| INDEX OF SONGS & LYRICS “L” | |
| Lady Sings the Blues | 4 versions |
| Lady Sings the Blues | |
| Lady’s Back in Town | |
| Laughing at Life | 2 versions |
| Let’s Call a Heart a Heart | |
| Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off | 2 versions |
| Let’s Do It | 2 versions |
| Let’s Dream in the Moonlight | 2 versions |
| Life Begins When You’re in Love | |
| Long Gone Blues | |
| Love for Sale | |
| Love Me or Leave Me | 2 versions |
| Loveless Love | 2 versions |
| Lover Come Back To Me | 15 versions |
| Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) | 8 versions |
152. Lady Sings The Blues
Billie Holiday & Herbie Nichols
follows 4 version of this song
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1956 | MT | 276 | Complete on Verve v.7 | 4 | 3’44” |
Lady sings the blues
She’s got them bad
She feels so sad
And wants the world to know
Just what the blues is all aboutLady sings the blues
She tells her side
Nothing to hide
Now the world will now
Just what the blues is all aboutThe blues ain’t nothing but a pain in your heart
When you get a bad start
When you and your man have to part
I ain’t gonna just sit around and cry
I know I won’t die
‘Cause I love himLady sings the blues
I’m telling you
She’s got them bad
But now the world will know
She’s never gonna sing them no more‘Cause the blues ain’t nothing but a pain in your heart
When you get a bad start
When you and your man have to part
Ain’t gonna just sit around and cry
I know I won’t die
‘Cause I love himLady sings the blues
I’m telling you
She’s got them bad
But now the world will know
She’s never gonna sing them no moreNo more
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1956 | LR | 162 | Complete on Verve v.8 | 2 | 2’38” |
Lady sings the blues
She’s got them bad
She feels so sad
Wants the world to know
Just what her blues is all aboutLady sings the blues
She tells her side
Nothing to hide
Now the world will now
Just what her blues is all aboutThe blues ain’t nothing but a pain in your heart
When you get a bad start
You and your man have to part
I ain’t gonna just sit around and cry
I know I won’t die
Because I love himLady sings the blues
She’s got them bad
She feels so sad
But now the world will know
She’s never gonna sing them no moreNo more
(applauses)
3rd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1957 | LR | 184 | Complete on Verve v.10 | 8 | 3’00” |
Billie Introduces the song:
(… and now I’d like to try doing a little tune for you, that I recorded for Norman Granz, Clef Records, my tune’s title’s Lady Sings The Blue. Hope that you like it)
Lady sings the blues
She’s got them bad
She feels so sad
Wants the world to know
Just what her blues is all aboutLady sings the blues
She tells her side
Nothing to hide
Now the world will now
Just what her blues is all aboutThe blues ain’t nothing but a pain in your heart
When you get a bad start
You and your man have to part
But I ain’t gonna just sit around and cry
And I know I won’t die
‘Cause I love himLady sings the blues
She’s got them bad
She feels so sad
But now the world will know
She’s never gonna sing’em no more
No more(applauses)
4th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1957 | LR | 191 | Billie Holiday At Stratford ’57 | 6 | 3’12” |
Billie introduces the next song:
(… now I’d like to try doing for you a little tune of mine, its title Lady Sings The Blues)
Lady sings the blues
She’s got them bad
She feels so sad
Wants the world to know
Just what her blues is all aboutLady sings the blues
She tells her side
Nothing to hide
Now the world will now
Just what her blues is all aboutBlues ain’t nothing but a pain in your heart
When you get a bad start
You and your man have to part
But I ain’t gonna just sit around and cry
And I know I won’t die
‘Cause I love himLady sings the blues
She’s got them bad
She feels so sad
But now the world will know
She’s never gonna sing’em no more
No more(applauses, fanfare lady be good)
Notes |
One more song by Billie Holiday, sometimes introduced personally by Billie to the audience. My favorite version is the first, MT 276 (1956).
It is the title song to her 1956 album. It was also chosen to be the title of the 1956 autobiography by Holiday and author William Dufty, and the 1972 movie starring Diana Ross as Holiday (Wikipedia) (Actually, nothing to remember N/A).
153. Lady’s Back In Town
Tony Scott
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1956 | REH | – | Complete on Verve v.6 | 24 | – |
[rehearsal fragments]
N.A.
