INDEX OF SONGS & LYRICS “A”
A Fine Romance	3 versions
A Foggy Day
A Sailboat In The Moonlight
A Sunbonnet Blue (And a Yellow Straw Hat)
A Yiddishe Momme
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do	7 versions
All Of Me	12 versions
All Of You
All Or Nothing At All
All The Way
Always
Am I Blue?	3 versions
Any Old Time
April In My Heart	2 versions
April In Paris
As Time Goes By	2 versions
Autumn In New York	2 versions

1. A Fine Romance (1936)

Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Music by Jerome Kern

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1936	MT	26	Complete on Columbia v.2	1	2’49”

A fine romance with no kisses
A fine romance my friend this is
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes
But you’re as cold as yesterday’s mashed potatoes
A fine romance you won’t nestle
A fine romance you won’t wrestle
I might as well play bridge with my old maid aunt
I haven’t got a chance
This is a fine romance

(bridge)

A fine romance my good fellow
You take romance I’ll take Jell-O
You’re calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
A fine romance with no quarrels
With no insults and all morals
I’ve never mussed the crease in your blue serge pants
I never get the chance
This is a fine romance

 

A Fine Romance – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1955	MT	268	Complete on Verve v.5	27	3’32”

A fine romance, with no kisses
A fine romance my friend this is
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes
But you’re as cold as yesterday’s mashed potatoes
A fine romance you won’t nestle
A fine romance you won’t wrestle
I might as well play bridge with my old maid aunts
I haven’t got a chance
This is a fine romance

(bridge)

A fine romance my good fellow
A fine romance I’ll take Jell-O
You’re calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
A fine romance with no quarrels
With no insults and all morals
I’ve never mussed the crease in your blue serge pants
I never get the chance
This is a fine romance

A fine romance, with no kisses
A fine romance my friend this is
We two should be like clams in a dish of chowder
But we just fizz like parts of a Seidlitz powder
A fine romance with no clinches
A fine romance with no pinches
You’re just as hard to land as the Ile de France
I haven’t got a chance
This is a fine romance

 

 A Fine Romance – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1955	AT	268a	Complete on Verve v.5	21	2’44”

A fine romance with no kisses
A fine romance my friend this is
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes
But you’re as cold as yesterday’s mashed potatoes
A fine romance you won’t nestle
A fine romance you won’t wrestle
I might as well play bridge with my old maid aunts
I haven’t got a chance
This is a fine romance

(bridge)

A fine romance my good fellow
You’ll take romance I’ll take Jell-O
You’re calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
A fine romance with no quarrels
With no insults and all morals
I’ve never mussed the crease in your blue serge pants
I never get the chance
This is a fine romance

 

Notes

This song first appeared in the film Swing Time, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

    A Fine Romance

 

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2. A Foggy Day (1937)

Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1957	MT	291	Complete on Verve v.8	21	4’40”

I was a stranger in the city
Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do? What to do? What to do?
The outlook was decidedly blue
But as walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I’ve known

A foggy day in London town
Had me low and had me down
I viewed the morning with such alarm
The British Museum had lost its charm

How long I wondered could this thing last
But the age of miracles hadn’t past
For suddenly I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere

(bridge)

A foggy day in London town
Had me low, had me down
I viewed the morning with such alarm
The British Museum had lost its charm

How long I wondered could this thing last
But the age of miracles hadn’t past
For suddenly I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining upside down

 

Notes

This song appeared in the Hollywood musical comedy “A Damsel in Distress” (1937) starring Fred Astaire e Joan Fontaine. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire while dancing and became an A standard.
   A Foggy Day

 

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3. A Sailboat In The Moonlight (1937)

Carmen Lombardo & John Jacob Loeb

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1937	MT	64	Complete on Columbia v.3	16	2’49”

A sailboat in the moonlight
And you
Wouldn’t that be heaven
A heaven just for two
A soft breeze on a June night and you
What a perfect setting
For letting dreams come true

A chance to sail away
To Sweetheart Bay
Beneath the stars that shine
A chance to drift
For you to lift
Your tender lips to mine
The things dear
That I long for are few
Just give me a sailboat in the moonlight and you

(bridge)

A chance to sail away
To Sweetheart Bay
Beneath the stars that shine
A chance to drift
For you to lift
Your tender lips to mine
The things dear
That I long for are few
Just give me a sailboat in the moonlight and you

 

---

4.A Sunbonnet Blue (And a Yellow Straw Hat)

Lyrics: Irving Kahal

Music: Sammy Fain

A sunbonnet blue and a yellow straw hat

Shy little he and she

Were declaring love’s old story

In the shade of the old apple tree

A sunbonnet blue and a yellow straw hat

Decided to say, “I do”

So they rode to June and glory

On a bicycle built for two

Hear the past. The song is old.

