I Didn't Know About You

By Duke Ellington and Bob Russell
1944

One of several Ellington big band tunes for which long-time collaborator Russell (pictured) wrote accompanying lyrics. Duke first composed the melody as an instrumental in 1943, and recorded it under the title "Sentimental Lady" with his band for radio broadcast, and when lyrics were added, he recorded it again at the end of 1944 with Joya Sherrill on vocals. However, they were beaten to it a few weeks earlier by Paul Weston's Orchestra, which introduced the song with Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers on vocals. A wistful jazz favorite, it has occasionally still been recorded over the years under the "Sentimental Lady" banner (perhaps as a connection to Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady").

Lyrics:

I ran around, with my own little crowd
The usual laughs, not often, but loud
And in the world that I knew
I didn't know about you

Chasing after the ring, on the merry-go-round
Just taking my fun, where it could be found
And yet what else could I do
I didn't know about you

Darling, now I know
I had the loneliest yesterday, everyday
In your arms
I know for once in my life, I'm living

Had a good time, everytime I went out
Romance was a thing, I kidded about
How could I know about love
I didn't know about you

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
June Christy
Woody Herman
Count Basie
Lena Horne

There's No You

By Hal Hopper & Tom Adair
1944

A lush, gorgeous composition that helped catapult Jo Stafford's solo career. After leaving the Pied Pipers vocal group and becoming Capitol Records' first solo vocalist in '44, Stafford (or her arrangers) chose this beautiful song to be one of her very first recordings. Perfectly suited to her range and style, it became an instant standard thanks to her and has been recorded by numerous artists over the years since.

Lyrics:

I feel the autumn breeze, it steals 'cross my pillow
As soft as a will-o'-the-wisp and in its song
There is sadness because there's no you

The lonely autumn trees, how softly they're sighing
'Cause summer is dying, they know that in my heart
There's no gladness because there's no you

The park that we walked in, the garden we talked in
How lonesome they seem in the fall
Stormy clouds hover and falling leaves cover
Our favorite nook in the wall

In spring we'll meet again, we'll kiss and recapture
That summertime rapture we knew and from that day
Never more will I say, "There's no you"

Recorded By:

Duke Ellington
Frank Sinatra
Louis Armstrong
Coleman Hawkins
Stacey Kent

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

By Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane
1944

One of the most popular and performed Christmas songs of all time, this beauty was written for Judy Garland to sing in the musical film Meet Me in St. Louis. The lyrics at the time were quite morose, but a 1957 version by Frank Sinatra modified the lyrics a bit, and these lyrics have been the more commonly heard ones to this day. A sad Christmas song, it was also composed during World War II, and so echoed the sentiments of many families who would be without certain members serving overseas during the holiday season. A touching, warm, and very real and human modern carol.

Lyrics:

(Original)

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light,
Next year all our troubles will be
out of sight,
So have yourself, a merry little Christmas time.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yule-tide gay
Next year all our troubles will be
miles away,
Have yourself a merry little Christmas Day.

Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who were near to us
Will be dear to us once more
Someday soon, we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

(Modern)

Have yourself a merry little christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little christmas,
Make the yule-tide gay,
From now on, our troubles will be miles away

[Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas lyrics on http://www.elyricsworld.com]

Here were are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Recorded By:

Jackie Gleason
Connie Francis
Ella Fitzgerald
The Carpenters
The Muppets

A very, very Merry Christmas from Standard of the Day...

'Round Midnight

By Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams & Bernie Hanighen

1944

The most recorded jazz standard composed by a jazz musician, this smoky number was first conceptualized by Monk in the 1930s under a different name. It developed gradually over the years in true jazz style, with later embellishments added by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. The lyrics by Henighen were added later. It's believed to have been recorded hundreds of times.

Lyrics:

It begins to tell,
'round midnight, midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
But it really gets bad,
'round midnight.

Memories always start 'round midnight
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories,
When my heart is still with you,
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
Does it mean that our love is ending.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart,
And I'm out of my mind.

Let our hearts take wings'
'round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing,
for your returning.
Till our love is safe and sound.
And old midnight comes around.
Feelin' sad,
really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight.

Recorded By:

Sarah Vaughan

Ella Fitzgerald

Amy Winehouse

Bobby McFerrin

Linda Rondstadt

You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You

By Russ Morgan, Larry Stock & James Cavanaugh
1944

A classic of the lounge subgenre, originally recorded by co-writer Morgan. Of course, we now know it best of all due to the 1965 Dean Martin recording, one of the biggest hits of Dino's career. There was also a very popular recording by The Mills Brothers. An infectiously happy and upbeat tune, perfect for a Memorial Day barbecue...

