Out of Nowhere

By Johnny Green and Edward Heyman (pictured)
1931

From the same team responsible for "Body and Soul" and "I Cover the Waterfront" came this song, which turned out to be Bing Crosby's first solo #1 hit when he recorded it for Brunswick Records in March 1931. It would continue to be closely associated with Bing, although it eventually became a widely recorded jazz standard. Interestingly, the harmonic progression of this tune can be found in several other compositions, including Gigi Gryce's "Sans Souci" and Alexander Courage's classic theme to the original Star Trek TV series. It is also a favorite of Woody Allen's, popping up in three of his films: 1993's Manhattan Murder Mystery (Coleman Hawkins version), 1997's Deconstructing Harry (Django Reinhardt version) and 1999's Sweet and Lowdown (Dick Hyman version).

Lyrics:

You came to me from out of nowhere 
you took my heart and found it free
Wonderful dreams, wonderful schemes from nowhere
Made every hour sweet as a flower to me

And if you should go back to your nowhere 
Leaving me with a memory
I'll always wait for your return out of nowhere
Hoping you'll bring your love to me

When I least expected, kindly faith directed
You to make each dream of mine come true
And if it's clear or raining, there is no explaining
Things just happened and so did you

You came to me from out of nowhere
You took my heart and you found it free
Wonderful dreams, wonderful schemes from nowhere
Made every hour sweet as a flower to me

Recorded By:

Dave Brubeck
Lena Horne
Ella Fitzgerald
Vic Damone
Art Tatum

Just Friends

By John Klenner & Sam M. Lewis
1931

Although this tune was introduced by Red McKenzie (pictured) and his orchestra, it wasn't until Russ Columbo recorded it the following year that it became a hit. It was has since become a popular jazz standard. Many might remember it from the 1933 Our Gang comedy "Mush and Milk" in which it was hilariously performed by veteran Little Rascal Tommy Bond.

Lyrics:

Just friends
Lovers no more
Just friends
But not like before.

To think of what we've been
And not to kiss again
Seems like pretending
It isn't the ending.

Two friends
Drifting apart
Two friends
But one broken heart.

We loved we laughed we cried
Then suddenly love died
The story ends
And we're
Just friends.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Frank Sinatra
Joe Williams & George Shearing
Pat Martino
Jazz Ambassadors

As Time Goes By

By Herman Hupfeld
1931

For Standard of the Day's 300th post, I give you one of America's finest songs of all time, and one which is an interesting study in second chances. Hupfeld first wrote it for the Broadway musical Everybody's Welcome, in which it was introduced by Frances Williams. And although Rudy Vallee had a hit with it, it would be considered a relatively minor tune until its inclusion as the central theme of Casablanca some 11 years later. Thanks to its appearance in that classic film, including the iconic performance by Dooley Wilson as Sam, it has become one of the most easily identified songs of all time.

Thanks to all who continue to support SOTD. Here's looking at you, kid.

Lyrics:

You must remember this,
A kiss is still a kiss,
A sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.

And when two lovers woo,
They still say, I love you.
On this you can rely,
No matter what the future brings,
As time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs,
Never out of date;
Hearts full of passion,
Jealousy and hate;
Woman needs man,
And man must have his mate.
That no one can deny.

It's still the same old story,
A fight for love and glory,
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers,
As time goes by.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Tony Bennett
Jimmy Durante
Barbra Streisand
Barry White

I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)

By Fred E. Ahlert & Roy Turk
1931

An extremely versatile standard that has experienced three major periods of popularity and been recorded in many different styles. It was introduced in 1931 by Russ Columbo (pictures), then enjoyed a revival in the '40s thanks to the big bands, and came back again in the early '60s with Linda Scott. Charming and guileless, it has proven suitable for country, blues and rock recordings.

Lyrics:

All day long you're asking me what I see in you
All day long I'm answering but what good does it do?
I have nothing to explain
I just love you, love you, and I'll tell you once again

I don't know why I love you like I do
I don't know why, I just do
I don't know why you thrill me like you do
I don't know why, you just do

You never seem to want my romancing
The only time you hold me is when we're dancing

I don't know why I love you like I do
I don't know why, I just do

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Kate Smith
Hoagy Carmichael
King Cole Trio
The Andrew Sisters

There Ought to Be a Moonlight Savings Time

By Irving Kahal & Harry Richman
1931

Introduced by the consummate Frenchman Maurice Chevalier in 1931, this song is a wonderful example of the light-hearted uptempo love songs of the early 1930s. Guy Lombardo's orchestra would have a huge hit with it the same year, taking it all the way to number one. A tongue-in-cheek confection of the Depression Era designed to take people's minds off the sad state of affairs. I know it would've worked on me...

Lyrics:

Birdies fly with new ambition, spring is in their song
Soon you'll yourself a wishin days were not so long.
If my thought is not defined, listen while I speak my mind...