Notes |
NA
154. Laughing At Life
Nick Kenney & Charles F. Kenney & C. Todd & B. Todd
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1940 | MT | 136 | Complete in Columbia v.6 | 16 | 2’53” |
Don’t mind the rain drops
Wait till the rain stops
Smile through your tears laughing at life
No road is lonely if you will only
Loose all your blues laughing at life
Live for tomorrow be happy today
Laugh all your sorrows away
Start now and cheer up
The skies will clear up
Loose all your blues laughing at life(bridge)
Don’t mind the rain drops
Wait till the rain stops
You’ll find the sun laughing at life
No road is lonely if you will only
Smile through your tears laughing at life
Live for tomorrow be happy today
Laugh all your sorrows away
Start now and cheer up
The skies will clear up
Loose all your blues laughing at life
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1940 | AT | 136a | Complete in Columbia v.9 | 15 | 2’52” |
Don’t mind the rain drops
Wait till the rain stops
You’ll find the sun laughing at life
No road is lonely if you will only
Smile through your tears laughing at life
Live for tomorrow be happy today
Laugh all your sorrows away
Start now and cheer up
The skies will clear up
Loose all your blues laughing at life(bridge)
Don’t mind the rain drops
Wait till the rain stops
Loose all your blues laughing at life
No road is lonely if you will only
Smile through your tears laughing at life
Live for tomorrow be happy today
Laugh all your sorrows away
Start now and cheer up
The skies will clear up
You’ll find the sun laughing at life
Notes |
NC
155. Let’s Call A Heart A Heart
Music by Arthur Johston
Lyrics by Sonny Burke
rec date type # discography tk rec time 1936 MT 29 Complete on Columbia v.2 4 3’01” When we’re in a friendly situation
My conversation may not be smart
But if we’re to have a perfect understanding
Let’s call a heart a heartThere are words that should be whispered gently
That’s evidently the way to start
If I tell you what my dreams have been demanding
Let’s call a heart a heartCan I prove how I yearn
Just by the turn of a phrase
Can I keep my control
When all my soul is aflameMaybe we’d call a true confession
And in discretion on someone’s part
But if I’m to say how madly I adore you
Let’s call a heart a heart(bridge)
Maybe we’d call a true confession
And in discretion on someone’s part
But if I’m to say how madly I adore you
Let’s call a heart a heart
Notes |
NC
156. Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off (1936)
lyrics: Ira Gershwyn
music: George Gershwin
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1937 | MT | 53 | Complete on Columbia v.3 | 5 | 3’36” |
You say either
And I say either
You say neither
And I say neither
Either, either, neither, neither
Let’s call the whole thing offYou like potatoes
And I like potatoes
You like tomatoes
And I like tomatoes
Potatoes, potatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes
Let’s call the whole thing offBut oh, if we call the whole thing off
Then we must part
And oh, if we ever part
Then that might break my heartSo it you like pajamas and I like pajamas
I’ll wear pajamas and give up pajamas
For we know we need each other
So we’d better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off(bridge)
But oh, if we call the whole thing off
Then we must part
And oh, if we ever part
Then that might break my heartSo if you go for oysters
And I go for oysters
I’ll order oysters and cancel the oysters
For we know we need each other
So we’d better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1957 | MT | 305 | Complete on Verve v.9 | 19 | 3’24” |
(extended lyrics)
You say either
And I say either
You say neither
And I say neither
Either, either, neither, neither
Let’s call the whole thing offYou like potato
And I like potato
You like tomato
And I like tomato
Potato, potato, tomato, tomato
Let’s call the whole thing offBut oh, if we call the whole thing off
And we must part
And oh, if we ever part
Then that might break my heartSo it you like pajamas and I like pajamas
I’ll wear pajamas and give up pajamas
For we know we need each other
So we’d better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off(bridge)
You say laughter and I say lawfter
You say after and I say awfter
Laughter, lawfter, after, awfter
Let’s call the whole thing offYou like vanilla and I like vanella
You sa’sparilla and I sa’sparella
Vanilla, vanella, chocolate, strawberry
Let’s call the whole thing offBut oh, if we call the whole thing off
Then we must part
And oh, if we ever part then that
Might break my heartSo if you go for oysters and I go for ersters
I’ll order oysters and cancel the ersters
For we know we need each other
So we better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off
Notes |
“Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” is a song written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Shall We Dance where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as part of a celebrated dance duet on roller skates.