The summer days are through

With silver threads among the gold

They still say, “I love you”

A sunbonnet blue and a yellow straw hat

Are true to this very day

For he loves her in December

As he did in May

---

5. A Yiddishe Momme

Lew Pollack & Jack Yellen

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	REH	–	Complete on Verve v.6	22	–

[Rehearsal Fragment]

My yiddishe momme
I need her more then ever now
My yiddishe momme
I long to kiss her wrinkled brow
I long to hold her hands as in days gone by
And ask her to forgive me for
Things I did to make her cry
How few were her treasures
She never cared for fashion’s styles
Her jewels and her pleasures
She found them in her baby’s smiles
Oh I know what I owe
And I am today
To that dear little lady so old and gray
To that dear little yiddishe momme
Mother of mine

 

 

6. Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1929)

Lyrics by Andy Razaf
Music by Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller & Harry Brooks

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1955	MT	256	Complete on Verve v.3	18	4’39”

No one to talk with
All by myself
No one to walk with
But I’m happy on the shelf
Ain’t misbehavin’
I’m savin’ my love for you

I know for certain
The one I love
I’m through with flirtin’
It’s just you I’m thinkin’ of
Ain’t misbehavin’
Savin’ my love for you

Like Jack Horner
In the corner
Don’t go nowhere
What do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin’ for
Believe me

I don’t stay out late
Don’t care to go
I’m home about eight
Just me and my radio
Ain’t misbehavin’
Savin’ my love for you

(long bridge)

No one to talk with
All by myself
No one to walk with
But I’m happy on the shelf
Ain’t misbehavin’
Savin’ my love for you

I know for certain
The one I love
I’m through with flirtin’
It’s you I’m thinkin’ of
Ain’t misbehavin’
Savin’ my love for you

Like Jack Horner
In the corner
I don’t go nowhere
What do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin’ for
Believe me

I don’t stay out late
I don’t care to go
I’m home about eight
Just me and my radio
Ain’t misbehavin’
Savin’ my love for you

 

Notes

The original 1929 recording of Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Fats Waller received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1984, and it was one of fifty recordings selected for inclusion in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2004. Waller also performed the song in the 1943 film Stormy Weather.  The song served also as the title song of the successful 1978 musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Wikipedia).

  

 Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Fats Waller)

 

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7. Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do (1922)

Porter Grainger & Everett Robbins

Find below 7 versions of this lyrics

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1949	MT	200	Complete on Decca v.2	10	3’19”

There ain’t nothing I can do
Or nothing I can say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don’t care just what people say

If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If my man ain’t got no money
And I say take all mine honey
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Well I’d rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I swear I won’t call no copper
If I’m beat up by my Papa
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Nobody’s business
Ain’t nobody’s business
Nobody’s business if I do

 

Ain’t nobody’s business if I do – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1949	AT	200a	Complete on Decca v.2	9	3’15”

There ain’t nothing I can do
Or nothing I can say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don’t care just what people say

If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If my man ain’t got no money
And I say take all mine honey
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Well I’d rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I swear I won’t call no copper
If I’m beat up by my Papa
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Nobody’s business
Ain’t nobody’s business
Nobody’s business if I do

 

Ain’t nobody’s business if I do – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	78	Perfect Complete Collection v.4	7	2’20”

There ain’t nothing I ever do
Or nothing I ever say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don’t care just what people say

If I should take a notion
To jump right into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If my man ain’t got no money
And I say take all mine honey
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I’d rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I swear I won’t call no copper
If I’m beat up by my Papa
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Ain’t nobody’s business
Nobody’s business
Nobody’s business if I do

 

Ain’t nobody’s business if I do – 4th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	89	Perfect Complete Collection v.4	21	2’54”

There ain’t nothing I ever do
Or nothing I ever say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don’t care just what people say

