INDEX OF SONGS & LYRICS “M”
Mandy Is Two	2 versions
Maybe You’ll Be There
Me,  Myself and I	2 versions
Mean to Me	2 versions
Misery	Rehearsal
Miss Brown To You	4 versions
Moanin’ Low	2 versions
Moonglow
Moonlight in Vermont
More Than You Know	2 versions
My First Impression of You	2 versions
My Last Affair (This Is)
My Man (Mon Homme)	17 versions
My Old Flame	4 versions
My Sweet Hunk of Trash	2 versions

166.Mandy Is Two (1942)

lyrics by Johnny Mercer

music by Fulton McGrath

Mandy is two
You ought to see her eyes of cornflower blue
They really look as if they actually knew
That she’s a big girl now

Mandy is two
You ought to see how many things she can do
She knows her alphabets
And ties her own shoes
And no one showed her how

If you could see her majesty
With braids in her hair
Almost as though her Sunday beau
Came around and brought her an orchid to wear

Mummy is blue
Because her little girl is going on three
But Miss Amanda she’s as proud as can be
‘Cause she’s a big girl now

If you could see her majesty
With braids in her hair
Almost as though her Sunday beau
Came around and brought her an orchid to wear

Mummy is blue
Because her little girl is going on three
But Miss Amanda she’s as proud as can be
‘Cause she’s a big girl now

 

2nd version

Mandy is two
You ought to see her eyes of cornflower blue
They really look as if they actually knew
That she’s a big girl now

Mandy is two
You ought to see how many things she can do
She knows her alphabets
And ties her own shoes
And no one showed her how

If you could see her majesty
With braids in her hair
Almost as though her Sunday beau
Came around and brought her an orchid to wear

Mummy is blue
Because her little girl is going on three
But Miss Amanda she’s as proud as can be
‘Cause she’s a big girl now

If you could see her majesty
With braids in her hair
Almost as though her Sunday beau
Came around and brought her an orchid to wear

Mummy is blue
Because her little girl is going on three
But Miss Amanda she’s as proud as can be
‘Cause she’s a big girl now

Comments

NC

 

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167. Maybe You’ll Be There (1947)

lyrics by Sammy Gallop

music by Rube Bloom

Each time I see a crowd of people
Just like a fool I stop and stare
It’s really not the proper thing to do
But maybe you’ll be there

I go out walking after midnight
Along the lonely thoroughfare
It’s not the time or place to look for you
But maybe you’ll be there

You said your arms would always hold me
You said your lips were mine alone to kiss
Now after all those things you told me
How can it end like this?

Some day if all my prayers are answered
I’ll hear a footstep on the stair
With anxious heart I’ll run right to the door
And maybe you’ll be there

You said your arms would always hold me
You said your lips were mine alone to kiss
Now after all these things you told me
How can it end like this?

Some day if all my prayers are answered
I’ll hear a footstep on the stair
With anxious heart I’ll run right to the door
And maybe you’ll be there

Notes

This is one of my favourite songs by BH, is unfortunately a live recording with poor quality. But, it is just listen and feel… (A/N)

The recording by Gordon Jenkins was released by Decca Records. It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on June 11, 1948 and lasted 30 weeks on the chart, peaking at #3. This recording was Jenkins’ first charting record and million-seller. It has become a pop standard, recorded by many artists since its composition (wikipedia).

 Diana Krall version

 

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168. Me, Myself And I (1937)

lyrics and music by Irving Gordon & Allan Roberts & Alvin S. Kaufman

Me, myself and I
Are all in love with you
We all think you’re wonderful
We do

Me, myself and I
Have just one point of view
We’re convinced
There’s no one else like you

It can’t be denied dear
You brought the sun to us
We’d be satisfied dear
If you’d belong to one of us

So if you pass me by
Three hearts will break in two
Cause me, myself and I
Are all in love with you

(bridge)

Me, myself and I
Are all in love with you
We all think you’re wonderful
We do

Me, myself and I
Have just one point of view
We’re convinced
There’s no one else like you

It can’t be denied dear
You brought the sun to us
We’d be satisfied dear
If you’d belong to one of us

So if you pass me by
Three hearts will break in two
Cause me, myself and I
Are all in love with you

 

2nd version

Me, myself and I
Are all in love with you
We all think you’re wonderful
We do

Me, myself and I
Have just one point of view
We’re convinced
There’s no one else like you

