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Jimmy McHugh
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| One of America's most celebrated songwriters, Jimmy McHugh was born in Boston, July 10, 1894, and had an early interest in music instilled by his mother. He always projected an air of self-confidance that later manifested in a remarkable ability to promote himself and his work, and in his early years helped him to land a job working for the Irving Berlin Music Company in Boston. Shortly thereafter he moved to New York and began working for Mills Music Company. After heading the professional office to exploit the music of others, he finally became a full-time composer. It was during this period that he discovered his first long-time collaborator, Dorothy Fields, when she wandered in to the Mills professional office looking for a job. It is to McHugh's great credit that he looked past the fact that Dorothy was a woman (trying to work in a male-dominated business) and recognized her extraordinary talent. She became the most successful female songwriter of the twentieth century and, with McHugh, created such hits as "Don't Blame Me," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Exactly Like You," "I'm in the Mood for Love," and "I Feel a Song Coming On."
Most of McHugh's output consisted of writing songs for musical revues and Hollywood musicals. He first went to Hollywood in 1931 and created dozens of songs for early MGM photoplays and short subjects. Even though he did return to Broadway in 1934, the rest of the 1930s were spent writing film songs for RKO, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, and Universal, for whom he created the musical fanfare that started every picture. McHugh's principal collaborator in the latter part of the thirties was Harold Adamson, and they busily fashioned an array of hits such as "Where Are You" (written for Gertrude Niesen) and "You're a Sweetheart" (written for Alice Faye).
McHugh's other principal lyric collaborators included Frank Loesser, Johnny Mercer, and Al Dubin, all with whom he worked throughout the 1940s. Again, motion pictures dominated McHugh's output, but he did also find time to score three Broadway musicals: Keep Off The Grass (1941), Star and Garter (1942) and As The Girls Go (1949). Song hits include "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" (written for Frank Sinatra), "South American Way" (written for Carmen Miranda), and "It's a Most Unusual Day" (written for Jane Powell), among a great many more. McHugh's keen ability to tailor material for a plot situation kept him busier in the 1940s than he had been in the previous decade.
With the eventual descent of musical films in the 1950s, Jimmy created several concert presentations of his songs. The first touring revue was called Jimmy McHugh and His Singing Starlets and was a smash success, playing Las Vegas, Reno, New York, Hollywood, San Francisco and points beyond. He also appeared frequently on television with Eddie Fisher, Gordon MacRae, Perry Como, Patti Page and Tony Bennett, among others. In 1956 he returned to Broadway for the last time with Strip for Action. He also continued to compose for films, writing several beautiful songs with Livingston and Evans.
Up until his death in 1969, McHugh was a very visible presence in Hollywood and New York -- often receiving honors and awards as well as attending every major Hollywood event with his steady date, Louella Parsons.
Jimmy McHugh's versatility, originality and melodic inspiration distinguished him among a very distinguished group of colleagues. Why? Because Jimmy was able to adapt and sustain his career over a fifty-year period with a seemingly endless spring of melodic inspirations.
Following are details of more than three dozen Jimmy McHugh standards...
BLUE AGAIN (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"'Cause I'm Blue Again, Blue Again, And you know darn well that it's you again"
Performed by Evelyn Hoey in "The Vanderbilt Revue" stage production in 1930. The Louis Armstrong version, recorded in Chicago in the same year as both the Red Nichols & the Duke Ellington interpretations, is particularly memorable with Satchmo's vocal spelling out his continued desperation ("You said last night we were thru again") as the band gently swings out the rhythm.
Hit recordings:
Red Nichols & His Five Pennies/Vocal by Dick Robertson (Brunswick/UME: 1931) US #10 Pop
Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Sid Garry (Victor/BMG: 1931) US #12 Pop
Other versions include:
Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra (Okeh/Sony)
Alma Cogan (UK EMI)
Wild Bill Davison (Storyville)
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra
Urbie Green (Project 3)
Harry James & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Gene Krupa (Capitol)
Manhattan Transfter (Atlantic/WSP)
COMIN' IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER (JM/Harold Adamson)
Gung-ho air force-themed patriotic song ("Though there's one motor gone, we can still carry on") from the days of World War II.
Hit recordings:
The Song Spinners (Decca/UME: 1943) US #1 Pop
Willie Kelly & His Orchestra (Hit: 1943) US #2 Pop
The Four Vagabonds (Bluebird/BMG: 1943) US #24 Pop
Other versions include:
Ambrose & His Orchestra/vocal by Anne Shelton
Eddie Cantor
Perry Como (RCA/BMG)
Ry Cooder (Warner Bros/WSP)
The Golden Gate Quartet (Columbia/Sony)
Vera Lynn (HMV/EMI)
Anne Shelton
Frank Sinatra
CUBAN LOVE SONG (JM/Dorothy Fields/Herbert Stothart)
"I love you, that's what my heart is saying...