The song is most famous for its “You like to-may-toes /təˈmeɪtoʊz/ and I like to-mah-toes /təˈmɑːtoʊz/” and other verses comparing their different regional dialects.The differences in pronunciation are not simply regional, however, and serve more specifically to identify class differences. At the time, typical American pronunciations were considered less “refined” by the upper-class, and there was a specific emphasis on the “broader” a sound. This class distinction with respect to pronunciation has been retained in caricatures, especially in the theater where the longer a pronunciation is most strongly associated with the word “darling.”
Astaire & Ginger (Shall We Dance)
157. Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) (1928)
lyrics and music: Cole Porter
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1941 | MT | 143 | Complete in Columbia v.6 | 23 | 2’55” |
Chinks do it. Japs do it
Upper Lapland little Lapps do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in loveIn Spain the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in loveThe Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it
Think of Siamese twinsSome Argentines without means do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love(bridge)
Sponges they say do it
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Let’s do it let’s fall in loveCold Cape Cod clams
‘Gainst their wish do it
Even lazy jelly fish do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in loveElectric eels I might add do it
Though it shocks’em I know
Why ask if shad do it
Waiter bring me shad roeIn the shallow shoals English soles do it
Goldfish in privacy of bowls do it
Let’s do it
We’ll do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1941 | AT | 143a | Complete in Columbia v.10 | 3 | 2’54” |
Chinks do it. Japs do it
Upper Lapland little Lapps do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in loveIn Spain the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in loveThe Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it
Think of Siamese twinsSome Argentines without means do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love(bridge)
Sponges they say do it
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Let’s do it let’s fall in loveCold Cape Cod clams
‘Gainst their wish do it
Even lazy jelly fish do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in loveElectric eels I might add do it
Though it shocks’em I know
Why ask if shad do it
Waiter bring me shad roeIn the shallow shoals English soles do it
Goldfish in privacy of bowls do it
Let’s do it
We’ll do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love
Notes |
It was introduced in Porter’s first Broadway success, the musical Paris (1928) by French chanteuse Irène Bordoni for whom Porter had written the musical as a starring vehicle.
158. Let’s Dream In The Moonlight
R. Walsh & Matty Malneck
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1938 | MT | 105 | Complete on Columbia v.5 | 10 | 2’52” |
Let’s dream in the moonlight
Tell me that you love me
Tell the stars above me
What’s in you heartLet’s dream in the moonlight
Say you’re glad you found me
Put your arms around me
Before we partEven though it’s just pretending
And the night will soon be through
I can say I’m only lending
When I give my heart to youLet’s dream in the moonlight
Let’s your lips touch mine
Though we’re only dreaming
Tonight
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1938 | AT | 105a | Complete on Columbia v.9 | 6 | 2’50” |
Let’s dream in the moonlight
Tell me that you love me
Tell the stars above me
What’s in you heartLet’s dream in the moonlight
Say you’re glad you found me
Put your arms around me
Before we partEven though it’s just pretending
And the night is almost through
I can say I’m only lending
When I give my heart to youLet’s dream in the moonlight
Let’s your lips touch mine
Though we’re only dreaming
Tonight
Notes |
Comment from my reader Jon Harrinson: “Let’s Dream in the Moonlight is in my Billie Top 10. I think it’s under-rated. She floats over the melody and creates musical effect of the ‘dream’ that is both yearning and melancholy. Her phrasing is at the absolute peak of its powers. Also a gorgeous trombone solo by Trummy Young.”
159. Life Begins When You’re In Love
Brown & Victor Schertzinger & Andrew Acquarulo Ackers
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1936 | MT | 17 | Complete on Columbia v.1 | 17 | 3’01” |
Life begins when you’re in love
You have the world before you
When you’ve found the one
The only one to love and adore you
It’s when you learn the sigh of it
The long of it, the cry of it
Life begins when Cupid wins
And you’re in love
Notes |
NC
160. Long Gone Blues
Billie Holiday & T. Smith
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1939 | MT | 116 | Complete on Columbia v.5 | 21 | 3’01” |
Talk to me baby
Tell me what’s the matter now
Tell me baby what’s the matter now?