If I should take a notion
To jump right into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If my man ain’t got no money
And I say take all mine honey
Ain’t nobody’s business what I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I’d rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I swear I won’t call no copper
If I’m beat up by my Papa
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Ain’t nobody’s business
Nobody’s business
Nobody’s business if I do

 

Ain’t nobody’s business if I do – 5th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	136	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	18	2’24”

There ain’t nothing I ever do
Or nothing I ever say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don’t care just what people say

If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Cabaret all day Monday
Nobody’s business what I do

My man ain’t got no money
Take all mine honey
Nobody’s business what I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle

I’d rather my man would hit me
Jump up and quit me
Nobody’s business if I do

I swear I won’t call no copper
Beat up by my Papa
Nobody’s business if I do

Nobody’s business,
Nobody’s business,
Nobody’s business if I do

 

Ain’t nobody’s business if I do – 6th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	LR	163	Complete on Verve v.8	3	2’30”

There ain’t nothing I ever do
Or nothing I ever say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to, anyway
And don’t care just what people say

If I should jump into an ocean
Right into the ocean
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If my man ain’t got no money
And I say take all of mine honey
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I’d rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I swear I won’t call no copper
If I’m beat up by my papa
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Ain’t nobody’s business,
Nobody’s business,
Nobody’s business if I do

 

Ain’t nobody’s business if I do – 7th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1958	LR	207	Private Recording	–	3’46”

Introduction
Fanfare: Oh, Lady Be Good

There ain’t nothing I ever do
Nothing I ever say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don’t care just what people say

If I should take an ocean
To jump right into the ocean
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

If my man ain’t got no money
And I say take all of mine honey
It ain’t nobody’s business what I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I’d rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

I swear I won’t call no copper
If I’m beat up by my papa
It ain’t nobody’s business if I do

Ain’t nobody’s business
Nobody’s business
Nobody’s business if I do

(applauses)

Notes

 This song was sung by Diana Ross who portrayed BH in the film Lady Sings the Blues (1972), loosely based on her 1956 autobiography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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8. All Of Me (1931)

Lyrics and music: Seymour Simons & Gerald Marks

Follows below 12 versions of the lyrics

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1941	MT	146	Complete in Columbia v.7	2	3’00”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them

Your good-bye

Left me with eyes that cry
How can I

Go on dear without you
You took the part

That once was my heart
So why not take

All of me?

(bridge)

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them

Your good-bye

Left me with eyes that cry
How can I

Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest
Baby, take all of me

 

All of me – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1941	AT	146a	Complete in Columbia v.10	9	2’57”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them

Your good-bye

Left me with eyes that cry
How can I

Go on dear without you
You took the part

That once was my heart
So why not take

All of me?

(bridge)

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them

Your good-bye

Left me with eyes that cry
How can I

Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest
Baby, take all of me

 

All of me – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1941	MT	147	Complete in Columbia v.10	10	3’50”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them

Your good-bye

Left me with eyes that cry
How can I

Go on dear without you
You took the part

That once was my heart
So why not take

All of me?

(bridge)

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them

Your good-bye

Left me with eyes that cry
How can I

Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Baby, take all of me

(studio talks, that have been erased in the LP)

 

All of me – 4th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1944	LR	19	Perfect Complete Collection v.1	17	1’45”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Hey, baby,
Take all of me

 

All of me – 5th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1945	LR	26	Perfect Complete Collection v.1	23	1’56”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Baby, take all of me

 

All of me – 6th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1946	LR	32	Complete on Verve v.1	8	1’56”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Hey, baby
Take all of me

 

All of me – 7th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1949	LR	67	Perfect Complete Collection v.3	20	3’49”

(TV program intro)

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Hey, baby
Take all of me

(compliments by Art Ford)

 

All of me – 8th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	90	Perfect Complete Collection v.4	22	1’41”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Hey, baby
Take all of me

 

All of me – 9th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	111	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	2	1’41”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Hey, baby
Take all of me

(applauses)

 

All of me – 10th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	119	Complete on Verve v.2	17	1’43”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Hey, baby
Take all of me

 

All of me – 11th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	133	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	15	1’53”

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
So why not take the rest?
Hey, baby
Take all of me

 

All of me – 12th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	135	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	17	1’48”

(introduction)

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the part
That once was my heart
So why not take
All of me?