While ev'ry breeze is playing our Cuban love song"
Performed by the operatic baritone Lawrence Tibbett in the movie musical "Cuban Love Song" (MGM: 1931)
Hit recordings:
Jacques Renard & His Orchestra (Brunswick/UME: 1931) US #7 Pop
Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (Victor/BMG: 1931) US #13 Pop
Ruth Etting (Columbia/Sony: 1932) US #10 Pop
Other versions include:
Les Baxter & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Mr. Acker Bilk & The Leon Young String Chorale
Bing Crosby
Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra (RCA/BMG)
Frank DeVol & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Victor Feldman (Contemporary)
Roy Hamilton (Epic/Sony)
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (Columbia/Sony)
Gordon MacRae (Capitol)
Herbie Mann (Bethlehem)
Tony Martin (Decca/UME)
Russ Morgan & His Orchestra (Decca/UME)
Edmundo Ros
George Shearing (Capitol)
Scot Stewart (Varese Sarabande)
Lawrence Tibbett (Victor/BMG)
Paul Weston & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony)
DIGA DIGA DOO (JM/Dorothy Fields)
A wonderfully infectious 1920's nonsense song set to a pseudo African rhythm; jazz singer Adelaide Hall was the first to perform it but it also perfectly suited the harmony voices & sounds of The Mills Brothers. (The 'sounds' refers to the fact that the four Mills Brothers imitated musical instruments including trumpet, trombone, tuba & sax so perfectly that they required very little accompaniment). Introduced by Adelaide Hall in the Broadway revue "Blackbirds Of 1928".
Performed by Lena Horne in the movie musical "Stormy Weather" (20th Fox: 1943).
Hit recording:
Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Irving Mills (Okeh/Sony: 1928) US #17 Pop
Other versions include:
Al Caiola
Bob Crosby & The Bobcats (MCA/UME)
Frank DeVol & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Martin Denny (Liberty/Capitol)
=The Hotsy Totsy Gang (Brunswick)
Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb
Adelaide Hall (UK EMI)
Al Hirt (RCA/BMG)
Lena Horne (Fox/Arista/BMG)
The Mills Brothers (Brunswick/Sony)
Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
The Rhythm Makers feat. Benny Goodman & Gene Krupa (Musidisc)
Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (Bluebird/BMG)
Bob Thompson, His Chorus & Orchestra (RCA/BMG)
=The Hotsy Totsy Gang was a group of musicians formed by entrepeneur/lyricist/music publisher Irving Mills; they recorded both DIGA DIGA DOO and another McHugh/Fields standard DOIN' THE NEW LOW DOWN in New York at a session in July 1928. The following January, they cut two more McHugh/Fields compositions: FUTURISTIC RHYTHM and OUT WHERE THE BLUES BEGIN.
DINNER AT EIGHT (JM/Dorothy Fields)
Promotional song for the all-star dramatic movie "Dinner At Eight" (MGM: 1933); it was introduced to radio audiences by Frances Langford who sang it at the movie's star-studded premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood.
Hit recording:
Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1933) US #14 R&B
Other versions include:
Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra (London/UME)
DOIN' THE NEW LOW DOWN (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"Oh, make 'em play that crazy thing again, I've gotta do that lazy swing again.
Heigh ho, Doin' The New Low Down"
The "New Low Down" was a dance sensation and on Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson's recording of it, you can hear him tap dancing. Introduced by Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson in the Broadway revue "Blackbirds Of 1928".
Hit recording:
Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra/Vocal by Irving Mills (Okeh/Sony: 1928) US #20 Pop
Other versions include:
Teresa Brewer (Red Baron)
The Hotsy Totsy Gang/Vocal by Elizabeth Welch
The Mills Brothers (Brunswick)
Andre Previn & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony)
Don Redman & His Orchestra/Vocal by Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson & The Mills Brothers
(Brunswick/Sony)
Django Reinhardt
Wally Rose
DON'T BLAME ME (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"Don't Blame Me for falling in love with you.
I'm under your spell but how can I help it?...Don't Blame Me!"
Introduced by Jeanette Loff in the musical revue "Clowns In Clover" in 1933. Performed by Betty Garrett in the movie musical "The Big City" (MGM: 1948) and by Vic Damone in the movie drama "The Strip" (MGM: 1951) and by Constance Towers in the musical movie "Bring Your Smile Along" (Columbia: 1955).
Hit recordings:
Ethel Waters (Brunswick/Sony: 1933) US #6 Pop
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (Brunswick/Sony: 1933)
US #9 Pop
Charles Agnew & His Stevens Hotel Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1933) US #13 Pop
*+Nat 'King' Cole (Capitol: 1948) US #21 Pop
The Everly Brothers (Warner Bros/WSP: 1961) US #20 Pop, UK #20
Frank Ifield (UK Columbia (EMI): 1964) UK #8
Other versions include:
The Ames Brothers (Victor/BMG)
Tex Beneke & His Orchestra (First Time)
Ruby Braff (Black Lion)
Perry Como (RCA/BMG)
The Ray Conniff Singers (Columbia/Sony)
Barbara Cook (DRG)
Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis (Pablo/Fantasy)
The Miles Davis/Tadd Dameron Quintet (Columbia/Sony)
Bill Doggett (King/Global)
Eric Dolphy (Prestige/Fantasy)
Roy Eldridge (Verve/UME)
Erroll Garner (EmArcy/UME)
Jackie Gleason & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Robert Goulet (Columbia/Sony)
Dolores Gray (Capitol)
Coleman Hawkins' All American Four (EmArcy/UME)
Johnny Hodges (Verve/UME)
Helen Humes
Dick Hyman (MGM/UME)
Frank Ifield (EMI)
Illinois Jacquet (Prestige/Fantasy)
Etta James (Chess/UME)
Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (Capitol)
The King Cole Trio (Capitol)
Frankie Laine
Yusef Lateef (Prestige/Fantasy)
Peggy Lee (Capitol)
Liberace (Columbia/Sony)
Gordon Macrae (Capitol)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia/Sony)
Howard McGhee (Bethlehem)
*Ann Miller (Varese Sarabande)
Thelonious Monk (Columbia/Sony)
Mark Murphy (Audiophile)
Charlie Parker (Dial)
Oscar Peterson (Clef/UME)
The Platters (Mercury/UME)
Bud Powell (Blue Note)
Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
Johnnie Ray (Columbia/Sony)
Andy Russell (Capitol)
George Shearing Quintet (Capitol)
Supersax & L.A. Voices (Columbia/Sony)
Art Tatum (Capitol)
Joe Turner
McCoy Tyner (Blue Note)
Sarah Vaughan (Musicraft/UME)
Sarah Vaughan & Lester Young (Blue Note)
Ben Webster (Savoy)
Paul Weston & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Gerald Wiggins (Concord Jazz)
Lee Wiley
Mary Lou Williams (Crescendo)
Timi Yuro (Liberty/Capitol)
*In 1987, Jimmy McHugh compositions formed the basis of the score of the stage musical "Sugar Babies" which initially starred veteran stars Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller. Ms. Miller's performance of DON'T BLAME ME was a highlight of the Broadway cast recording.