Are you tryin’ to quit me baby
But you don’t know howI’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babeBut before I be your doll
I see you in your grave
I’m a good gal
But my love is all wrong
I’m a good gal
But my love is all wrong
I’m a real good gal
But my love has gone
Notes |
Another composition by Billie, but without much success. To me, it sounds quite nice.
161. Love For Sale (1930)
lyrics and music by Cole Porter
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1952 | MT | 228 | Complete on Verve v.2 | 2 | 2’56” |
Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
Love that’s fresh and still unspoiled
Love that’s only slightly soiled
Love for saleWho will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who’s prepared to pay the price
For a trip to paradise?
Love for saleLet the poets pipe of love
in their childish way
I know every type of love
Better far than they
If you want the thrill of love
I’ve been through the mill of love
Old love, new love
Every love but true loveLove for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
If you want to buy my wares
Follow me and climb the stairs
Love for sale
Notes |
“Love for Sale” is a song by Cole Porter, from the musical The New Yorkers (image from sondheimguide.com) which opened on Broadway on December 8, 1930 and closed in May 1931 after 168 performances. The song is written from the viewpoint of a prostitute advertising various kinds of “love for sale”: “Old love, new love, every love but true love” (…)
It was originally considered in bad taste, even scandalous. In the initial Broadway production, it was performed by Kathryn Crawford (image from acertaincinema.com) , portraying a streetwalker, with three girlfriends (Waring’s Three Girl Friends) as back-up singers, in front of Reuben’s, a popular restaurant of the time. As a response to the criticism, the song was transferred from the white Crawford to the African American singer Elisabeth Welch (image from fashionetal.blogspot.com) , who sang with back-up singers in a scene set in front of Harlem’s Cotton Club. (Wikipedia)
Despite the fact the song was banned from radio airplay, or perhaps because of it, it became a hit. (those were the times…)
162. Love Me Or Leave Me (1928)
lyrics: Gus Kahn
music: Walter Donaldson
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1941 | MT | 154 | Complete in Columbia v.7 | 9 | 3’18” |
This suspense is killing me
I can’t stand uncertainty
Tell me now I’ve got to know
Whether you want me to stay or goLove me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won’t believe meI love you only
I’d rather be lonely
Then happy with somebody elseYou might find the nighttime
The right time for kissing
But nighttime is my time
For just reminiscing
RegrettingInstead of forgetting with somebody else
There’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blueI want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it todayTo give back tomorrow
For your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody else(bridge)
There’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blueI want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it todayAnd to give back tomorrow
For your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody else
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1954 | MT | 243 | Complete in Verve v.3 | 5 | 2’33” |
Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won’t believe me I love you only
I’d rather be lonely
Then happy with somebody elseYou might find the night time
The right time for kissing
But night time is my time
For reminiscing
Regrettin’ instead of forgetting
With somebody elseThere’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blueI want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it today to give back tomorrow
Your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody elseLove me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won’t believe me I love you only
I’d rather be lonely
Then happy with somebody elseYou might find the night time
The right time for kissing
But night time is my time
For reminiscing
Regrettin’ instead of forgetting
With somebody elseThere’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blueI want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it today to give back tomorrow
Your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody else
Notes |
The song was introduced by Ruth Etting in the Broadway play Whoopee!, which opened in December 1928.
163. Loveless Love
W.C. Handy
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1940 | MT | 142 | Complete in Columbia v.6 | 22 | 3’14” |
Love is like a hydrant turns off and on
Like some friendships when your money’s gone
Love stands in with the loan sharks when your heart’s in tongsIf I had some strong wings like an aeroplane
Had some broad wings like an aeroplane
I would fly away forever
Never to come againOh love oh love oh loveless love
Has said our hearts are goldless gold
From milkless milk and silkless silk
We are growing used to soul-less soulsSuch grafting times we never saw
That’s why we have a pure full law
In everything we find a flaw
Even love oh love oh loveless love(bridge)
Just to fly away from loveless love
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1940 | AT | 142a | Complete in Columbia v.10 | 2 | 3’15” |
Love is like a hydrant turns off and on
Like some friendships when your money’s gone
Love stands in with the loan sharks when your heart’s in tongsIf I had some strong wings like an aeroplane
Had some broad wings like an aeroplane
I would fly away forever
Never to come againOh love oh love oh loveless love
Has said our hearts are goldless gold
From milkless milk and silkless silk
We are growing used to soul-less soulsSuch grafting times we never saw
That’s why we have a pure full law
In everything we find a flaw
Even love oh love oh loveless love(bridge)
Just to fly away from loveless love
Notes |
NC
164. Lover, Come Back To Me! (1928)
lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
music: Sigmund Romberg
follows 14 version of this song
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1944 | MT | 170 | Complete Commodore v.2 | 18 | 3’20” |
(Eddie Heywood smaller band)
The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1944 | AT | 170a | Complete Commodore v.2 | 21 | 3’17” |
(smaller band)
The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!
