunes TV theme "This Is It".

Lyrics:

As I walk down the street,
Seems everyone I meet
Gives me a friendly hello.
I guess I'm just a lucky so-and-so.

The birds in every tree
Are all so neighborly,
They sing wherever I go.
I guess I'm just a lucky so-and-so.

If you should ask me the amount
In my bank account,
I'd have to confess that I'm slippin'.
But that don't worry me--confidentially,
I've got a dream that's a pippin'.

And when the day is through,
Each night I hurry to
A home where love waits, I know.
I guess I'm just a lucky so-and-so

Recorded By:

Sam Cooke
Ella Fitzgerald
Sarah Vaughan
Diana Krall
Tony Bennett

Day by Day

By Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston & Sammy Cahn

1945

Long-time collaborators going back to their days together as arrangers in the Tommy Dorsey orchestra, Stordahl and Weston wrote this song for Weston's wife, the late, great Jo Stafford. At the time, Stordahl was working at Columbia Records as Frank Sinatra's arranger, and the young Chairman would soon record the tune, as well. Lyricist Cahn would later write the words for many of Sinatra's later hits in the 1950s.

Lyrics:

Day by day,

I'm falling more in love with you.

And day by day,

My love seems to grow.

There isn't any end to my devotion;

It's deeper, dear, by far than any ocean.

I find that day by day,

You're making all my dreams come true.

So come what may,

I want you to know

I'm yours alone,

And I'm in love to stay,

As we go through the years,

Day by day.

Recorded By:

Ray Anthony

Bing Crosby & Mel Torme

Vic Damone

John Entwistle

Astrud Gilberto

Laura

By David Raksin & Johnny Mercer
1945

The haunting melody was written by Raksin as the main theme of Otto Preminger's 1944 film noir classic of the same name, starring Gene Tierney. Preminger had wanted to use "Sophisticated Lady", but Raksin insisted it was wrong. The following year, Mercer added equally haunting lyrics. The song was a major hit, with five top-ten recordings that year alone, the first of which was by Woody Herman. Raksin was reportedly inspired by a "Dear John" letter written to him by his wife.

Lyrics:

You know the feeling of something half remembered?
Of something that never happened, yet you recall it well?
You know the feeling of recognizing someone
That you've never met, as far as you could tell? Well...

Laura
Is the face in the misty light,
Footsteps that you hear down the hall.
The laugh that floats on a summer night,
That you can never quite recall.

And you see Laura
On the train that is passing through.
Those eyes, how familiar they seem.
She gave your very first kiss to you
That was Laura,
But she's only a dream.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Dick Haymes
Julie London
Charlie Parker