*+The Nat King Cole version which charted in 1948 was a recording that Nat made with his trio in May 1945.
EVERYTHING IS HOTSY TOTSY NOW (JM/Irving Mills)
Hit recording:
Gene Austin (Victor/BMG: 1925) US #9 Pop
Other versions include:
The Hotsy Totsy Boys featuring Irving Mills (vocal) & Duke Ellington (piano) (Gennett)
EXACTLY LIKE YOU (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"I know why I've waited, know why I've been blue;
Prayed each night for someone, Exactly Like You"
Performed by Harry Richman & Gertrude Lawrence in the Broadway musical, "International Revue of 1930".
Hit recordings:
Ruth Etting (Columbia/Sony: 1930) US #11 Pop
Harry Richman (Brunswick/UME: 1930) US #12 Pop
Sam Lanin & His Orchestra/vocal by Smith Ballew (Perfect: 1930)
US #19 Pop
The Benny Goodman Trio/vocal by Lionel Hampton (Victor/BMG: 1936) US #12 Pop
Don Redman & His Orchestra (Variety: 1937) US #14 Pop
Other versions include:
Gene Ammons (Prestige/Fantasy)
Louis Armstrong (Decca/UME)
Count Basie (Decca/UME)
Count Basie & Oscar Peterson (Pablo/Fantasy)
Connee Boswell
Nat 'King' Cole (Capitol)
Bing Crosby (Delta)
Lou Donaldson (Blue Note)
Dutch Swing College Band (Everest)
Erroll Garner (Mercury/UME)
Dizzy Gillespie & Stan Getz (Verve/UME)
Stephane Grappelli (Vanguard)
Bobby Hackett & His Orchestra (Brunswick/UME)
The Lionel Hampton Sextet (Brunswick/UME)
Coleman Hawkins (Pablo/Fantasy)
Johnny Hodges (Verve/UME)
Helen Humes (Black & Blue/Classic Jazz)
Etta Jones (Muse)
The King Cole Trio (Capitol)
Frank DeVol & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Erroll Garner (Verve/UME)
Marvin Gaye (Tamla/UME)
Richard 'Groove' Holmes (Pacific Jazz/Capitol)
Abbey Lincoln (Riverside/Fantasy)
Carmen McRae (Decca/UME)
Willie Nelson (Columbia/Sony)
Anita O'Day (Storyville)
Oscar Peterson (Clef/UME)
Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
Sue Raney (Capitol)
Dianne Reeves (Blue Note)
Django Reinhardt & Coleman Hawkins
Nina Simone (Colpix/Rhino)
Kay Starr (Crescendo)
Sarah Vaughan (Mercury/UME)
Fran Warren (Simitar)
Johnny 'Guitar' Watson (Chess/UME)
Ben Webster (Inner City)
Lester Young
GO HOME AND TELL YOUR MOTHER (JM/Dorothy Fields)
Performed by Robert Montgomery & Dorothy Jordan in the musical comedy movie "Love In The Rough" (MGM: 1930)
Hit recordings:
Gus Arnheim & His Orchestra/vocal by Bobby Burns (Victor/BMG: 1930) US #3 Pop
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (Columbia/Sony: 1930)
US #8 Pop
GOODBYE BLUES (JM/Dorothy Fields/Arnold Johnson)
Hit recordings:
The Mills Brothers (Brunswick/Sony: 1932) US #4 Pop
Other versions include:
Rosemary Clooney
Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra/Vocal by Harlan Lattimore
HERE COMES HEAVEN AGAIN (JM/Harold Adamson)
"When you walk by and everybody starts to sign, Here Comes Heaven Again"
Performed by Perry Como in the movie musical "Doll Face" (20th Century Fox: 1945)
Hit recording:
Perry Como (Victor/BMG: 1945) US #12 Pop
Other versions include:
Kate Smith (Columbia/Sony)
HOW BLUE THE NIGHT (JM/Harold Adamson)
"How Blue The Night, how long the day...
How Blue The Night with you away"
A song of lost love written for crooner Dick Haymes to sing in his first motion picture.
Performed by Dick Haymes in the movie musical "Four Jills In A Jeep" (20th Century Fox: 1944)
Hit recording:
Dick Haymes (Decca/UME: 1944) US #11 Pop
Other versions include:
Billy Eckstine
Stan Kenton & His Orchestra/vocal by Gene Howard (Capitol)
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH ME
(JM/Clarence Gaskill)
"Your eyes of blue, your kisses too, I never knew what they could do...