It can’t be denied dear
You brought the sun to us
We’d be satisfied dear
If you’d belong to one of us

So if you pass me by
Three hearts will break in two
Cause me, myself and I
Are all in love with you

(bridge)

Me, myself and I
Are all in love with you
We all think you’re wonderful
We do

Me, myself and I
Have just one point of view
We’re convinced
There’s no one else like you

It can’t be denied dear
You brought the sun to us
We’d be satisfied dear
If you’d belong to one of us

So if you pass me by
Three hearts will break in two
Cause me, myself and I
Are all in love with you

 

Notes

A variant title is “Me, Myself and I (Are All in Love with You)”.  It was first recorded in 1937 by several artists including Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra. (…) Tony Bennett included it in his 1997 Billie Holiday tribute album, “On Holiday”. Irving Gordon’s best known song is Unforgettable, written in 1951, and recorded the same year by Nat King Cole (Wikipedia).

I Can’t miss the opportunity to mention here Nat King Cole (1919-1965). I remember him more as a pop singer, with hits like Too Young, Unforgettable, When I fall in Love, Autumn Leaves, Stardust, Love is a Many Splendore Thing and many others. (Unforgettable is his voice…)

 

 

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169. Mean To Me (1927)

lyrics: Roy Turk

music: Fred E. Ahlert

You’re mean to me
Why must you be mean to me?
Gee honey it seems to me
You love to see me crying
I don’t know why
I stay home each night
When you say you’ll phone
You don’t and I’m left alone
Singing the blues and sighing

You treat me coldly each day in the year
You always scold me
Whenever somebody is near, dear
It must be great fun to be mean to me
You shouldn’t for can’t you see
What you mean to me?

 

2nd version

You’re mean to me
Why must you be mean to me?
Gee honey it seems to me
You love to see me crying
I don’t know why
I stay home each night
When you say you’ll phone
You don’t and I’m left alone
Singing the blues and crying

You treat me coldly each day in the year
You always scold me
Whenever somebody is near dear
It must be great fun to be mean to me
You shouldn’t for can’t you see
What you mean to me?

Notes

The first singer to sing this song was Annette Hanshaw (1901-1985 – see picture). Her singing style was relaxed and suited to the new jazz-influenced pop music of the late 1920s. Although she had a low opinion of her own singing, she continued to have fans because she combined the voice of an ingenue with the spirit of a flapper. (Wikipedia)

 Listen to Anette Hanshaw (1929)

 

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170. Misery

Tony Scott

[rehearsal fragments]

N.A.

 

Notes

NC

 

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171.Miss Brown To You (1935)

lyrics by Leo Robin

music by Richard Whiting & Ralph Rainger

follows 4 versions of this song

Who do you think is comin’ to town
You’ll never guess who
Lovable huggable Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
What if the rain comes pattering down
My heaven is blue
Tennessee is sending me Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
I know her eyes will thrill you
But go slow

Oh, oh
Don’t you all get too familiar
Why do you think she’s comin’ to town
Just wait and you’ll see
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Is baby to me

(bridge)

Yes, yes

Mark it down

Miss Brown To Tou – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1949	LR	51	Perfect Complete Collection v.3	4	1’53”

Who do you think is comin’ to town
You’ll never guess who
Lovable, huggable Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
What if the rain comes pattering down
My heaven is blue
Tennessee is sending me Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
I know her eyes will thrill you
But go slow

Oh, oh
Don’t you all get too familiar
Why do you think she’s comin’ to town
Wait and you’ll see
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Is baby to me

Who do you think is comin’ to town
You’ll never guess who
Lovable, huggable Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
What if the rain comes pattering down
My heaven is blue
Can it be sending me Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
I know her eyes will thrill you
But go slow

Oh, oh
Don’t you all get too familiar
Why do you think she’s comin’ to town
Wait and you’ll see
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Is baby to me
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Baby to me

 

Miss Brown To You – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	80	Perfect Complete Collection v.4	11	1’45”

Who do you think is comin’ to town
You’ll never guess who
Lovable, huggable Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
What if the rain comes pattering down
My heaven is blue
Tennessee is sending me Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
I know her eyes will thrill you
But go slow

Oh, oh
Don’t you all get too familiar
Why do you think she’s comin’ to town
Wait and you’ll see
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Is baby to me

Who do you think is comin’ to town
You’ll never guess who
Lovable, huggable Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
What if the rain comes pattering down
My heaven is blue
Tennessee is sending me Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
I know her eyes will thrill you
But go slow

