Stormy Weather

By Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler
1933

One of the giants of American popular song, it was written for Ethel Waters to perform at the Cotton Club. However, it would go on to be most closely associated with Lena Horne, after she recorded it (for the first of five times) in 1941. The blues-tinged standard is a flawless expression of disappointment and longing.

Lyrics:

Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky.
Stormy weather--
Since my man and I ain't together,
Keeps rainin' all the time.

Life is bare, gloom and mis'ry everywhere.
Stormy weather--
Just can't get my poor self together,
I'm weary all the time.
So weary all the time.

When he went away, the blues walked in and met me.
If he stays away, old rockin' chair will get me.
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more.

Cant go on, ev'ry thing I had is gone.
Stormy weather--
Since my man and I ain't together,
Keeps rainin' all the time.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Etta James
Frank Sinatra
Judy Garland
Django Reinhardt

Get Happy

By Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler
1930

This was the first collaboration of Cotton Club legends Arlen & Koehler, who composed it for Ruth Etting in the 1930 show The Nine-Fifteen Revue. It would become most associated with Judy Garland thanks to her iconic performance of it 20 years later in MGM's Summer Stock. The Abe Lyman recording was used as the original theme music for the Warner Bros.' cartoons. The title refers to the old gospel tradition of being touched by the Holy Spirit.

Lyrics:

Forget your troubles,
Come on, get happy!
You better chase all your cares away.
Shout Hallejulah,
Come on, get happy!
Get ready for the judgment day.

The sun is shinin',
Come on, get happy!
The lord is waitin' to take your hand.
Shout Hallejulah,
Come on, get happy!
We're going to the promised land.

We're headin' across the river
To wash your sins away in the tide.
It's all so peaceful
On the other side.

Forget your troubles,
Come on, get happy!
You better chase all your cares away.
Shout Hallejulah,
Come on, get happy!
Get ready for the judgement day.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Benny Goodman
Art Tatum
June Christy

Don't Worry 'Bout Me

By Rube Bloom & Ted Koehler
1938

Filled with controlled longing, this melancholy tune by Bloom and long-time Harold Arlen collaborator Koehler is a complex piece that captures the feel of a loving relationship amicably ended. It was written for the Cotton Club Parade show of 1939, in which Cab Calloway introduced it. Bloom was also the composer of such equally thrilling hits as "Day In, Day Out" and "Fools Rush In".

Lyrics:

Don't worry 'bout me,
I'll get along.
Forget about me--
Be happy, my love.

Just say that our little show is over,
And so the story ends.
Why not call it a day,
The sensible way
And still be friends?

"Look out for yourself"
Should be the rule.
Give your heart and your love
To whomever you love--
Don't you be a fool.

Baby, why stop and cling
To some fading thing
That used to be?
If you can't forget,
Don't you worry 'bout me.

[Ladies and gentlemen, that is a lyric.]

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Hal Kemp
Joe Williams

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