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me"
Performed initially in the 1927 Broadway revue "Gay Paree" and by Aida Ward at the famed Cotton Club in Harlem. Featured prominently in the score of the movie drama "The Caine Mutiny" (Columbia: 1954). Performed by Connie Francis & Danny Thomas in the movie musical "Looking For Love" (MGM: 1964).
Hit recordings:
Roger Wolfe Kahn & His Orchestra (Victor/BMG: 1927) US #11 Pop
The Ames Brothers (RCA/BMG: 1953) US #22 Pop
Other versions include:
Ray Anthony & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Louis Armstrong (Decca/UME)
Count Basie & His Orchestra/vocal by Jimmy Rushing (Vocalion/Sony)
Sidney Bechet
Tony Bennett (Columbia)
Benny Carter
June Christy
Nat 'King' Cole
Bing Crosby (Decca/UME)
Duke Ellington
Ella Fitzgerald (Decca/UME)
The Four Freshmen (Capitol)
Connie Francis (MGM/UME)
The Erroll Garner Trio (Savoy)
Jackie Gleason & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Dexter Gordon
The Lionel Hampton Sextet (Brunswick/UME)
Coleman Hawkins with Roy Eldridge & Benny Carter (Commodore/Mainstream)
Billie Holiday (Columbia/Sony)
Morgana King (Muse)
Herbie Mann (Prestige/Fantasy)
Dean Martin (Capitol)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia/Sony)
Dave McKenna (Concord Jazz)
Other versions include: (continued):
Yehudi Menuhin & Stephane Grappelli (Angel/Capitol)
Gerry Mulligan & Lee Konitz (Blue Note)
The Red Norvo Trio (Savoy)
Anita O'Day with Stan Kenton (Capitol)
The Les Paul Trio
Oscar Peterson (Clef)
*Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
Louis Prima (Capitol)
Django Reinhardt
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Diane Schuur (GRP)
Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (Bluebird/BMG)
Frank Sinatra (Capitol)
Mel Torme (Tops)
T-Bone Walker
Dinah Washington (Mercury/UME)
Faron Young (Capitol)
Lester Young (Columbia/Sony)
Victor Young & His Orchestra (Decca/UME)
*In 1964, pianist Andre Previn with His Trio and Orchestra recorded the album "Soft And Swinging: The Music Of Jimmy McHugh" for Columbia. Other McHugh standards on the record included DON'T BLAME ME, I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, DIGA DIGA DOO, EXACTLY LIKE YOU and ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET.
I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE (BABY)
(JM/Dorothy Fields)
"...That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile, we're sure to find...
Happiness and I guess all those things you've always longed for"
Introduced by Patsy Kelly in the 1927 Broadway revue "Delmar's Revels" and subsequently featured in the Broadway musical "Blackbirds Of 1928". Performed by Cary Grant & Katharine Hepburn in the movie comedy "Bringing Up Baby" (RKO: 1939) Performed by Lena Horne & Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson in the movie musical "Stormy Weather" (20th Century Fox: 1943) . Performed by Louis Armstrong in the musical movie "Jam Session" (1944). Performed by Judy Holliday in the movie comedy "Born Yesterday" (Columbia: 1950). Performed by Ann Blyth (dubbed by Gogi Grant) in the movie musical "The Helen Morgan Story" (Warner Bros: 1959)
Hit recordings:
Cliff Edwards (Columbia/Sony: 1928) US #1 Pop
Ben Selvin & His Orchestra/vocal by Vaughn DeLeath
(Columbia/Sony: 1928) US #2 Pop
Johnny Hamp & His Orchestra (Victor/BMG: 1928) US #4 Pop
Seger Ellis & His Orchestra featuring Tommy Dorsey (Okeh/Sony: 1928) US #19 Pop
Gene Austin (Victor/BMG: 1929) US #12 Pop
Nat Shilkret & The Victor Orchestra (Victor/BMG: 1929) US #12 Pop
Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra featuring Billie Holiday (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #5 Pop
Rose Murphy (Majestic: 1948) US #13 Pop
Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra (Decca/UME: 1966)
US #6 AC, #100 Pop
Other versions include:
"Ain't Misbehavin'" cast album (RCA/BMG)
Gene Ammons (Prestige/Fantasy)
Louis Armstrong & His Savoy Ballroom Five (Okeh/Sony)
Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra (Decca/UME)
Big Maybelle (Brunswick/CSM)
Benny Carter (Prestige/Fantasy)
Bobby Darin (Atco/WSP)
Marlene Dietrich
Fats Domino (Imperial/Capitol)
**Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (Bluebird/BMG, Brunswick/Sony & Capitol)
Frances Faye (Capitol)
Ferrante & Teicher (UA/Capitol)
Ella Fitzgerald (Pablo/Fantasy)
The Four Seasons (WSP)
Judy Garland (Capitol)
The Erroll Garner Trio (Atlantic)
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (Bluebird/BMG)
Adelaide Hall with Fats Waller (Jazz Archives)
Lionel Hampton
Earl "Fatha" Hines (Fantasy)
Billie Holiday (Columbia/Sony)
Lena Horne
Al Jolson
The King Cole Trio (Capitol)
Diana Krall (Impulse/UME)
Peggy Lee (Capitol)
Liberace (Dot/UME)
Gloria Lynne (Everest)
Dean Martin (Capitol)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia/Sony)
Robert Maxwell & His Orchestra (Command/UME)
Mrs. Mills (UK Parlophone/EMI)
The Mills Brothers (Brunswick)
Lee Newman
Oscar Peterson (Clef)
Louis Prima & Keely Smith
Django Reinhardt
*Mickey Rooney & Ann Miller
Art Tatum
Nino Tempo & April Stevens
Clark Terry (Pablo/Fantasy)
Mel Torme
Joe Turner (Pablo/Fantasy)
Steve Tyrell (Atlantic/WSP)
Sarah Vaughan (Roulette/Blue Note)
Fats Waller
Ethel Waters
Danny Williams & Nelson Riddle (UK EMI)
*I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE along with I'M SHOOTING HIGH (McHugh/Koehler), WHEN YOU AND I WERE YOUNG MAGGIE BLUES (McHugh/Frost) and ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET (McHugh/Fields) comprised "The McHugh Medley" as performed by Mickey Rooney & Ann Miller on the Broadway cast recording of "Sugar Babies" (Varese Sarabande).
