Song 63 – Cry Me A River

SONG: Cry Me a River ARTIST: Julie London YEAR: 1955 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: Cry Me a River is the first American torch song we’ve had on the blog. A torch song is basically a type of sentimental unrequited love song, where the singer is usually singing about a love who is unawareContinue reading “Song 63 – Cry Me A River”

Song 62 – Only You

SONG: Only You ARTIST: The Platters YEAR: 1955 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: Only You (and You Alone) was written by Buck Ram in 1954 and originally recorded by the Platters that same year, however the recording was not released.  The group moved to Mercury records in 1955 and re-recorded the song and releasedContinue reading “Song 62 – Only You”

Song 61 – Tutti Frutti

061 SONG REVIEW – Tutti Frutti SONG: Tutti Frutti ARTIST: Little Richard YEAR: 1955 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: Tutti Frutti, which Wikipedia has helpfully translated to “All fruits” was written by Little Richard and Dorothy LaBostrie, and was Little Richard’s first major hit record. The very first refrain (A-wop-bop-a-loo-mop-a-lop-bam-boom) was originially Little Richard’sContinue reading “Song 61 – Tutti Frutti”

Album #7 – Songs For Swingin’ Lovers!

ALBUM TITLE: Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! ARTIST NAME: Frank Sinatra YEAR OF RELEASE: 1956 Favourite Song: Holly: I’ve Got You Under My Skin Kelly: You Make Me Feel So Young ALBUM HISTORY: Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! Is the tenth album by Frank Sinatra, and his fourth for Capitol Records. The album was arranged by NelsonContinue reading “Album #7 – Songs For Swingin’ Lovers!”

Song 60 – In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning

SONG: In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning ARTIST: Frank Sinatra YEAR: 1955 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning was written in 1955 by David Manna and Bob Hilliard and the title track on the Frank Sinatra album of the same name.  Both men were songwritingContinue reading “Song 60 – In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning”

Song 59 – I Get Along Without You Very Well

SONG: I Get Along Without You Very Well ARTIST: Chet Baker YEAR: 1954 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: “I Get Along Without You Very Well” was composed by Hoagy Carmichael in 1939, with lyrics based on a poem written by Jane Brown Thompson and the main melodic theme based on the Fantaisie-Impromptu in CContinue reading “Song 59 – I Get Along Without You Very Well”

Song 58 – Rock Around the Clock

SONG: Rock Around the Clock ARTIST: Bill Haley & His Comets YEAR: 1954 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: There is some debate as to when Rock Around the Clock was first written, some sources say 1953 and others indicate it was 1952.  It was written by Max C. Friedman and James E. Myers (MyersContinue reading “Song 58 – Rock Around the Clock”

Song 57 – Shake, Rattle and Roll

SONG: Shake, Rattle, and Roll ARTIST: Big Joe Turner and His Blues Kings YEAR: 1954 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: “Shake, Rattle and Roll” is another in our series of blues songs that looked to blur the lines between blues and rock. It has a standard twelve bar blues form, and was written inContinue reading “Song 57 – Shake, Rattle and Roll”

Song 56 – My Funny Valentine

SONG: My Funny Valentine ARTIST: Chet Baker YEAR: 1954 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: My Funny Valentine is a jazz standard originally written for the musical Babes in Arms by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and debuted by child star Mitzi Green on April 14, 1937.  In the show the character Billie is singingContinue reading “Song 56 – My Funny Valentine”

Song 55 – The Wind

SONG: The Wind ARTIST: Nolan Strong & The Diablos YEAR: 1954 Listen to it here:  THE SONG: “The Wind” was originally recorded on a 45rpm record with “Baby Be Mine” by Nolan Strong & The Diablos. The lyrics are about a man who feels the summer wind blowing as he thinks about a lover whoContinue reading “Song 55 – The Wind”