All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see
I’m no good without you
Take my lips
I want to lose them
Take my arms
I’ll never use them
Your good-bye
Left me with eyes that cry
How can I
Go on dear without you
You took the best
Take the rest
Hey, baby
Take all of me

Notes

All of Me was first performed by Belle Baker (singer and actress 1893-1975) over the radio and recorded in December 1931 by Ruth Etting (singer and actress (1897-1978). It has become one of the most recorded songs of its era (Wikipedia).

I would like to mention Jim Syler’s contributions to the above lyrics transcriptions. Thank you, Jim.

   All of Me (Ruth  Etting)

 

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9. All Of You (1954)

Lyrics and music by Cole Porter

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1959	MT	329	Complete on Verve v.10	24	2’30”

[stereo]

I love the looks of you, the lure of you
The sweet of you, the pure of you
The eyes, the arms, the mouth of you
The east, west, north, and the south of you

I’d love to gain complete control of you
And handle even the heart and soul of you
So love at least a small percent of me do
For I love all of you

(bridge)

I’d love to gain complete control of you
And handle even the heart and soul of you
So love at least a small percent of me do
For I love all of you
Of you
Of you
Of you

(fade out)

Notes

All of You was introduced by Don Ameche in the broadway musical Silk Stockings and featured in the film version as well, with Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire (Wikipedia).

 

 

---

 

10. All Or Nothing At All (1939)

Lyrics by Jack Lawrence
Music by Arthur Altman

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	MT	286	Complete on Verve v.7	14	5’39”

All or nothing at all
Half a love never appealed to me
If your heart never could yield to me
Then I’d rather have nothing at all

All or nothing at all
If it’s love there is no in between
Why begin then cry for something that might have been
No, I’d rather have nothing at all

But please don’t bring your lips so close to my cheek
Don’t smile or I’ll be lost beyond recall
The kiss in your eyes the touch of your hand makes me weak
And my heart may grow dizzy and fall

And if I fell under the spell of your call
I would be caught in the undertow
So you see I’ve got to say no, no
All or nothing at all

(bridge)

All or nothing at all
Half a love never appealed to me
If your heart never could yield to me
Then I’d rather have nothing at all

All or nothing at all
If it’s love there is no in between
Why begin then cry for something that might have been
No, I’d rather have nothing at all

So please don’t bring your lips so close to my cheek
Don’t smile or I’ll be lost beyond recall
The kiss in your eyes the touch of your hand makes me weak
And my heart may grow dizzy and fall

And if I fell under the spell of your call
I would be caught in the undertow
So you see I’ve got to say no, no
All or nothing at all
All or nothing at all

Notes

Probably the most popular song by Altman, Frank Sinatra’s 1939 recording of the song became a huge hit in 1943, when it was reissued by Columbia Records during the 1942-43 musicians’ strike. The record peaked in the Billboard top two (Wikipedia). Billie rendering is also unforgettable (N/A).

 All or Nothing at All (Frank Sinatra, 1939)

 

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11. All The Way (1957)

lyrics by Sammy Cahn
music by Jimmy Van Heusen

When somebody loves you
It’s no good unless he loves you
All the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you
All the way

Taller than the tallest tree is
That’s how it’s got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue sea is
That’s how deep it goes
If its real

When somebody needs you
You no good unless he needs you
All the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years
Come what may

Who knows where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you let me love you
It’s for sure I’m gonna love you
All the way,
All the way

(bridge)

But if you let me love you
It’s for sure I’m gonna love you
All the way,
All the way

 

Notes

This song appeared in the film The Joker Is Wild (1957) starring Frank Sinatra. (Wikipedia)

    (All the Way, Sinatra, 1957)

 

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12. Always (1925)

lyrics and music Irving Berlin

I’ll be loving you
Always
With a love that’s true
Always
When the things you’ve planned
Need a helping hand
I will understand
Always, always

Days may not be fair
Always
That’s when I’ll be there
Always
Not for just an hour
Not for just a day
Not for just a year
But always

(long bridge)

I’ll be loving you
Always
With a love that’s true
Always
When the things you’ve planned
Need a helping hand
I will understand
Always, always

Days may not be fair
Always
That’s when I’ll be there
Always
Not for just an hour
Not for just a day
Not for just a year
But always

 

Notes

Always is a popular song written by Irving Berlin as a wedding gift for his wife Ellin McKay, whom he married in 1926. In 1942 it was used as the theme music for the film The Pride of the Yankees with Ray Noble Orchestra, vocalist Lee Wilde (Wikipedia)

.