Oh, oh
Don’t you all get too familiar
Why do you think she’s comin’ to town
Wait and you’ll see
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Is baby to me
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Baby to me

 

Miss Brown To You – 4th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	92	Perfect Complete Collection v.4	24	1’53”

Who do you think is comin’ to town
You’ll never guess who
Lovable, huggable Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
What if the rain comes pattering down
My heaven is blue
Tennessee is sending me Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
I know her eyes will thrill you
But go slow

Oh, oh
Don’t you all get too familiar
Why do you think she’s comin’ to town
Wait and you’ll see
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Is baby to me

Who do you think is comin’ to town
You’ll never guess who
Lovable, huggable Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
What if the rain comes pattering down
My heaven is blue
Tennessee is sending me Emily Brown
Miss Brown to you
I know her eyes will thrill you
But go slow

Oh, oh
Don’t you all get too familiar
Why do you think she’s comin’ to town
Wait and you’ll see
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Is baby to me
The lovable little Miss Brown to you
Baby to me

Notes

Diarmuid O’Hanlon from Dublin was kind enough to share his expertise in revising this lyrics. Many Thanks. (May 2014)

It was first recorded on July 25, 1935 by Billie Holiday accompanied by Teddy Wilson and his orchestra. This version is featured on Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia 1933–1944. A live favourite, Holiday recorded the song many times, most notably in June, 1949 for the FRS radio broadcast, Just Jazz in Los Angeles (Wikipedia). See LR 149.

 listen to Billie Holiday (1935)

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172. Moanin’ Low (1929)

lyrics by Howard Dietz

music by Ralph Rainger

Moanin’ low, my sweet man, I love him so
Though he’s mean as can be
He’s the kind of man needs the kind
Of a woman like me

Gonna die if my sweet man should pass me by
If I die where’ll he be
He’s the kind of a man needs the kind
Of a woman like me

Don’t know any reason why
He treats me so poorly
What have I gone and done
Makes my troubles double with his worries
When surely I ain’t deserving of none

Moanin’ low
My sweet man is gonna go
When he goes, oh lordy
He’s the kind of a man needs the kind
Of a woman like me

 

2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1958	LR	201	Perfect Complete Collection v.12	4	1’56”

Moanin’ low
My sweet man I love him so
Though he’s mean as can be
He’s the kind of a man
Needs a kind of a woman like me

I’m gonna die
If my sweet man should pass me by
If I die where’ll he be
He’s the kind of a man
Needs the kind of a woman like me

Don’t know any reason why
He treats me so coldly
What have I gone and done
Makes my troubles double with his worries
When surely
I ain’t deserving of none

Moanin’ low
My sweet man I love him so
Though he’s mean as can be
He’s the kind of a man
Needs the kind of a woman like me

Don’t know any reason why
He treats me so coldly
What have I gone and done
Makes my troubles double with his worries
When surely
I ain’t deserving of none

Gonna die
If my sweet man should pass me by
If I die oh, lordy
He’s the kind of a man
Needs the kind of a woman like me

Moanin’ low
Moanin’ low
Moanin’ low

Notes

The song was published in 1929 and was introduced that same year in the musical revue The Little Show. Since its publication, the song has become a popular jazz standard. In the movie Key Largo, Claire Trevor gave a memorable rendition of the song in a role that won her the 1948 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. (Wikipedia)

  

  Moanin’ Low by Claire Trevor a cappella (Key Largo)

 

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173. Moonglow (1933)

lyrics by Edgar DeLange

music by Will Hudson & Irving Mills

It must have been that moonglow
Way up in the blue
It must have been moonglow
That led me straight to you
I still hear you saying
Dear one hold me fast
And I start in praying
Oh lord, please let this last
We seemed to float right thru the air
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
And now when there’s moonglow
Way up in the blue
I always remember that moonglow gave me you

(bridge)

It must have been moonglow
Way up in the blue
It must have been moonglow
That led me straight to you
I still hear you saying
Dear one hold me fast
And I start in praying
Oh lord, please let this last
We seemed to float right thru the air
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
And now when there’s moonglow
Way up in the blue
I always remember that moonglow brought me you

Notes

“Moonglow” was first recorded by Joe Venuti and his Orchestra in 1933, with later recordings by Ethel Waters and Benny Goodman and his Orchestra in 1934, and has since become a jazz standard, performed and recorded numerous times by a wide array of musical talents. Billie Holiday recorded the song in 1952 (Wikipedia).

