Song Lyric Sunday

It is Sunday once again and it is time once again for Song Lyric Sunday, hosted by Jim Adams. This week’s challenge is to feature a song included in the “Great American Songbook.” The topic was suggested by my friend Nancy of the Elephant’s Trunk aka The Sicilian Storyteller.

For someone like me, who loves the music from the Great American Songbook, this challenge is indeed a challenge. There are SO many songs to choose from. It is impossible for me to pick just one. As a matter of fact, there are so many great songs, I may do a weekly feature based on them on this blog.

The Great American Songbook Foundation describes the contents this way:

The foundational period of the Great American Songbook represents the most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards of the early 20th century that were created for Broadway musicals, Tin Pan Alley, and Hollywood films. These American Standards and were written by songwriters including (but certainly not limited to):
 
Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, Johnny Burke, Sammy Cahn, Hoagy Carmichael, Vernon Duke, Duke Ellington, Gus Kahn, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Dana Suesse, Burton Lane, Billy Strayhorn, Frank Loesser, Lerner and Loewe, Hugh Martin, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne, Jimmy Van Heusen, Fats Waller, Harry Warren, Vincent Youmans, and many more.

Looking at a list of songs from the Great American Songbook is like looking at musical pieces of history that despite the age, still sounds amazing today. There are songs for just about every theme, too. With that being said, I decided to pick a few songs that all tied together.

As we just finished celebrating the 250th birthday of America, and have proclaimed our love for this great country, here are just a few “Love” songs from the Great American Songbook that I hope you enjoy.

When I Fall In Love

The song was written for the film “One Minute To Zero.” The music was composed by Victor Young while the lyrics were written by Edward Heyman. It was originally released as an instrumental titled “Theme from One Minute to Zero“. Singer Jeri Southern recorded the first vocal version, released in April 1952, with Young handling the arrangement and conducting duties. The song went on to become a standard, of course, and has been recorded by just about everyone. Among those who recorded it were Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Celine Dion and even Rick Astley.

Everyone has their favorite version of the song. I suppose mine is the Letterman’s version. Listen to the beautiful harmonies …

When I fall in love, it will be forever
Or I’ll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it’s begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart, it will be completely
Or I’ll never give my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you

Love Is Just Around the Corner

This one goes back to 1934, and was also featured in movies. The first movie was Here Is My Heart, and it is sung in the film by Bing Crosby. It was sung a year later by Robert Cummings in Millions in the Air. Two writers get credit for it with music composed by Lewis E. Gensler and lyrics written by Leo Robin.

Among those who have recorded this one are June Christy, Harry James, Billy Eckstein, Mel Torme’ and Kenny Rogers. If I had to pick my favorite version, I would choose Frank Sinatra’s version with the Neal Hefti Orchestra. I really dig the arrangement and Frank has a bit of fun lyrically, too.

Love is just around the corner, any cozy little corner
Love is just around the corner when I’m around you
I’m a sentimental mourner, and I couldn’t be a loner
When you keep me in a corner just waiting for you

Venus de Milo was noted for her charms
Strictly between us, you’re outer than Venus
And what’s more you got arms
So let’s go cuddle in a corner, any cozy little corner
Love is just around the corner and I’m around you

I must inform you that, that Venus de Milo she was noted for her charms
Strictly between us, you’re outer than Venus
And what’s more you got arms (wow)

Let’s go cuddle in a corner, any cozy little corner
Love is just around the corner and I’m around you
Let’s go cuddle in a corner, any cozy little corner
Love is just around the corner and I’m around you

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons

We go back to 1945 for this one. Authorship of the song has s little controversy surrounding it. Wikipedia says that it is song written by Ivory “Deek” Watson, who was a founding member of the Ink Spots and William “Pat” Best, founding member of the Four Tunes. However, Best said that Watson had nothing to do at all with the song. Watson maintained in his late-1960s autobiography (The Story of the Ink Spots) that he and Best wrote the song together, lyrics and music respectively.

The song was recorded by Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Cooke, Dean Martin and James Brown recorded a disco version of it! My favorite version (and really the gold standard) is by Nat King Cole. It was a 12 week number one on the Billboard Best Seller Chart and the simplicity of it still sounds amazing.

I love you for sentimental reasons
I hope you do believe me
I’ll give you my heart

I love you, and you alone were meant for me
Please give your loving heart to me
And say we’ll never part

I think of you every morning
Dream of you every night
Darling, I’m never lonely
Whenever you are in sight

I love you for sentimental reasons
I hope you do believe me
I’ve given you my heart

I love you for sentimental reasons
I hope you do believe me
I’ve given you my heart

You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You

Frank Sinatra used to refer to this song as a “Saloon Song.” It dates back to 1944 and was written by Russ Morgan, Larry Stock and James Cavanaugh. Morgan was the first to record the song, but it would be Dean Martin who would have the greatest success with it. He actually enjoyed success with it twice. He recorded it in 1960 for Capitol Records, and then he recorded a faster version of the song in 1964 for Reprise Records. The later version is the one that can be heard in the movie Casino.

The Capitol recording:

The Reprise recording:

Here is Dean with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Shelby Lynne:

You’re nobody ’til somebody loves you
You’re nobody ’til somebody cares

You may be the king, you may possess the world and it’s gold
Oh, but gold won’t bring you happiness when you’re growing old
The world still is the same, you never change it
As sure as the stars shine above

Oh, you’re nobody ’til somebody really loves you
So find yourself somebody to love

The world still is the same, you never change it
As sure as the stars shine above

Well, you’re nobody ’til somebody loves you (oh)
So find yourself somebody to love

What is This Thing Called Love?

Finally, the oldest “love” song on my list – What is This Thing Called Love? It was written by the amazing Cole Porter for the musical Wake Up and Dream in 1929. The musical did well in both London and in New York. According to sources, this song is one of Porter’s most performed songs. It became so popular that many jazz musicians added it to their setlist.

The song has been recorded and performed with varying tempos. It is one of those songs that works both as an upbeat song and as a ballad. I have found that in almost every version I have heard of the song, the tempo seems to fit the artist. Among those who have recorded this – Frank Sinatra, Les Paul, Tommy Dorsey, Billie Holliday, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand.

There is one version that has always stood out for me. It’s up-tempo and it SWINGS! Check out Keely Smith’s version arranged by the great Nelson Riddle. If you can, listen n headphones and listen to the little interactions between instruments as she sings. It’s such a great arrangement.

What is this thing called love?
This funny thing called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make a fool of me?

I saw you there one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw it away
That’s why I ask the lord in heaven above
What is this thing called love?

I saw you there one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw it away
That’s why I ask the lord in heaven above
What is this thing called love?

Thanks to Jim for hosting! Thanks to Nancy for a great suggestion! Thanks for reading AND listening!