The Very Thought of You

By Ray Noble
1934

British bandleader Noble composed this endurant and poignant standard, and introduced it with his own orchestra, featuring Al Bowlly as the singer. It has been recorded countless times by pop and jazz artists, popping up decade after decade. On a personal note, my grandmother's wartime sweetheart used to sing this to her before going off to Europe, where he was killed. It is also a favorite to sing to my daughter at bedtime, and my best friend wisely used the Billie Holiday recording as his wedding song...

Lyrics:

I don't need your photograph to keep by my bed
Your picture is always in my head
I don't need your portrait, dear, to bring you to mind
For sleeping or waking, dear, I find

The very thought of you and I forget to do
The little ordinary things that everyone ought to do
I'm living in a kind of daydream
I'm happy as a king
And foolish though it may seem
Why to me that's everything

The mere idea of you, the longing here for you
You'll never know how slow the moments go till I'm near to you
I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my love

I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my love

Recorded By:

Bing Crosby
Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Tony Bennett & Paul McCartney

You're Blase

By Ord Hamilton & R. Bruce Sievier
1932

A standard which originates in England and the stage revue known as Bow Bells. It was most famously recorded, however, by Ella Fitzgerald on her landmark album Like Someone in Love (which I happen to own on vinyl). An unusual, jazz-inflected melody makes this one an interesting little standout.

Lyrics:

You're deep just like a chasm
You've no, enthusiasm
You're tired and uninsipired.
You're blase.

Your day is one of leisure
In which you search for pleasure.
You're bored when you're adored.
You're blase.

While reaching for the moon,
And the stars up in the sky,
The simple things of normal life
Are slowly passing by.

You sleep, the sun is shining;
You wake, its time for dining.
There's nothing new for you to do
You're blase.

Recorded By:

Sarah Vaughan
Coleman Hawkins
Stan Getz
Benny Goodman
Art Tatum

If I Had You

By James Campbell, Reginald Connelly & Ted Shapiro
1928

This song has special significance for me, because it was the song I sang to my newborn daughter the first time I held her in my arms. It's a beautiful, underrated English ballad, composed by the songwriting team of Campbell & Connelly under the combined pseudonym of "Irving King", and introduced by the great Rudy Vallee. In recent years, it was sung by actor Edward Norton in the Woody Allen film, Everyone Says I Love You.

Lyrics:

I could show the world how to smile,
I could be glad all of the while,
I could turn the gray skies to blue,
If I had you.

I could leave the old days behind,
Leave all my pals,
They'd never mind.
I could start my life anew,
If I had you.

I could climb a snow-capped mountain,
Sail the mighty ocean wide.
I could cross the burning desert,
If I had you by my side.

I could be a king, dear, uncrowned.
Humble or poor,
Rich or renowned.
There is nothing I couldn't do,
If I had you.

Recorded By:

Sarah Vaughan
Frank Sinatra
Judy Garland
Dinah Washington
Joe Williams

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

By Manning Sherwin, Jack Strachey & Eric Maschwitz
1940

This popular British standard refers to a tree-filled park in the upscale Mayfair section of London. It became a very popular tune in the UK after being introduced by Judy Campbell in the show New Faces, and subsequently recorded by Ray Noble and Vera Lynn.

Lyrics:

That certain night,
The night we met,
There was magic abroad in the air.
There were angels dining at the Ritz,
And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

I may be right, I may be wrong,
But I'm perfectly willing to swear
That when you turned and smiled at me,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

The moon that lingered over Londontown,
Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown.
How could he know that we two were so in love?
The whole darn world seemed upside down.

The streets of town were paved with stars,
It was such a romantic affair.
And as we kissed and said goodnight,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

When dawn came stealing up, all gold and blue,
To interrupt our rendezvous,
I still remember how you smiled and said,
"Was that a dream? Or was it true?"

Our homeward step was just as light
As the tap dancing feet of Astaire,
And like an echo far away,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

Recorded By:

Nat King Cole
Bobby Darrin
Mel Torme
Blossom Dearie
Frank Sinatra

We'll Meet Again

By Ross Parker & Hughie Charles
1939

In honor of Veteran's Day, I give you this classic anthem of World War II, introduced as an immensely popular UK hit by Vera Lynn. The moving lyric by Charles takes both an optimistic and melancholy stance, understood by those who hoped to see their loved ones again as they parted due to the war, yet understood that the meeting place might also be heaven. This is a sentiment known all too well today by those serving overseas in Iraq, and by those who love them. Lynn's recording was prominently featured as the closing theme of Dr. Strangelove, and more recently in Hellboy.

Here's to the veterans. Thank you all.

Lyrics:

Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear,
Just for a while, dear, we must part.
Don't let the parting upset you,
I'll not forget you, sweetheart.

We'll meet again,
Don't know where, don't know when,
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.

Keep smiling through,
Just like you always do,
'Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.

So will you please say hello to the folks that I know,
Tell them I won't be long.
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go,
I was singing this song.

After the rain comes the rainbow,
You'll see the rain go, never fear.
We two can wait for tomorrow,
Goodbye to sorrow, my dear.

We'll meet again,
Don't know where, don't know when,
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.

Recorded By:

Johnny Cash
The Byrds
Frank Sinatra
Peggy Lee
The Ink Spots

I'll See You Again

By Noel Coward
1929

OK, so it's not an American song. I'll be making exceptions from time to time, especially for excellent tunes like this one--a bittersweet gem written by Coward for an operetta aptly titled Bitter Sweet. The musical was filmed twice, the more notable version being a 1940 Nelson Eddy-Jeanette McDonald MGM production which Coward allegedly found so awful it brought him to tears. The song is rare for having an intro that is even longer than its verses. Listen to the Maude Maggart recording below to hear the full lyrics.

Lyrics:

I'll see you again,
Whenever spring breaks through again.
Time may lay heavy between,
But what is mean,
Is past forgetting.

This sweet memory
Across the years will come to me.
Though my world may go awry,
In my heart will ever lie,
Just the echo of a sigh--
Goodbye.

I'll see you again,
Whenever spring breaks through again.
Time has lain heavy between,
But what is mean,
Can leave me never.

Your dear memory,
Throughout my life will come to me.
Though my world has gone awry,
Though the years my tears may dry,
I shall love you 'til I die--
Goodbye.

Recorded By:

Maude Maggart
Frank Sinatra
Glenn Miller
Mario Lanza
Bryan Ferry