  Ethel Waters (1934)

 

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174. Moonlight in Vermont (1944)

lyrics and music John Blackburn & Karl Suessdorf

Pennies in a stream
Falling leaves a sycamore
Moonlight in Vermont

Icy finger wave
Ski trails on a mountainside
Snowlight in Vermont

Telegraph cables
They sing down the highway
And travel each bend in the road
People who meet
In this romantic setting
Are so hypnotized
By the lovely
Evening summer breeze
Warbling of the meadowlark
Moonlight in Vermont

(bridge)

Telegraph cables
They sing down the highway
And travel each bend in the road
People who meet
In this romantic setting
Are so hypnotized
By the lovely
Evening summer breeze
Warbling of the meadowlark
Moonlight in Vermont
You and I and moonlight in Vermont

Notes

Moonlight in Vermont is a popular song about the U.S. state of Vermont, written by John Blackburn and Karl Suessdorf and published in 1944.

The lyrics are unusual in that they do not rhyme. John Blackburn, the lyricist, has been quoted as saying, “After completing the first 12 bars of the lyric, I realized there was no rhyme and then said to Karl, ‘Let’s follow the pattern of no rhyme throughout the song. It seemed right.”

The song is considered an unofficial state song of Vermont and is frequently played as the first dance song at Vermont wedding receptions. It was first introduced by Margaret Whiting (1924-2011) in a 1944 recording, and has been covered by numerous other artists over the years. (Wikipedia)

I love this song and Billie rendering (A/N)

 Margareth Whiting (1924-2011) sings her big hit Moonlight in Vermont (here in a much later video, early 70s)

 

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175. More Than You Know (1929)

lyrics: Edward Eliscu & Billy Rose

music: Vincent Youmans

More than you know
More than you know
Man of my heart I love you so
Lately I find you on my mind
More than you know

Whether you’re right
Whether you’re wrong
Man of my heart I’ll string along
I need you so
More than you’ll ever know

Loving you the way that I do
There’s nothing I can do about it
Loving may be all you can give
But honey I can’t live without it

Oh, how I’d sigh
How I’d cry
If you got tired and said good-bye
More than I’d show
More than you’ll ever know

 

2nd version

More than you know
More than you know
Man of my heart I love you so
Lately I find you on my mind
More than you know

Whether you’re right
Whether you’re wrong
Man of my heart I’ll string along
I need you so
More than you’ll ever know

Loving you the way that I do
There’s nothing I can do about it
Loving may be all you can give
But darling I can’t live without it

Oh, how I’d cry
How I’d sigh
If you got tired and said good-bye
More than I’d show
More than you’ll ever know

 

Notes

The song was introduced in the Broadway musical Great Day where it was sung by Mayo Methot.

 

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176. My First Impression Of You

Lyrics by Lew Brown

Music by Charles Tobias & Sam H. Stept

My first impression of you
Was like the sight of flowers in spring
You were a glorious thing
To see

My first impression of you
Was something indescribably new
I stood there looking at you
Smiling at me

If you had stepped right out of heaven
It wouldn’t surprise me more
I thought you were an angel
From heaven’s door

It may sound silly but true
My heart just stopped
When I caught your eye
So overwhelming
Was my first impression of you

 

2nd version

My first impression of you
Was like the sight of flowers in spring
You were a glorious thing
To see

My first impression of you
Was something indescribably new
I stood there looking at you
Smiling at me

If you had stepped right out of heaven
It wouldn’t surprise me more
I thought you were an angel
From heaven’s door

It may sound silly but true
My heart just stopped
When I caught your eye
So overwhelming
Was my first impression of you

 

Notes

NC

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177. (This Is) My Last Affair

Haven Johnson

Can’t you see
What love and romance have done to me
I’m not the same as I used to be
This is my last affair

Tragedy
Just seems to be the end of me
My happiness is misery
This is my last affair

Right from the start
You took my love
Tore my heart apart
Now there’s nothing new to look forward to
My dreams won’t come true

So I’ll make a vow, make a vow
No more to love’s shrine will I bow
I cross my heart and seal it now
This is my last affair

Notes

The song was introduced by Mildred Bailey in 1936. It appeared in the Broadway play New Faces in 1936. It was recorded and popularized by Billie Holiday. Her Savoy Eight introduced the song.