Lyrics:

You're nobody 'til somebody loves you
You're nobody 'til somebody cares.
You may be king, you may possess the world and it's gold,
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;
You're nobody 'til somebody 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;
You're nobody 'til somebody loves you,
So find yourself somebody, find yourself somebody,
Find yourself somebody to love.

Recorded By:

Michael Buble
George Burns
Cab Calloway
Bobby Darrin
Sammy Davis Jr.

Swingin' on a Star

By Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke
1944

An infectious classic composed specifically for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1944 film Going My Way, for which is won the Academy Award. The origin of the concept lay in a visit composer Van Heusen paid to Bing's house, during which the crooner rebuked his son comically for not wanting to go to school. Following Going My Way, Crosby would also have a huge hit with the song as a single recording. It would go on to become a truly beloved standard--specifically a favorite among children.

Lyrics:

Would you like to swing on a star?
Carry moonbeams home in a jar?
And be better off than you are?
Or would rather be a mule?

A mule is an animal with long, funny ears.
He kicks up at anything he hears.
His back is brawny, but his brain is weak,
He's just plain stupid, with a stubborn streak.
And by the way, if you hate to go to school,
You may grow up to be a mule!

Or would you like to swing on a star?
Carry moonbeams home in a jar?
And be better off than you are?
Or would you rather be a pig?

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face.
His shoes are a terrible disgrace.
He has no manners when he eats his food,
He's fat and lazy, and extremely rude.
So if you don't care a feather or a fig,
You may grow up to be a pig.

Or would you like to swing on a star?
Carry moonbeams home in a jar?
And be better off than you are?
Or would rather be a fish?

A fish won't do anything but swim in a brook,
He can't write his name or read a book.
To fool the people is his only thought,
And though he 's slippery, he still gets caught.
But then, if that sort of life is what you wish,
You may grow up to be a fish.

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo--
Everyday you meet quite a few.
So you see, it's all up to you.
You could be better than you are--
You could be swingin' on a star.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Oscar Peterson
Burl Ives
Maria Muldaur
Tony Bennett

Baby, It's Cold Outside

By Frank Loesser
1944

For years, Loesser and his wife Lynn Garland performed this duet at private parties, until the composer sold the rights to MGM in 1948. Garland was reportedly angry, as she considered it "their song." MGM placed it in the film Neptune's Daughter, helping Loesser win the Oscar for Best Original Song in the process. It has since become an informal Christmas standard, although the holiday is never referenced in the lyric.

Lyrics:

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh darling, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

Recorded By:

Ray Charles & Betty Carter
Dean Martin
Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel
Dinah Shore & Buddy Clark
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan

I'm Beginning to See the Light

By Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, Don George & Harry James
1944

One of the Duke's all-time classic compositions, which naturally became closely related with his orchestra. The Ellington band recorded it in 1945, but it was Ella Fitzgerald & The Ink Spots who introduced it earlier that same year. A sophisticated melody, combined with a sophisticated lyric make this one an immortal gem.

Lyrics:

I never cared much for moonlit skies,
I never wink back at fireflies.
But now that the stars are in your eyes,
I'm beginning to see the light.

I never went in for afterglow,
Or candlelight on the mistletoe.
But now when you turn the lamp down low,
I'm beginning to see the light.

Used to ramble through the park,
Shadowboxing in the dark,
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now.

I never made love by lantern-shine,
I never saw rainbows in my wine.
But now that your lips are burning mine,
I'm beginning to see the light.

Recorded By:

Billy Eckstine
Harry James
Frank Sinatra
Kelly Rowland
Bobby Darin

I Love You

By Cole Porter
1944

An amusing composition from the king of amusing compositions. For his musical Mexican Hayride, Porter took a cliche title and deliberately wrote a lyric that would be humorously banal for it. It was introduced by Bobby Clark on stage, and later that year in a hit record from Bing Crosby.

Lyrics:

I love you
Hums the April breeze.
I love you
Echo the hills.

I love you
The golden dawn agrees
As once more she sees
Daffodils.

It's spring again
And birds on the wing again
Start to sing again
The old melody.

I love you,
That's the song of songs
And it all belongs
To you and me.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Jo Stafford
Barbra Streisand
Bill Evans
Anita O'Day

Granada

By Agustin Lara & Dorothy Dodd
1944

This operatic-style number was originally composed by Lara with Spanish lyrics, and was a popular Mexican song introduced in the U.S. in the film Two Girls and a Sailor by Xavier Cugat's orchestra. It would later have English lyrics provided by Dodd, and Bing Crosby would be the first to record them in 1951. A flamboyant, bombastic international standard.

