Shame on me. I missed National Friendship Day. It occurs annually on the first Sunday of August each year, so I am six days late. To you, my friend, thanks for your friendship. There are many terms for friend: chum, pal, mate, bestie, companion, confidant, cohort, ally, and buddy. That’s quite a list of words to tie into today’s song from the Great American Songbook!
My Buddy was composed by the duo of Walter Donaldson (who wrote the music) and Gus Khan (who wrote the lyrics). It was published in 1922 and has been recorded by numerous artists. Among them: Gene Autry, Count Basie, Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Darin, Doris Day, Connie Francis, Al Jolson, Ray Charles, Harry James, Lena Horne, The Mills Brothers, Dinah Shore, Kay Starr, Barbra Streisand, Barry White, and MANY more!
It is hard to pick a favorite version, but I am partial to Mel Torme’s recording. Mel’s smooth vocal and the arrangement just sounds so good to me.
Equally good is Bobby Darin’s interpretation
Before I post some of the other serious recordings, I have to post this clip from the Dean Martin Show. Phil Silvers and Dean Martin are “vaudevillians” and while Dean sings My Buddy, Phil interjects commentary. Watch as Phil tries to break Dean and how Dean reacts!
The great Lena Horne
The angelic Connie Francis
Trumpet legend Harry James and a young Frank Sinatra
Such a simple song, but it is one of my favorites.
Nights are long
Since you went away
I dream about you
All through the day
My buddy, my buddy
Nobody quite so true
Miss your voice
The touch of your hand
I long to know
That you’ll understand
My buddy, my buddy
Your buddy misses you
Miss your voice
The touch of your hand
Just long to know
That you’ll understand
My buddy, my buddy
Your buddy misses you
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 
When I was much, much younger, this song was big as a dance tune for mothers and sons on his wedding day. The singer I associate with most with “My Buddy” is Eddy Fisher.
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Eddie’s version is nice. It’s amazing how many people covered it. No matter who is singing it, I immediately think of that Phil Silvers/Dean Martin bit.
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Love the Dean Martin one!
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It is one of my favorite clips of his show!
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Hey Keith, sorry for my absenteeism, life, what can I say. I will admit to hardly knowing a thing about this song! The only version I even recognize it the Dean Martin and Phil Silvers one!! Thanks for expanding by American Songbook knowledge!
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Life keeps us all busy, pal. No worries. Somewhere on YouTube, you can find the full clip of Dean/Phil. It’s like 9 minutes long. The My Buddy part is the middle of the sketch. The looks they give each other are priceless.
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