Listen to the original recording  Always (The Pride of the Yankees)

 

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13. Am I Blue? (1929)

lyrics: Grant Clarke

music: Harry Akst

Follows 3 versions of the lyrics

Am I blue?

Am I blue?
Ain’t these tears

In my eyes

Tellin’ you
Am I blue?

You’d be too
If each plan

With your man
Done fell through

Was a time

I was his only one
But now I’m

The sad and lonely one,

Lawdy

Was I gay

‘Til today
Now he’s gone

And we’re through
Am I blue?

(bridge)

Was I gay

‘Til today
Now he’s gone

And we’re trough
Am I blue?

Oh he’s gone

He left me
Am I blue?

 

Comments

My reader Jon Harrison commented: “Am I Blue is under-rated. Definitely in my Top 10. Listen to how she phrases “Oh he’s gone, he left me” and “lordy”. The weakness in the arrangement is the middle eight, which just drags.”

 

Am I blue? – 2nd version

Am I blue?

Am I blue?
Ain’t these tears

In my eyes

Tellin’ you
Am I blue?

Am I blue?

You’d be too
It’s plan

With my man
Done fell through

Was a time

I was his only one
But now I’m

The sad and lonely one,

Lawdy

Was I gay

‘Til today
Now he’s gone

And we’re through
Am I blue?

(bridge)

Was I gay

‘Til today
Now he’s gone

And we’re trough
Am I blue?

Oh he’s gone

He left me
Am I blue?

 

Am I blue? – 3rd version

Am I blue?

Am I blue?
Ain’t these tears

In my eyes

Tellin’ you
Am I blue?

You’d be too
If each plan

With your man
Done fell through

Was a time

I was his only one
But now I’m

The sad and lonely one,

Lawdy

Was I gay

‘Til today
Now he’s gone

And we’re through
Am I blue?

(bridge)

Was I gay

‘Til today
Now he’s gone

And we’re trough
Am I blue?

Oh he’s gone

He left me
Am I blue?

Notes

First appeared in the film On With The Show (1929) sung by Ethel Waters. The relase poster announces “the first 100% natural color” picture (Wikipedia).

Ethel sings the lyrics’ complete version, that include the following words:

I’m just a woman, a lonely woman
Waiting on the weary shore
I’m just a woman who’s only human
One you should feel sorry for

It was a morning, long before dawn
Without a warning I found he was gone
How could he do it, why should he do it
He never done it before

    On With the Show (1929)

 

 

---

14. Any Old Time (1938)

Artie Shaw

Any old time you want me I am yours
For just the asking darling
Any old time you need me I’ll be there
With love that’s lasting darling
All through the years we’ll stand together
Sharing the tears and stormy weather
And the sunshine will be yours and mine
Any old time your blue
You’ll have our love to chase away the blues
And any old thing you do I’ll see you through
So just remember that I am waiting dear
If ever you want me I’ll be near
Any old time and any place where you may be

Notes

---

15. April In My Heart (1937)

Lyrics by Hoagy Carmichael

Music by H. Meinardi

Follows 2 versions of the lyrics

There’s snowflakes in the sky
And geese are flying high
But it’s April in my heart again
The devil got his due
Love’s holiday is through
Love and I have made a happy start again
Though leaves lie on the ground
The world just turned around
It isn’t Fall at all you see
It’s Spring that I have found

There’s frost in Central Park
At five it’s almost dark
What’s the difference
When you’ve heard love’s sweet amend
There’s snowflakes in the sky
And geese are flying high
But there’s April in my heart again

 

April in my heart – 2nd version

There’s snowflakes in the sky
And geese are flying high But it’s April in my heart again The devil got his due
Love’s holiday is through
Love and I have made a happy start again
Though leaves lie on the ground
The world just turned around
It isn’t Fall at all you see
It’s Spring that I have found

There’s frost in Central Park
At five it’s almost dark
What’s the difference
When you’ve heard love’s sweet amend
There’s snowflakes in the sky
And geese are flying high
But there’s April in my heart again