Lyrics:

Granada, I’m falling under your spell,
And if you could speak, what a fascinating tale you would tell.
Of an age the world has long forgotten,
Of an age that weaves a silent magic in Granada today.

The dawn in the sky greets the day with a sigh for Granada.
For she can remember the splendor that once was Granada.
It still can be found in the hills all around as I wander along,
Entranced by the beauty before me,
Entranced by a land full of flowers and song.

When day is done and the sun touch the sea in Granada,
I envy the blush of the snow-clad Tierra Nevada.
Soon it will welcome the stars,
While a thousand guitars play a soft carbinera.
Then moonlit Granada will live again,
The glory of yesterday, romantic and gay.

Recorded By:

Mario Lanza
Frankie Laine
Frank Sinatra
Perez Prado
Placido Domingo

The Boy Next Door

By Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane
1944

This charming tune was written for the one and only Judy Garland, who performed it stunningly in the 1944 classic Meet Me in St. Louis. It has since become a widely performed standard, commonly changed to "The Girl Next Door" when performed by male vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, who recorded it for his criminally underrated 1962 Reprise album All Alone.

Lyrics:

The moment I saw him smile,
I knew he was just my style.
My only regret is we've never met,
Though I dream of him all the while.

But he doesn't know I exist,
No matter how I may persist.
So it's clear to see there's no hope for me,
Though I live at 5135 Kensington Avenue
And he lives at 5133.

How can I ignore the boy next door?
I love him more than I can say.
Doesn't try to please me,
Doesn't even tease me,
And he never sees me glance his way.

And though I'm heart-sore, the boy next door
Affection for me won't display.
I just adore him,
So I can't ignore him,
The boy next door.

Recorded By:

Stacey Kent
Bill Evans
Blossom Dearie
Doris Day
Barbra Streisand

I Should Care

By Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston & Sammy Cahn
1944

Written for the glossy, sentimental World War II movie Thrill of a Romance, this song, written primarily by longtime Sinatra arranger Stordahl (pictured) plays lyrically off a popular slang expression--most likely courtesy of Cahn. It was introduced in the movie by Bob Allen and the Tommy Dorsey orchestra, and charted four times in the top 20 by four different artists in its first year alone.

Lyrics:

I should care,
I should go around weeping.
I should care,
I should go without sleeping.

Strangely enough, I sleep well,
'Cept for a dream or two.
But then I count my sheep well,
Funny how sheep can lull you to sleep.

So I should care,
I should let it upset me.
I should care,
But it just doesn't get me.

Maybe I won't find someone as lovely as you.
But I should care,
And I do.

Recorded By:

Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra
Bing Crosby
Jane Monheit
Amy Winehouse (below)

The Christmas Song

By Mel Torme & Bob Wells
1944

Composed in the middle of a sweltering summer, the most recorded Christmas song of all time started out as a list of wintery things compiled by Wells in a whimsical attempt to "think cool". Once his vocalist friend Torme spotted the list and added music and a few extra lyrics to it, a holiday standard was born. It was first introduced by Nat King Cole with his trio in 1946, and Cole would later make it one of his signature tunes, recording it a total of four times. Torme himself would eventually record it three times.

Lyrics:

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so, I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two:
Although it's been said many times, many ways,
Merry Christmas to you.

Recorded By:

Diana Krall
Frank Sinatra
Andy Williama
Johnny Mathis
Bing Crosby

Stella By Starlight

By Victor Young & Ned Washington
1944

A rare example of a hit love song that was actually written for a horror movie, this song was the theme for the classic ghost story, The Uninvited. Washington's lyrics (which are never sung in the movie) are unique in that because he had trouble fitting the title into the melody, he had to arbitrarily place it in the middle of the refrain, making this a rare example of a standard in which the title is not mentioned in the opening or closing line. Young and his orchestra introduced the song in the film, but Harry James' orchestra was the first to release it on record three years later.

For more on The Uninvited, check out my other blog, The Vault of Horror.

Lyrics:

The song a robin sings,
Through years of endless springs;
The murmur of a brook at eventides;
That ripples through a nook where two lovers hide--

That great symphonic theme,
That's Stella by starlight,
And not a dream.
My heart and I agree,
She's everything on Earth to me.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Ray Charles
Charlie Parker
Stan Getz
Stan Kenton

Sentimental Journey

By Les Brown, Ben Homer & Bud Green
1944

A big hit toward the end of World War II, this song was first recorded by Brown's orchestra with Doris Day on lead vocal. It soon became Day's first number-one hit, and lasted a total of 23 weeks on the charts. The mellow number has long been a favorite of jazz musicians.