**In February 1933, Duke Ellington recorded two medleys of songs such as this which were introduced in Lew Leslie's "Blackbirds" revues. Blackbirds medley Part 1 included these other McHugh compositions: I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE, DOIN' THE NEW LOWDOWN, I MUST HAVE THAT MAN, and BABY! Blackbirds medley Part 2 includes DIXIE, DIGA DIGA DOO, PORGY and I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE. Issued originally on Brunswick, these masters are owned by Sony.
I FEEL A SONG COMIN' ON (JM/Dorothy Fields/George Oppenheimer) "It's a victorious, happy and glorious new strain!"
Performed by Alice Faye and by Alice Faye with Patsy Kelly & Frances Langford in the movie musical "Every Night At Eight" (Paramount: 1935). Featured in the 1979 Broadway musical "Sugar Babies".
Hit recording:
+Frances Langford (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #15 Pop
Other versions include:
Chris Connor & Maynard Ferguson (Roulette/Blue Note)
Frank DeVol & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Alice Faye (Columbia/Sony)
Judy Garland (Capitol)
Vince Hill (EMI)
Al Jolson
Dean Martin (Capitol)
Oscar Peterson (Clef)
Sonny Rollins (Prestige/Fantasy)
"Sugar Babies" cast album
Jerry Vale (Columbia/Sony)
+Frances Langford recorded another McHugh/Fields song SPEAKING CONFIDENTIALLY from the same movie
and on the same 1935 recording session.
I MUST HAVE THAT MAN (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"It's just unlawful how that boy can cheat but I Must Have That Man"
A milestone, heartfelt torch ballad. Introduced by Adelaide Hall in the Broadway revue "Blackbirds Of 1928".
Hit recording:
Ben Selvin & His Orchestra/Vocal by Vaughn DeLeath (Columbia/Sony: 1928) US #10 Pop
Other versions include:
Louis Armstrong
Ruby Braff (Sackville)
Eddie Condon with Bobby Hackett (Kings Of Jazz)
Barbara Cook (DRG)
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra/vocal by Adelaide Hall
Ella Fitzgerald (Decca/UME)
Bobby Hackett (Pearl Topaz Jazz)
Adelaide Hall
Annette Hanshaw (Harmony/Sensation)
Abbey Lincoln
Julie London (Capitol)
Sonny Rollins (Riverside/Fantasy)
Jeri Southern (Roulette/Blue Note)
Maxine Sullivan (Audiophile)
Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra/Vocal by Billie Holiday (Columbia/Sony)
I WON'T DANCE (JM/Dorothy Fields/Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein/Otto Harbach)
"I Won't Dance, don't ask me. I Won't Dance, Madame, with you...
My heart won't let my feet do things they should do"
Performed by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in the movie musical "Roberta" (RKO: 1935) and by Marge & Gower Champion in the movie musical "Lovely To Look At" (MGM: 1952)
Hit recordings:
Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra/Vocal by Lew Sherwood (Victor/BMG: 1935) US #1 Pop
Johnny Green & His Orchestra/Vocals by Marjorie Logan & Jimmy Farrell (Columbia/Sony: 1935) US #6 Pop
Leo Reisman & His Orchestra/Vocal by Phil Dewey (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #35 Pop
George Hall & His Orchestra/Vocals by Loretta Lee & Sonny Schuyler (Bluebird/BMG: 1935) US #20 Pop
Other versions include:
Fred Astaire (Sony & Verve/UME)
Barbara Carroll (Touchwood)
Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra (London/UME)
Blossom Dearie (Verve/UME)
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong (Verve/UME)
Stephane Grappelli
Peggy Lee (Capitol)
Skip Martin & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia)
Oscar Peterson & Stephane Grappelli (Prestige/Fantasy)
George Shearing (Concord Jazz)
Frank Sinatra (Capitol & Reprise)
Art Tatum (Pablo/Fantasy)
Margaret Whiting (Verve/UME)
I'D KNOW YOU ANYWHERE (JM/Johnny Mercer)
Performed by Ginny Simms & Harry Babbitt in the movie musical "You'll Find Out" (RKO Radio: 1940)
Hit recording:
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal by Ray Eberle (Bluebird/BMG: 1940) US #24 Pop
Other versions include:
Buddy Clark (Columbia/Sony)
Gene Krupa & His Orchestra (Okeh/Sony)
Johnny Mercer
Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey (RCA)
I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"...simply because you're near me.