 

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178. My Man (Mon Homme)

french lyrics by Albert Willemetz & Jacques Charles

english lyrics by Channing Pollock

music by Maurice Yvain

follows 17 versions of this song

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1937	MT	73	Complete on Columbia v.4	3	3’02”

(verse I)

Note: the original lyrics has two verses an a refrain. This 1937

version, the first Billie recorded, is the only one she sang with

verse I. All subsequent versions were sung with verse II and

none with both verses.

Sometimes I say
If I just could get away
With my man

He’d go straight sure as fate
For it never is too late
For a man.

I just like to dream
Of a cottage by a stream
With my man

Where a few flowers grew
And perhaps a kid or two
Like my man.

And then my eyes get wet
I ‘most forget
‘Til he gets hot
And tells me not to talk
such rot

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1948	MT	199	Complete on Decca v.2	8	2’56”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing
That I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three
Girls has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back on
My knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1948	AT	199a	Complete on Decca v.2	7	3’08”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing
That I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three
Girls has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back on
My knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(a small piece of a chat)

 

4th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1949	LR	51	Perfect Complete Collection v.3	3	2’36”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing
That I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three
Girls has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back on
My knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

5th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	83	Perfect Complete Collection v.4	15	3’23”

(Billie introduces the song:
“I’d like to try singing for you a song
made famous by miss Fanny Brice, thank you”)

 

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

6th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1952	MT	234	Complete on Verve v.2	9	2’36”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

7th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1952	LR	93	Perfect Complete Collection v.5	2	3’11”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

8th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1952	LR	92A	Perfect Complete Collection v.5	1	2’53”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

9th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	112	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	3	2’52”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(applauses)

 

10th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	120	Complete on Verve v.2	18	2’52”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(applauses)

 

11th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	138	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	20	2’56”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(applauses)

 

12th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1955	LR	141	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	23	2’58”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes, I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(applauses)

 

13th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	LR	149	Perfect Complete Collection v.9	10	2’53”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet
Tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(applauses)

 

 

14th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	LR	171	Complete on Verve v.8	14	3’13”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet, tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(applauses)

 

15th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1957	LR	182	Complete on Verve v.10	6	3’30”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet, tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

(applauses)

 

16th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1958	LR	193B	Perfect Complete Collection v.9	20	3’02”

(verse II)

It’s cost me a lot
But there’s one thing that I’ve got
It’s my man
It’s my man

Cold and wet, tired you bet
All of this I’ll soon forget
With my man

He’s not much on looks
He’s no hero out of books
But I love him
Yes I love him

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him

I don’t know why I should
He isn’t true
He beats me too
What can I do?

(refrain)

Oh my man I love him so
He’ll never know
All my life is just despair
But I don’t care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright
All right

What’s the difference if I say
I’ll go away
When I know I’ll come back
On my knees someday

For whatever my man is
I’m his
Forever more

 

 

Notes

Originally, this is a french song, Mon Homme, premiered in France by cabaret singer Mistinguet.

In US it was included in the score of Siegfeld Follies 1921 at the Globe Theater by the famous American singer Fanny Brice, who passed away May 29th, 1951, a couple of months before Billie’s performance in LR #83. Probably this was the reason why Billie mentioned her in the introduction. The ballad version recorded by Brice was modified by Billie Holiday, who introduced a jazz/blues recording of “My Man”. Holiday’s version was also successful, although the song continued to be associated with Brice.

The Follies were lavish revues that ran from 1907 through 1931, something between later Broadway shows and a more elaborate high class Vaudeville variety show. Many of the top entertainers of the era appeared in the shows (Image from 1912, wikipedia).

It was one of the songs most sung by Billie on her live presentations. Out of the 17 versions available in audio, only one has been taped, her presentation at the “Stars of Jazz, broadcasted by KABC from Los Angeles in 1956. Billie sang three songs, including My Man. See the complete tape below (A/N).

  My Man – Billie Holiday 1956

 

---

179. My Old Flame (1934)

lyrics by Sam Coslow

music by Arthur Johnston

follows 4 versions of this song

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But it’s funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame

My old flame
My new lovers all seem so tame
For I haven’t met a gent
So magnificent or elegant
As my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

 

2nd version

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But it’s funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame

My old flame
My new lovers all seem so tame
For I haven’t met a gent
So magnificent or elegant
As my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

 

3rd version

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But it’s funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame

My old flame
My new lovers all seem so tame
For I haven’t met a gent
So magnificent or elegant
As my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

 

4th version

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But it’s funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame

My old flame
My new lovers all seem so tame
For I haven’t met a gent
So magnificent or elegant
As my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

I’ve met so many men
With fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who sent me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of

My old flame
I can’t even think of his name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

 

Notes

This song first appeared in the film Belle of the Nineties with Mae West and Duke Ellington.