Lyrics:

Gonna take a sentimental journey,
Gonna set my heart at ease.
Gonna make a sentimental journey,
To renew old memories.

Got my bags, got my reservations,
Spent each dime I could afford.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
I long to hear that, "All aboard!"

Seven...that's the time we leave, at seven.
I'll be waitin' up at heaven,
Countin' every mile of railroad track
That takes me back.

Never thought my heart could be so yearny.
Why did I decide to roam?
Gotta take that sentimental journey,
Sentimental journey home.

Recorded By:

Woody Herman
Frank Sinatra
Rosemary Clooney
Esquivel
Julie London

Long Ago (And Far Away)

By Jerome Kern & Ira Gershwin
1944

This one was written for Columbia Pictures' first Technicolor production Cover Girl. Although it was given to the ravishing Rita Hayworth to "sing" in the movie, the actual dubbed voice was that of Martha Mears, who was commonly used to dub actors' singing voices in 1940s musicals.

Lyrics:

Dreary days are over.
Life's a four leaf clover.
Sessions of depressions are through.
Every hope I longed for long ago, comes true.

Long ago and far away,
I dreamed a dream one day,
And now that dream is here beside me.
Long the skies were overcast,
But now the clouds have passed,
You're here at last!

Chills run up and down my spine,
Aladdin's Lamp is mine,
The dream I dreamed was not denied me.
Just one look and then I knew,
That all I longed for
Long ago, was you.

Recorded By:

Dick Haymes & Helen Forrest
Bing Crosby
Jo Stafford
Perry Como
Chet Baker

I'm Beginning to See the Light

By Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, Harry James & Don George
1944

With a melody originating in the mind of saxophonist Johnny Hodges (pictured), this song had the benefit of being fleshed out by legendary bandleaders Duke Ellington and Harry James. It was Ellington whose influence can be more easily heard, with his "conversational" style of contrasting melodic phrases. Lyricist George was tapped for the words, which make clever references to all sorts of light imagery. Both Ellington and James recorded it in 1945, but while the Duke's version made it to #6 on the charts, ironically it would be James' rendition that hit the top spot.

Lyrics:

I never cared much for moonlit skies,
I never wink back at fireflies,
But now that the stars are in your eyes,
I'm beginning to see the light.

I never went in for afterglow,
Or candlelight on the mistletoe,
But now when you turn the lamp down low,
I'm beginning to see the light.

Used to ramble through the park,
Shadowboxing in the dark,
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now.

I never made love by lantern-shine,
I never saw rainbows in my wine,
But now that your lips are burning mine,
I'm beginning to see the light.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald & The Ink Spots
Bobby Darin
Michael Buble
Frank Sinatra
Kelly Rowland

I Fall in Love Too Easily

By Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn
1944

A heartbreaking expression of unrequited love, this song was introduced by Frank Sinatra in the classic MGM musical Anchors Aweigh, in which he sings at the piano in a deserted Hollywood Bowl. Sinatra had personally requested that Styne & Cahn write the songs for the film. The duo would team up for another big hit for the Chairman, "Time After Time". Cahn later was the lyricist for Sinatra standards like "Come Fly With Me" and "In the Wee Small Hours".

Lyrics:

I fall in love too easily,
I fall in love too fast.
I fall in love too terribly hard
For love to ever last.

My heart should be well schooled,
‘Cause I’ve been fooled in the past.
But still I fall in love so easily,
I fall in love too fast.

Recorded By:

Chet Baker
Billie Holiday
Jimmy Roselli
Miles Davis
Shirley Horn

Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

By Cole Porter
1944

A classic Porter tune, this ode to parting lovers was written for the unsuccessful Broadway revue The Seven Lively Arts, in which it was introduced by popular big band singer Nan Wynn (best known as the dubbed singing voice of Rita Hayworth in several films.) The earliest hit record of it came from the Benny Goodman Quintet, which also appeared in the original show. In a classic bit of Porter wittiness, when the lyrics mention a change "from major to minor," the chord shifts accordingly.

Lyrics:

Ev'ry time we say goodbye,
I die a little.
Ev'ry time we say goodbye,
I wonder why a little.
Why the gods above me,
Who must be in the know,
Think so little of me,
They allow you to go.

When you're near, theres such an air
Of spring about it.
I can hear a lark somewhere,
Begin to sing about it.
There's no love song finer,
But how strange the change,
From major to minor,
Ev'ry time we say goodbye.

Recorded By:

John Coltrane
Sarah Vaughan
Nina Simone
Annie Lennox
Ella Fitzgerald