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One of the signature songs from Lerner & Loewe's great musical, My Fair Lady. It was introduced on stage by Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle, singing rapturously of her growing love for Prof. Higgins. It was reprised in the film version, with star Audrey Hepburn dubbed with the voice of vocalist Marni Nixon. A beautiful sampling of the type of material being put out during the golden age of the Hollywood musical.
Lyrics:
I could have danced all night! I could have danced all night! And still have begged for more.
I could have spread my wings, And done a thousand things I've never done before.
I'll never know what made it so exciting, Why all at once my heart took flight.
I only know when he Began to dance with me, I could have danced, danced danced all night!
Recorded By:
Sylvia Syms Dinah Shore Frank Sinatra Rosemary Clooney Petula Clark
By Jerry Bock, George David Weiss & Larry Holofcener 1956
A major hit from the 1956 Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful starring Sammy Davis Jr., this song was one of the 1950s most popular standards. In the original show, it was introduced by Charlie Welch, but it was Eydie Gorme who recorded the version that became a huge hit the same year as the show. It would immediately become one of the most recorded traditional pop songs of its era, and one of the last such songs to become such a big hit prior to the rock and roll takeover...
Lyrics:
Be wise, be smart, behave, my heart Don't upset your cart when she's so close Be soft, be sweet, but be discreet Don't go off your feet, she's to close for comfort
Too close, too close for comfort, please and not again Too close, too close to know just when to say "when"
Be firm, be fair, be sure, beware On your guard, take care, while there's such temptation
One thing leads to another Too late to run for cover She's much too close for comfort now.
Recorded By:
Frank Sinatra Natalie Cole Mel Torme Art Pepper Herbie Nichols
One of Loesser's later hits, originally written for the Broadway show, The Most Happy Fella, in which it was sung by Shorty Rogers, Alan Gilbert, John Henson and Roy Lazarus. A breezy swinger, it was a big hit for the '50s vocal group The Four Lads.
Lyrics:
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by Brother you don't know a nicer occupation Matter of fact, neither do I Than standing on a corner watching all the girls Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
I'm the cat that got the cream Haven't got a girl but I can dream Haven't got a girl but I can wish So I'll take me down to Main street And that's where I select my imaginary dish
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by Standing on a corner giving all the girls the eye Brother if you've got a rich imagination Give it a whirl, give it a try Try standing on a corner watching all the girls Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Brother you can't go to jail for what you're thinking Or for that woo look in your eye Standing on the corner watching all the girls Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Recorded By:
Dean Martin The Four Lads Celtic Thunder The Mills Brothers Hazell Dean
One of the many memorable and beloved tunes composed by Lerner & Loewe for their smash Broadway hit, My Fair Lady. It's sung by the character of Alfred Dolittle, played by Stanley Holloway in both the stage production and the Oscar-winning 1964 film version. It would become one of the show's very biggest and most endurant hits.
Lyrics:
There's just a few more hours. That's all the time you've got. A few more hours Before they tie the knot. Doolittle There are drinks and girls all over London, and I've gotta track 'em down in just a few more hours!
I'm getting married in the morning! Ding dong! The bells are gonna chime. Pull out the stopper! Let's have a whopper! But get me to the church on time!
I gotta be there in the mornin' Spruced up and lookin' in me prime. Girls, come and kiss me; Show how you'll miss me. But get me to the church on time!
If I am dancin' Roll up the floor. If I am whistlin' Whewt me out the door!
For I'm gettin' married in the mornin' Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime. Kick up an rumpus, But don't lost the compass; And get me to the church, Get me to the church, For Gawd's sake, get me to the church on time!
I'm getting married in the morning, Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime. Doolittle Drug me or jail me, Stamp me and mail me. But get me to the church on time!
I gotta be there in the morning Spruced up and lookin' in me prime. Some bloke who's able. Lift up the table, And get em to the church on time!
If I am flying, Then shoot me down. If I am wooin', Get her out of town!
For I'm getting married in the morning! Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime. Feather and tar me; Call out the Army; But get me to the church. Get me to the church... For Gawd's sake, get me to the church on time!
Starlight is reelin' home to bed now. Mornin' is smearin' up the sky. London is wakin'. Daylight is breakin'. Good luck, old chum, Good health, goodbye.
I'm gettin' married in the mornin' Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime... Hail and salute me Then haul off and boot me... And get me to the church, Get me to the church... For Gawd's sake, get me to the church on time!
Recorded By:
Frank Sinatra Mel Torme The Brian Setzer Orchestra Rosemary Clooney Nat King Cole
One of Styne's (pictured) most well-known compositions, it was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin in the musical Bells Are Ringing. Tony Bennett had a major hit with it the same year, and that version remains the breezy, upbeat song's definitive recording.
Lyrics:
Just in time, You've found me just in time. Before you came my time Was running low.
I was lost. The losing dice were tossed. My bridges all were crossed, Nowhere to go.
Now you're here, And now I know just where I'm going. No more doubt or fear-- I've found my way.
For love came just in time. You found me just in time, And changed my lonely life that lovely day.
Recorded By:
Frank Sinatra Nina Simone Barbra Streisand Dean Martin Rosemary Clooney
After being published by Cooley and "Davenport" (a pseudonym for early rock 'n roll songwriter Otis Blackwell), the tune was introduced by R&B singer Little Willie John. But it was Peggy Lee's iconic 1958 version, with its classic bassline, that made the song a standard. A precursor to the rock n' roll style that would soon take over, the song is actually constructed on almost the exact same chord progression, tempo and key as Tennessee Ernie Ford's recording of "Sixteen Tons" from 1955.
Lyrics:
Never know how much i love you, Never know how much i care. When you put your arms around me, I get a fever that's so hard to bare.
You give me fever-- When you kiss me, Fever when you hold me tight. Fever-- In the morning, Fever all through the night.
Sun lights up the day time, Moon lights up the night, I light up when you call my name, And I know you're gonna treat me right.
You give me fever-- When you kiss me, Fever when you hold me tight. Fever-- In the morning, Fever all through the night.
Everybody's got the fever, That is something you all know. Fever isn't such a new thing, Fever start long ago.
Romeo loved Juliet, Juliet she felt the same. When he put his arms around her, He said, "Julie baby, your my flame,
"Now give me fever-- When were kissin' Fever with that flamin' youth. Fever-- I'm on fire, Fever, yay, I burn, forsooth."
Captain Smith and Pocahontas Had a very mad affair. When her daddy tried to kill him, She said, "Daddy, oh don't you dare!
"He gives me fever-- With his kisses, Fever when he holds me tight. Fever-- I'm his misses. Daddy, won't you treat him right?"
Now you listened to my story, Here's the point that I have made: Chicks were born to give you fever, Be it Fahrenheit or Centigrade.
They give you fever-- When you kiss them, Fever if you live and learn. Fever-- Till you sizzle, What a lovely way to burn.
Recorded By:
Madonna Michael Buble Sarah Vaughan Ella Fitzgerald Nina Simone
A tribute to the finest genre of popular music in history, pop's direct link to the classical tradition, and one of our nation's most important contributions to world culture, the Great American Songbook. Each day (more or less), I spotlight a different popular standard. And yes, I'm straight. So is your grandfather. He loves this music, too--just ask him!