 

---

180. My Sweet Hunk of Trash

James P. Johnson & Flournoy E. Miller

Billie sings, (and Armstrong comments)

You don’t act up too much
Ain’t got that glamour touch
You’re trifling lazy
Ain’t worth a cigarette ash
(Look out there mamma, look out there
You carry me too fast, watch it baby)
You’re just my good for nothin’
My sweet hunk o’ trash
(My, my how you sound)
You’re very short on looks
(Here, here, here)
Dumb when it comes to books
(Look out, baby, watch it, honey)
And you stay full of corn
Just like a succotash
(What you want me to do
in my idle moments?)
You’re just a good-for-nothing
But my sweet hunk o’ trash
(Let me get a word in there honey,
you running your mouth)

 

Armstrong sings, (Billie comments)

 

You said I’ve worried you for years
I’m just a barfly mooching’ beers
While you sweat over a hot stove slinging hash
(Work my fingers right down to the elbows)
Yes I may be good-for-nothing
But I’m still your sweet hunk o’ trash
(First to admit it baby)
You said I spread my love all around
And with the chicks all over town
But, how can I when you keep me broke
So I can’t spend no cash
Yes I may be good-for-nothing
But I’m still your sweet hunk o’ trash

 

Billie sings, (Armstrong comments)

 

Listen hear Pops,
You know you lie about your youth
(I don’t lie baby,
I’m just careless with the truth, that’s all)
How careless can you be
(Oh, no)
With all young chicks
You try to make a flash
(No baby, it ain’t like that, no)
But you’re still my good-for-nothin’
My sweet hunk o’ trash

 

(laughs)

 

Now when you stay out very late
It sure makes me mad to wait
(How come, baby?)
‘Cause, you come home too tired
To raise just one eyelash
(Watch it baby, watch it)
You’re just good-for-nothing
But you’re my sweet hunk o’ trash
(Yes indeed!)

 

2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1949	AT	207a	Private Recording	–	3’20”

Billie sings, (Armstrong comments)

 

You don’t act up too much
Ain’t got that glamour touch
You’re trifling lazy
Ain’t worth a cigarette ash
(Look out there mamma, look out there
You carry me too fast, watch it baby)
You’re just my good for nothin’
My sweet hunk o’ trash
(My, my how you sound)
You’re very short on looks
(Here, here, here)
Dumb when it comes to books
(Look out, baby, watch it, honey)
And you stay full of corn
Just like a succotash
(What you want me to do
in my idle moments?)
You’re just a good-for-nothing
But my sweet hunk o’ trash
(Let me get a word in there honey,
you running your mouth)

 

Armstrong sings, (Billie comments)

 

You said I’ve worried you for years
I’m just a barfly mooching’ beers
While you sweat over a hot stove slinging hash
(Work my fingers right down to the elbows)
Yes I may be good-for-nothing
But I’m still your sweet hunk o’ trash
(First to admit it baby)
You said I spread my love all around
And with the chicks all over town
But, how can I when you keep me broke
So I can’t spend no cash
Yes I may be good-for-nothing
But I’m still your sweet hunk o’ trash

 

Billie sings, (Armstrong comments)

 

Listen hear Pops,
You know you lie about your youth
(I don’t lie baby,
I’m just careless with the truth, that’s all)
How careless can you be
(Oh, no)
With all young chicks
You try to make a flash
(No baby, it ain’t like that, no)
But you’re still my good-for-nothin’
My sweet hunk o’ trash

(laughs)

Now when you stay out very late
It sure makes me mad to wait
(How come, baby?)
‘Cause, you come home too tired
To raise just one eyelash
(Watch it baby, watch it)
You’re just good-for-nothing
But you’re my sweet hunk o’ trash
(Yes indeed!)

 

Notes

Comment from Steve D (September27, 2022)

Yikes! Was a bit surprised when you claimed Louis Armstrong cussed on “Sweet Hunk of Trash,” until I realized the mistake. He’s saying, “How come, baby?” Would be so out of character for him to swear.

---

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