3rd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1944 | MT | 174 | Complete Commodore v.2 | 14 | 3’23” |
(larger band)
The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am so lonelySky is blue
Night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!
4th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1944 | AT | 174a | Complete Commodore v.2 | 15 | 3’13” |
(larger band)
The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am (so) lonelySky is blue
Night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This lonely heart is singing
Lover come back to me!
5th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1951 | LR | 79 | Perfect Complete Collection v.4 | 6 | 2’20” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me
6th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1951 | LR | 86 | Perfect Complete Collection v.4 | 18 | 2’36” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me
7th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1952 | MT | 235 | Complete on Verve v.2 | 10 | 3’35” |
The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
Love is old
While I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me(bridge)
When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
While I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Come back to me
8th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1952 | LR | 96 | Perfect Complete Collection v.5 | 5 | 1’45” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singingLover,
Come back to me
9th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1954 | LR | 109 | Perfect Complete Collection v.6 | 4 | 3’00” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me(bridge and German comments)
(applauses)
10th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1954 | LR | 126 | Complete on Verve v.3 | 1 | 6’46” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me(very long bridge, 4 min!)
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Come back to me
11th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1954 | LR | 137 | Perfect Complete Collection v.7 | 19 | 2’09” |
Sky is blue
High above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me
12th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1957 | LR | 183 | Complete on Verve v.10 | 7 | 2’05” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to me(Billie thanks the audience)
13th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1957 | LR | 190 | Billie Holiday At Stratford ’57 | 5 | 2’16” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to me(applauses, fanfare lady be good)
14th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1958 | LR | 217 | Private Recording | 2’03” |
Fanfare Oh lady be good
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to meRight now
(applauses, fanfare lady be good)
15th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1959 | LR | 229 | Perfect Complete Collection v.12 | 20 | 1’46” |
The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to meThe sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you beWhen I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonelyThe sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to me(applauses)
Notes |
This nice and happy song has nothing less than 15 recorded versions! I personally recommend MT170 and LR126 as my favorites (N/A).
Just to remember the 60s, let´s see a version by Brenda Lee…
165. Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) (1941)
lyrics and music by Jimmy Davis & Ram Ramirez & James Sherman
follows 7 version of this song
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1944 | MT | 175 | Complete on Decca v.1 | 1 | 3’15” |
I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man
Where can you be?
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1945 | LR | 21 | N.A. |
(Intro by MC)
I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A-hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man
Where can you be?(applauses)
3rd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1949 | LR | 59 | Perfect Complete Collection v.3 | 5 | 2’41” |
I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?
4th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1951 | LR | 82 | Perfect Complete Collection v.4 | 13 | 2’24” |
I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?(applauses)
5th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1954 | LR | 140 | Perfect Complete Collection v.7 | 22 | 2’50” |
I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?(applauses)
6th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1955 | LR | 143 | Perfect Complete Collection v.7 | 25 | 2’32” |
I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?(applauses)
7th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1958 | LR | 206 | Complete on Verve v.10 | 13 | 3’01” |
I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seemsSomeday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?(applauses)
Notes |
This song is particularly associated with Billie Holiday, for whom it was written, and her version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989. Holiday’s version reached #5 on the R&B chart and #16 on pop in 1945
My favorite version is the last one, LR 206.
© August 2013 www.billieholidaysongs.com
Dear Paulo,
you have to listen very carefully, but the beginning of BH’s second (’54) version of “Love Me or leave Me” is:
Love me or leave me and let me be lonely
as in the original version (and sheet music) for the song. Do note that in the beginning of her first version of the song, the words
Love me or leave me or let me be lonely
are a deliberate change and accompany an equally deliberate melodic revision in which the word “leave” is sung one octave higher than in the original/sheet music version.
Best,
Joe Styles
Thank you, Joe. I’ll do that and let you know. Best, Paulo