There ought to be a moonlight saving time
So I could love that boy of mine
Until the birdies wake and chime
Good morning!

There ought to be a law in clover time
To keep that moon out overtime
To keep each lover's lane in rhyme
Till dawning.

You'd better hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
Get busy today.
You'd better croon a tune, croon a tune,
To the man up in the moon
And here is what I say:

There ought a Moonlight savings time
So I could love that boy of mine
Until the birdies wake and chime
Good morning!

Recorded By:

Blossom Dearie
Annette Henshaw
Ruth Etting
Ray Anthony
Hal Kemp

I Found a Million-Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store)

By Harry Warren, Mort Dixon & Billy Rose
1931

Interestingly, the lyric to this song was originally written to a different melody in 1926, but it was in '31 that Harry Warren took it and adapted it to his melody for the musical Billy Rose's Crazy Quilt, in which it was introduced by the immortal Fanny Brice. I was just today lucky enough to find Bing Crosby's original 1931 rendition on 78 at a record convention, and I was re-acquainted with how disarming and sweet this song really is. Pure bliss.

Lyrics:

It was a lucky April shower,
It was the most convenient door.
I found a million dollar baby
In a five and ten cent store.

The rain continued for an hour.
I hung around for three or four.
Around a million dollar baby
In a five and ten cent store.

She was selling china
And when she made those eyes,
I kept buying china
Until the crowd got wise.

If you should run into a shower,
Just step inside my cottage door,
And meet the million dollar baby
From the five and ten cent store.

Love comes along like a popular song,
Any time or anywhere at all.
Rain or sunshine,
Spring or fall.
Say, you'll never know when it may say hello
In a very unexpected place.
For example, take my case.

She was selling china,
And when she made those eyes,
I kept buying china
Until the crowd got wise.

If you should run into a shower,
Oh, step inside my cottage door.
And meet my million dollar baby
From the five and ten cent store.

Recorded By:

Nat King Cole
Perry Como
Dizzy Gillespie
Benny Goodman
Jack Leonard

Prisoner of Love

By Russ Colombo, Clarence Gaskill & Leo Robin
1931

A beautiful standard Colombo wrote and introduced himself in the early 1930s. It enjoyed a couple of interesting resurgences. Perry Como would bring it back in the 1940s, and it became one of his signature hits. Then in the early 1960s, it became the first major hit record for a young James Brown. Before he got all funky and stuff...

Lyrics:

Alone from night to night you'll find me,
Too weak to break the chains that bind me.
I need no shackles to remind me,
I'm just a prisoner of love.

For one command I stand and wait now,
From one who's master of my fate now.
I can't escape for it's too late now,
I'm just a prisoner of love.

What's the good of my caring,
If someone is sharing those arms with me?
Although she has another,
I can't have another, for I'm not free.

She's in my dreams awake or sleeping,
Upon my knees to her I'm creeping.
My very life is in her keeping,
I'm just a prisoner of love.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Billy Eckstine
Keely Smith
Etta James
Lester Young

I'm Thru with Love

By Joseph A. Livingston, Matt Malneck & Gus Kahn
1931

An aching composition that epitomizes those all-too-familiar feelings of heartbreak and jilted love. A major hit song of 1931, it was recorded by a vast number of artists that year, including Paul Whiteman's orchestra, Al Bowlly, Don Voorhees' orchestra, Al Lack's City Radiolians, and most notably Bing Crosby. It remains a timeless, poignant classic, made even more popular by Marilyn Monroe's famous rendition in Some Like It Hot.

Lyrics:

I have given you my true love,
But you love a new love.
What am I supposed to do now
With you now, you're through?
You'll be on your merry way
And there's only this to say:

I'm through with love
I'll never fall again.
Said adieu to love
Don't ever call again.
For I must have you or no one
And so I'm through with love.

I've locked my heart
I'll keep my feelings there.
I have stocked my heart
with icy, frigid air.
And I mean to care for no one
Because I'm through with love.

Why did you lead me
to think you could care?
You didn't need me
for you had your share
of slaves around you
to hound you and swear
with deep emotion and devotion to you.

Goodbye to spring and all it meant to me
It can never bring the thing that used to be.
For I must have you or no one
And so I'm through with love.

Recorded By:

Lena Horne
Joe Williams
Jane Monheit
Ella Fitzgerald
Diana Krall

I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby

By Fats Waller & Alex Hill
1931

One of the signature tunes of the irrepressible Fats Waller, whose music is always a joy to listen to. He wrote this song himself, and naturally introduced it. It remains to this day one of the tunes most commonly associated with him, perhaps second only to "Ain't Misbehavin'". I've always found Hill's lyrics to be especially amusing. A fun song to sing along with.