Funny but when you're near me, I'm In The Mood For Love"
Introduced by Frances Langford in the movie musical "Every Night At Eight" (Paramount: 1935). Also performed by Frances Langford on the soundtrack of "Palm Springs" (Paramount: 1936), by Gloria De Haven in "Between Two Women" (MGM: 1944) and by Dean Martin in "That's My Boy" (Paramount: 1951)
Hit recordings:
Little Jack Little & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1935)
US #1 Pop
Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra (Decca/UME: 1935) US #3 Pop
Frances Langford (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #15 Pop
Leo Reisman & His Orchestra/Vocal by Frank Luther (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #18 Pop
Billy Eckstine (National/UME: 1946) US #12 Pop
The Chimes (Tag: 1961) US #38 Pop
++Lord Tanamo (Mooncrest: 1990) UK #58
Other versions include:
Gene Austin (RCA/BMG)
Shirley Bassey (EMI)
Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra (London/UME)
Rosemary Clooney (Columbia/Sony)
Arnett Cobb (Okeh/Sony)
Nat 'King' Cole (Capitol)
The Ray Conniff Singers (Columbia/Sony)
Barbara Cook (DRG)
Doris Day (Columbia/Sony)
Milton Delugg & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony)
Fats Domino (Imperial/Capitol)
Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
Ferrante & Teicher (United Artists/Capitol)
Bryan Ferry (Virgin)
Eddie Fisher (RCA/BMG)
Ella Fitzgerald (Pablo/Fantasy)
The Flamingos (End/Rhino)
The Four Aces (Decca/UME)
Erroll Garner (Columbia/Sony)
Jackie Gleason & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Earl Grant (Decca/UME)
Johnny Guarnieri (Savoy)
Adelaide Hall (Ultraphone/Jazz Archives)
Coleman Hawkins (EmArcy/UME)
Ted Heath & His Orchestra (London/UME)
Hildegarde
Leroy Holmes & His Orchestra (MGM/UME)
Shirley Horn (Verve/UME)
Joni James
Spike Jones (RCA/BMG)
The King Cole Trio (Capitol)
Frankie Laine (Mercury/UME)
Liberace (Dot/UME)
Joe Loco (Tico)
Julie London (Liberty/Capitol)
Ralph Marterie & His Orchestra (Mercury/UME)
Steve Martin (Warner Bros/WSP)
Al Martino (Capitol)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia/Sony)
Ann Miller (Varese Sarabande)
James Moody (Prestige/Fantasy)
Mark Murphy (Audophile)
Lee Newman (Original Cast)
Patti Page (Columbia/Sony)
Charlie Parker (Clef/UME)
Oscar Peterson (Clef/UME)
King Pleasure (Aladdin/Capitol)
Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
Louis Prima (Capitol)
Katryna Ranieri (Victor/BMG)
George Shearing (Capitol)
Terry Snyder (Command/UME)
Art Tatum (Verve/UME)
Steve Tyrell (Atlantic/WSP)
Sarah Vaughan (Mercury/UME)
Charlie Watts (Virgin)
Mae West (Decca/UME)
Paul Weston & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Roger Williams (Kapp/UME)
Lester Young (Verve/UME)
++The version by reggae artist Lord Tanamo is also known as I'M IN THE MOOD FOR SKA.
In 1952, jazz singer King Pleasure with vocal assist from Blossom Dearie recorded MOODY MOOD FOR LOVE, a vocalese performance based on I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE as adapted by tenor saxman James Moody. The record became an R&B seller and is detailed below under its own separate song entry.
I'M SHOOTING HIGH (JM/Ted Koehler)
"I'm Shooting High...Got my eye on a star in the sky"
Performed by Alice Faye in the movie musical "King Of Burlesque" (20th Fox: 1935)
Hit recordings:
Jan Garber & His Orchestra/Vocal by Lee Bennett (Decca/UME: 1936) US #3 Pop
Little Jack Little & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony: 1936)
US #15 Pop
Other versions include:
Louis Armstrong
Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra (London/UME)
Chris Connor (Atlantic/WSP)
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (Victor/BMG)
Alice Faye (Columbia/Sony)
Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
Ann Richards (Capitol)
Mel Torme (Verve/UME)
IN A GREAT BIG WAY (JM/Dorothy Fields)
Performed by Billy Taylor in the 1928 Broadway musical "Hello Daddy!"
Hit recording:
Annette Hanshaw (Harmony: 1929) US #19 Pop
LET'S SING AGAIN (JM/Gus Kahn)
Performed by Bobby Breen in the movie musical "Let's Sing Again" (RKO: 1936)
Hit recordings:
Fats Waller (Victor/BMG: 1936) US #4 Pop
Bobby Breen (Decca/UME: 1936) US #14 Pop
THE LONESOMEST GIRL IN TOWN (JM/Al Dubin/Irving Mills)
Introduced by The Hotsy Totsy Boys (Jimmy McHugh and Irving Mills)
Hit recording:
Morton Downey (Brunswick/UME: 1926) US #12 Pop
LOST IN A FOG (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"Like a ship at sea, I'm just Lost In A Fog...
My mind is hazy, my thoughts are blue, Guess I'll always be kind-a Lost In A Fog without you"
This song had a number of different lives; it was originally introduced in a revue, then it was used as the radio theme of The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra and finally, it was featured in the movie drama "Have A Heart" (MGM: 1934).
Hit recordings:
Rudy Vallee & His Connecticut Yankees (Victor/BMG: 1934)
US #4 Pop
The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra/Vocal by Bob Crosby (Decca/UME: 1934) US #15 Pop
Other versions include:
Connie Boswell (Sony)
Frank DeVol & His Orchestra (Capitol)
LOVELY LADY (JM/Ted Koehler)
"Lovely Lady, I'm falling madly in love with you...
It's a feeling beyond concealing, what can I do?"