 

Notes

NC

---

16. April In Paris (1932)

Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg
Music by Vernon Duke

April in Paris chestnuts in blossom
Holiday tables under the trees
April in Paris this is a feeling
No one can ever reprise

I never knew the charm of Spring
Never met it face to face
I never new my heart could sing
Never missed a warm embrace

Till April in Paris
Whom can I run to
What have you done to
My heart

I never knew the charm of spring
Never met it face to face
I never new my heart could sing
Never missed a warm embrace

Till April in Paris
Whom can I run to
What did you mean to
What have you done to
My heart

 

Notes

 This song first appeared in the Broadway show Walk a Little Faster in 1932.

April in Paris became a jazz standard, being recorded by many artists. Count Basie’s 1955 recording is probably the most famous and was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame (text and photo by Wikipedia).

---

17. As Time Goes By (1931)

lyrics and music: Herman Hupfeld

Follows 2 versions of the lyrics

You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo
They still say I love you
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts filled with passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
Though I will always welcome lovers
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts full with passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman needs man
Man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
Though I will always welcome lovers

As time goes by

 

As time goes by – 2nd version

You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo
They still say I love you
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts full with passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world I will always welcome lovers
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts filled with passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman loves man
Man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world I will always welcome lovers

As time goes by

 

Notes

This song first appeared in the show Everybody’s Welcome that started in 1931 at the Schubert Theater in New York, with lyrics by Irving Kahal, and music by Sammy Fain. As Time Goes By was included as part of “aditional material by other songwriters”.

   As Time Goes By (1942)

It became famous in the film Casablanca (1942).

The lyrics on the alternate take are closer to the original score.

 

---

18. Autumn In New York (1935)

Vernon Duke

Follows 2 versions of the lyrics

78 rpm version – awful sound quality

(see note below)

Autumn in New York
Why does it seem so inviting
Autumn in New York
It spells the thrill of first-nighting

Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds
In canyons of steel
They’re making me feel
I’m home

It’s autumn in New York
That brings the promise of new love
Autumn in New York
Is often mingled with pain

Dreamers with empty hands
May sigh for exotic lands
It’s autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again

Autumn in New York
The gleaming rooftops at sundown
Autumn in New York
It lifts you up when you’re rundown

Jaded roués and gay divorcés
Who lunch at the Ritz
Will tell you that
It’s divine

This autumn in New York
Transforms the slums into Mayfair
Autumn in New York
You’ll need no castle in Spain

Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park
Greet Autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again

 

Autumn in New York – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1952	MT	233	Complete on Verve v.2	8	3’52”

LP version – much better sound quality

(note: two takes were made in the same recording session and issued in the same year, one in 78rpm (the AT) and the MT in LP version. That’s why the lyrics have small differences)

 

Autumn in New York
Why does it seem so inviting
Autumn in New York
It spells the thrill of first-nighting

Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds
In canyons of steel
They’re making me feel
I’m home

It’s autumn in New York
That brings the promise of new love
Autumn in New York
Is often mingled with pain

Dreamers with empty hands
May sigh for exotic lands
It’s autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again

Autumn in New York
The gleaming rooftops at sundown
Autumn in New York
It lifts you up when you’re let down

Jaded roué and gay divorcé
Who lunch at the Ritz
Will tell you that
It’s divine

This autumn in New York
Transforms the slums into Mayfair
Autumn in New York
You’ll need no castle in Spain

Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park
Greet Autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again

 

Note: I would like to reproduce here the comments from Joe Styles that you may find below in the “comments section”. It says:

“A tiny and very technical point on your listings of the ‘Autumn in New York’ lyrics: the earlier, shorter version was take 1, the later, longer version was take 7.

It is interesting to note that in the earlier take, Holiday follows the lyrics as they are written in the sheet music. On the later, slightly longer take, she changes some of the words in the second chorus. She also, in this later take, increases the improvisations she makes to the song’s original rhythm & melody. The two takes give evidence of her increased jazzing of the song as she becomes progressively familiar with it.

 

Notes

This song was introduced in 1937 by the American baritone J. Harold Murray in the Broadway show Thumbs Up! with words and music by Vernon Duke.

© August 2013 www.billieholidaysongs.com