Lyrics:

I'm the world's most happy creature,
Tell me, what can worry me?
I'm crazy 'bout my baby,
And my baby's crazy 'bout me!

Mr. Cupid was our teacher,
That's the reason we agree,
I'm crazy 'bout my baby,
And my baby's crazy 'bout me!

Parson, get your book out,
Get it ready in your hand,
Keep a steady look-out;
'Cause I know you understand.

We're an A-one combination,
The perfect he and she,
I'm crazy 'bout my baby,
And my baby's crazy 'bout me!

Recorded By:

Cab Calloway
Louis Armstrong
Leon Redbone
Maxine Sullivan
Fletcher Henderson

Dream a Little Dream of Me

By Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt & Gus Kahn
1931

Although written as a ballad, it was introduced in up-tempo fashion by the Wayne King orchestra, and remained so until Doris Day's 1957 rendition. Since then, it has usually been recorded with a slow tempo, including the version best known to modern listeners, the 1968 recording by Mama Cass Elliot of The Mamas & The Papas. That single went platinum, in fact.

Lyrics:

Stars shining bright above you,
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you".
Birds singing in the sycamore trees--
Dream a little dream of me.

Say nighty-night and kiss me,
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me.
While I'm alone and blue as can be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Stars fading, but I linger on dear,
Still craving your kiss.
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear,
Just saying this:

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you,
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you.
But in your dreams whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Recorded By:

Louis Armstrong
Frankie Laine
Ella Fitzgerald
Nat King Cole Trio
Dinah Shore

When Your Lover Has Gone

By Einar Aaron Swan
1931

Obscure Scandinavian-American composer Swan solidified his place in pop immortality with this heartbreaker, which debuted in the James Cagney/Joan Blondell comedy Blonde Crazy. Gene Austin had a major hit with it soon after. It's lyrics perfectly capture the emotions of loss and desperation associated with losing the one you love.

Lyrics:

What good is the scheming, the planning and dreaming
That comes with each new love affair?
The dreams that we cherish, so often might perish,
And leaves you with castles in air.

When you're alone, who cares for starlit skies?
When you're alone, the magic moonlight dies.
At break of dawn, there is no sunrise,
When your lover has gone.

What lonely hours, the evening shadows bring.
What lonely hours, with memories lingering.
Like faded flowers, life can't mean anything,
When your lover has gone.

Recorded By:

Ethel Waters
Benny Goodman
Billie Holiday
Frank Sinatra
Louis Armstrong

All of Me

By Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons
1931

Haven't been able to post much lately, so to make up for it today, I'm bouncing back with a biggie--one of the most recorded standards of all time, in fact. Billie Holiday's iconic version is probably the most well-known, although it was originally recorded by Belle Baker. Usually performed in a swing tempo, the classic tune has endured the ages, being revived in the 1950s by Johnnie Ray, and even getting a punk treatment by NOFX.

Lyrics:

All of me--
Why not take all of me?
Can't you see
I'm no good without you?

Take my lips,
I wanna lose them.
Take these arms,
I'll never use them.

Your goodbye
Left me with eyes that cry.
How can I
Go on, dear, without you?

You took the part
That once was my heart,
So why not
Take all of me?

Recorded By:

Louis Armstrong
Paul Whiteman
Frank Sinatra
Django Reinhardt
Willy Nelson

The Cuban Love Song

By Herbert Stothart, Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
1931

I heard Lawrence Tibbett's original recording of this song on the way in to work this morning for the first time, and I must say it moved me. It was written specifically for the film of the same name, in which Tibbett, a star of the Metropolitan Opera who had been nominated for an Oscar the year before, sings it to the gorgeous Lupe Velez. It was the only hit song to emerge from the screen musical.

Lyrics:

I love you.
That's what my heart is saying,
While every breeze is playing,
Our Cuban love song.

I love you.
For all the joy you brought me,
The lovely night you taught me,
Our Cuban love song.

One melody will always thrill my heart.
One kiss will cheer me when we're apart.

I love you.
With such a tender passion,
And only you could fashion,
Our Cuban love song.

Recorded By:

Ruth Etting
Jacques Renard
Paul Whiteman
George Shearing
Mel Torme

Nevertheless

By Harry Ruby & Bert Kalmar
1931

Upon its composition, this song was immediately snatched up by the two most popular vocalists of the day, Rudy Vallee and Bing Crosby. It became a big hit for either of them, and the song has been part of the standard canon ever since. The Mills Brothers would also have a top 10 hit with it in 1950.

Lyrics:

I knew the time had to come
When I'd be held under your thumb.
I'm like a pawn in your hand,
Moved and compelled, at your command.
Whether it's for bad or for good,
I would never change it if I could.

Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong,
Maybe I'm weak, maybe I'm strong,
But nevertheless I'm in love with you.

Maybe I'll win, maybe I'll lose,
And maybe I'm in for cryin' the blues,
But nevertheless I'm in love with you.