Performed by Kenny Baker in the movie musical "King Of Burlesque" (20th Fox: 1935)
Hit recording:
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal by Buddy Gately (Victor/BMG: 1936) US #12 Pop
Other versions include:
Mantovani & His Orchestra (London/UME)
LOVELY TO LOOK AT (JM/Dorothy Fields/Jerome Kern)
"You're Lovely To Look At, delightful to know and heaven to kiss: a combination like this Is quite my most impossible dream come true, Imagine finding a dream like you!"
Performed by by Irene Dunne and by Fred Astaire in the movie musical "Roberta" (RKO: 1935).
Performed by Howard Keel in the movie musical "Lovely To Look At" (MGM: 1952)
Hit recordings:
Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra/Vocal by Lew Sherwood (Victor/BMG: 1935) US #1 Pop
Leo Reisman & His Orchestra/Vocal by Phil Dewey (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #10 Pop
Irene Dunne (Brunswick/Sony: 1935) US #20 Pop
Other versions include:
Fred Astaire (Verve/UME)
Ray Conniff (Columbia/Sony)
Sammy Davis Jr. (Decca/UME)
Larry Elgart & His Manhattan Swing Orchestra (K-Tel)
Erroll Garner (Telarc)
Carroll Gibbons & The Savoy Hotel Orpheans
Dick Haymes
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
Joe Loss & His Orchestra (EMI)
Gordon Macrae (Capitol)
Henry Mancini & His Orchestra (RCA/BMG)
Arthur Tracy
Paul Weston & His Orchestra (Columbia/Sony)
MOODY MOOD FOR LOVE (JM/Dorothy Fields/James Moody)
Based on I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (see details above under this title)
Hit recording:
King Pleasure (Prestige/Fantasy: 1952) US #2 R&B
Other versions include:
Aretha Franklin (Atlantic/WSP)
King Pleasure (Aladdin/Blue Note)
Mark Murphy (32 Jazz)
Esther Phillips (Roulette/Rhino)
THE MUSIC STOPPED (JM/Harold Adamson)
"The Music Stopped - and people were glancing
But we went on dancing for we didn't know...
Because the lights were low - and we were in love"
Performed by Frank Sinatra in the movie musical "Higher And Higher" (RKO: 1943)
Hit recording:
Woody Herman & His Orchestra/Vocal by Frances Wayne (Decca/UME: 1944) US #10 Pop
Other versions include:
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
Frank Sinatra (Columbia/Sony)
Keely Smith (Concord Jazz)
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET (JM/Dorothy Fields)
"Grab your coat and get your hat, leave your worry on the doorstep...
Just direct your feet to The Sunny Side Of The Street"
Performed by Harry Richman in the 1930 Broadway production "International Revue". Performed by Frankie Laine in "Sunny Side Of The Street" (Columbia: 1951). Performed by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra in the biographical movie "The Benny Goodman Story" (Universal: 1956). Performed by Carmen Cavallaro on the soundtrack of the movie "The Eddy Duchin Story" (Columbia: 1956)
Performed by Ann Blyth (dubbed by Gogi Grant) in the movie musical "The Helen Morgan Story" (Warner Bros: 1959)
Hit recordings:
Ted Lewis & His Band (Columbia/Sony: 1930) US #2 Pop
Harry Richman (Brunswick/UME: 1930) US #13 Pop
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal by The Sentimentalists (Victor/BMG: 1945) US #16 Pop
Jo Stafford with The Pied Pipers (Capitol: 1945) US #17 Pop
Other versions include:
Louis Armstrong (Columbia/Sony)
Sidney Bechet & Lionel Hampton (Everest)
Tony Bennett (Columbia/Sony)
Mr. Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band
The Coasters (Atco/WSP)
Russ Conway (EMI)
Bing Crosby
The Delta Rhythm Boys (Mercury/UME)
Frank DeVol & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Bill Doggett (King/Global)
Roy Eldridge (Pablo/Fantasy)
Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra w/vocal by Ivie Anderson (Jazz Arch)
Judy Garland (Decca/UME)
Erroll Garner (Savoy)
Dizzy Gillespie (Verve/UME)
Stephane Grappelli (Vanguard)
Lionel Hampton (RCA/BMG)
Coleman Hawkins (Prestige/Fantasy)
Ted Heath & His Band (London/UME)
Johnny Hodges (Pablo/Fantasy)
Billie Holiday (Atlantic/WSP)
Milt Jackson & Count Basie (Pablo/Fantasy)
Pete Johnson & Cozy Cole (Savoy)
The King Cole Trio (Capitol)
Nellie Lutcher
Jay McShann (Capitol)
Roy Milton (Specialty/Fantasy)
Glenn Miller's Modernaires (United Artists/Capitol)
Lucky Millinder with Tab Smith
Willie Nelson (Columbia/Sony)
Lee Newman (Original Cast)
Les Paul & Mary Ford (Capitol)
Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
Bobby Short (Atlantic/WSP)
Frank Sinatra (Capitol)
Keely Smith (Capitol)
Art Tatum (Pablo/Fantasy and Roulette/Capitol)
Mel Torme & George Shearing (Concord Jazz)
Chick Webb (MCA/UME)
Joe Williams (RCA/BMG)
Lester Young (Aladdin/Blue Note)
SOUTH AMERICAN WAY (JM/Al Dubin)
"Hi-yi, hi-yi, have you ever danced in the tropics...
In that lazy, hazy-like, kind of crazy-like South American Way?"
An infectious rhumba closely associated with the Brazilian bombshell, Carmen Miranda. Introduced by Ramon Vinay in the musical stage revue "Streets Of Paris" (1939). Performed by Carmen Miranda in the movie musical "Down Argentine Way" (20th Century Fox: 1940)
Hit recordings:
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (Decca/UME: 1939) US #5 Pop
Al Donahue & His Orchestra/Vocal by Paula Kelly (Vocalion/Sony: 1939) US #14 Pop
Other versions include:
The Andrews Sisters (Decca/UME)
Carmen Miranda (Decca/UME)
Marisa Monte (World Pacific/Capitol)
THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR (JM/Harold Adamson)
Performed by Tony Martin in the romantic comedy "Banjo On My Knee" (20th Century Fox: 1936)
Hit recording:
Shep Fields & His Rippling Rhythm/Vocal by Bob Goday (Bluebird/BMG: 1937) US #5 Pop
Other versions include:
Ruth Etting
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Artie Shaw & His Orchestra/Vocal by Peg LaCentra (Brunswick/Sony)
TOO YOUNG TO GO STEADY (JM/Harold Adamson)
Performed in the musical "Strip For Action".
Hit recordings:
Nat 'King' Cole (Capitol: 1956) US #21 Pop
Patti Page (Mercury/UME: 1956) US #73 Pop
Connie Stevens (Warner Bros/WSP: 1960) US #71 Pop
Other versions include:
Karrin Allyson (Concord)
John Coltrane Quartet (Impulse/UME)
Kurt Elling (Blue Note)
The Keith Jarrett Trio (ECM)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia/Sony)
Lita Roza (UK Decca/UME)
The Pharoah Sanders Quartet (Theresa/Evidence)
Tommy Sands (Capitol)
Anne Shelton (Philips/UME)
WARM AND WILLING (JM/Jay Livingston/Ray Evans)
"Show me that you're Warm And Willing, make each golden moment thrilling...
Give my empty arms a welcome sign"
Performed in the Sal Mineo/Christine Carere comedy movie "A Private's Affair" (20th Century Fox: 1959).
Recordings include:
Nat 'King' Cole (Capitol)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia/Sony)
Andy Williams (Columbia/Sony)
WHEN MY SUGAR WALKS DOWN THE STREET
(JM/Gene Austin/Irving Mills)
"And in the evening when the sun goes down, it's never dark when she's around"
Jimmy McHugh's first hit composition with a lyric co-written and introduced by crooner Gene Austin. Performed by Henry 'Hot Lips' Levine & His Dixieland Jazz Band in a 1942 Soundie.
Hit recordings:
Aileen Stanley & Gene Austin (Victor/BMG: 1925) US #3 Pop
Warner's Seven Aces (Columbia/Sony: 1925) US #14 Pop
Ella Fitzgerald (Decca/UME: 1944) US #27 Pop
Other versions include:
The Al Belletto Quintet (Capitol)
Louis Bellson & His Orchestra
Joe 'Fingers' Carr (Warner Bros/WSP)
Nat 'King' Cole (Capitol)
Eddie Condon (Columbia/Sony)
Vic Damone (Columbia/Sony)
The Four Freshmen (Capitol)
Earl Grant (Decca/UME)
Phil Harris
The Ink Spots
The Kirby Stone Four (Columbia/Sony)
Peggy Lee (Capitol)
Wingy Manone & His Orchestra (Bluebird/BMG)
Johnny Mathis (Columbia/Sony)
Billy May & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Ella Mae Morse (Capitol)
Turk Murphy's Jazz Band
Lee Newman (Original Cast)
Oscar Peterson (Clef)
Andre Previn (Columbia/Sony)
Dick Stabile & His Orchestra (Capitol)
Lawrence Welk & His Orchestra
WHERE THE LAZY RIVER GOES BY
(JM/Harold Adamson/Errol Collins)
Performed by Barbara Stanwyck & Tony Martin in the romantic comedy "With A Banjo On My Knee" (20th Century Fox: 1936)
Hit recording:
Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra/Vocal by Midge Williams (Brunswick/Sony: 1937) US #7 Pop
In the same movie, the title song WITH A BANJO ON MY KNEE (McHugh/Adamson) was performed by Buddy Ebsen.
WITH ALL MY HEART (JM/Gus Kahn)
Performed by Peggy Conklin in the comedy movie "Her Master's Voice" (Paramount: 1936)
Hit recordings:
Hal Kemp & His Orchestra (Brunswick/Sony: 1936) US #3 Pop
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra/Vocal by Kenny Sargent (Decca/UME: 1936) US #9 Pop
YOU'VE GOT ME THIS WAY (JM/Johnny Mercer)
Introduced by Kay Kyser in the movie musical "You'll Find Out" (RKO Radio: 1940)
Hit recordings:
Kay Kyser & His Orchestra/vocal by Harry Babbitt (Columbia/Sony: 1940) US #12 Pop
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra/Vocal by Marion Hutton (Bluebird/BMG: 1940) US #12 Pop
Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal by Helen O'Connell (Decca/UME: 1941) US #19 Pop
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra/Vocal by The Pied Pipers (Victor/BMG: 1942) US #14 Pop
Other versions include:
Harry Babbitt (Coral/UME)
All lyric extracts above are the copyright of EMI Music Publishing.
U.S. Chart positions from Billboard Publications courtesy of BPI Communications and Joel Whitburn's Record Research.
Biography courtesy of Michael Feinstein
Song list courtesy of Alan Warner |
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| Don't Blame Me |
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| I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me |
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| I Must Have That Man |
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| I Can't Give You Anything But Love |
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| I Won't Dance |
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| On The Sunny Side Of The Street |
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| Too Young To Go Steady |
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| When My Sugar Walks Down The Street |
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