Somehow, I know at a glance, the terrible chances I'm taking.
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking.

Maybe I'll live a life of regret,
And maybe I'll give much more than I get,
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you.

In spite of all I could do,
I went ahead falling for you.
So if I laugh or I cry,
I made my bed, that's where I'll lie.
For what happens, there's no excuse,
I put my own head in the noose.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Harry Nilsson
The Andrews Sisters
Kay Starr
Patti Page

Smile, Darn Ya, Smile

By Max Rich, Charles O'Flynn & Jack Meskill
1931

An irresistible example of the fluffy, light-hearted material cranked out by Tin Pan Alley in the height of the Great Depression, this was the kind of song designed to take people's minds off the woes of daily life. With an infectious tune by Brooklyn native Max Rich and irrepressible words by O'Flynn & Meskill, it was immediately picked up by the sweet-style jazz bands of the day. Warner Bros. featured it prominently in the 1931 cartoon of the same name, and it was brought back some 57 years later in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Lyrics:

Smile, darn ya, smile!
You know this whole world is a good world, after all.
Smile, darn ya, smile!
And right away, watch Lady Luck pay you a call.

Things are never black as they are painted.
Time for you and joy to get acquainted.
So make life worthwhile,
Come on and smile, darn ya, smile!

Recorded By:

The Sunshine Boys
Al Bowlly
Ben Selvin
Sammy Davis Jr.
Abe Lyman & His Californians

River, Stay 'Way from My Door

By Harry Woods & Mort Dixon
1931

From the same duo responsible for "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover" some four years earlier, this Tin Pan Alley ditty was in the then-common sub-genre of "Negro spiritual"-type tunes written by white composers. Ironically, it would be legendary African-American actor/singer Paul Robeson who introduced it with a hit record in 1931.

Lyrics:

You keep goin' your way,
I'll keep goin' my way.
River, stay 'way from my door.

I just got a cabin,
You don't need my cabin.
River, stay 'way from my door.

Don't come up any higher,
I'm so all alone.
Leave my bed and my fire,
That's all I own.

I ain't breakin' your heart,
Don't start breakin' my heart.
River, stay 'way from my door.

Lord, ain't I been faithful?
Ain't I worked, ain't I toiled in the sweat and sun?
Lord, ain't I come to you?
Ain't I come to you and thank you?
Thank you for all the good things you've done?
Listen Lord, I know you made that river,
But won't you please try to remember that you made me?
Oh Lord, can't you hear me pray to you?
Make that river, make that river hear my plea.

No, I ain't breaking your heart,
So don't start breaking my heart.
Oh, river stay away from my door.

Recorded By:

Kate Smith
Frank Sinatra
Charlie Rich
Sammy Davis Jr.
Fiona Apple

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

By Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler
1931

Composed for Rhyth-Mania, the first of four Cotton Club revues by Arlen & Koehler, this clever, uptempo tune was introduced on stage by Aida Ward, and first recorded by Cab Calloway (who was also in the show) later in 1931. It has remained a popular standard among jazz performers ever since. Among the other classics the duo wrote for the Harlem hot spot were "Stormy Weather", "I've Got the World on a String", "Ill Wind" and "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues".

Lyrics:

I don't want you,
But I hate to lose you.
You've got me in between
The devil and the deep blue sea.

I forgive you,
'Cause I cant forget you.
You've got me in between
The devil and the deep blue sea.

I ought to cross you off my list,
But when you come a-knocking at my door,
Fate seems to give my heart a twist,
And I come running back for more

I should hate you,
But I guess I love you.
You've got me in between
The devil and the deep blue sea.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Thelonious Monk
George Harrison
Frank Sinatra
Louis Armstrong

Dancing in the Dark

By Arthur Schwartz & Howard Dietz
1931

The greatest and most well-known of the works of Schwartz and Dietz, this one came from their 1931 Broadway revue The Band Wagon, in which it was introduced by John Barker. The original show would be the last time Fred Astaire and his sister Adele would appear together--Astaire appeared instead with the gorgeous Cyd Charisse in the 1953 film version.

Lyrics:

Dancing in the dark,
'Til the tune ends.
We're dancing in the dark,
And it soon ends.
We're waltzing in the wonder
Of why we're here.
Time hurries by, we're here,
And we're gone.

Looking for the light
Of a new love
To brighten up the night.
I have you, love,
And we can face the music together,
Dancing in the dark.

What though love is old?
What though song is old?
Through them we can be young.
Hear this heart of mine,
Wailing all the time.
Dear one, tell me that we're one.

Looking for the light
Of a new love
To brighten up the night.
I have you, love,
And we can face the music together,
Dancing in the dark.

Recorded By:

Fred Astaire
Artie Shaw
Frank Sinatra
Diana Krall
Bing Crosby