Not really an instant classic, the song was first part of the 1924 score for the musical comedy "Lady, Be Good." After deletion from that show, it was included (lyrically as both "The Man I Love" and "The Girl I Love") in the Gershwins' 1927 government satire "Strike Up the Band," which closed out-of-town. It was also considered for, but rejected from, the 1928 Ziegfeld hit "Rosalie."

Finally, torch singer Helen Morgan, who typically performed while draped over the top of a piano, gave the song its first true voice with her interpretation--and it was recorded by five different artists in 1928.

"There's a Small Hotel" is a Broadway pop tune composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart. It was written for the 1936 musical "On Your Toes," which went on to become a huge success. The song is a romantic duet between two characters, and it has a charming and whimsical quality to it that perfectly captures the essence of the era in which it was written. Over the years, "There's a Small Hotel" has become a classic tune that has been covered by numerous artists and featured in countless films and television shows.

Regenerate response

Ballad by pianist Bud Powell, composed 1949, first released 1950...

"Mean to Me" is a popular song that was written by Roy Turk and Fred Ahlert in 1929. It has been covered by various artists over the years, including Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. The lyrics describe a person who is head over heels in love with someone who may not feel the same way. While the song may be a bit melancholic, it's hard not to appreciate the playful pun in the title. After all, if someone is "mean to you," it usually means they're not very nice. But in this case, the singer is saying that they want their lover to be "mean to me" in the sense of being stingy with their affection. It's a clever play on words that adds a touch of whimsy to the song's bittersweet theme.

"Stella by Starlight" is a jazz standard composed by Victor Young with lyrics by Ned Washington. It was first introduced in the 1944 film "The Uninvited," but it quickly became a popular song to perform and record by jazz musicians. The song's haunting melody and complex chord progression have made it a favorite among jazz musicians, and it has been covered by countless artists over the years, including Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and Charlie Parker. Its popularity in the jazz world is due to its ability to be interpreted in many different ways, with each musician adding their unique flavor to the piece. Overall, "Stella by Starlight" is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time and remains a staple in the jazz repertoire. [Description by CHAT GPT]

"I Could Write a Book" is a show tune from the 1940 Rodgers and Hart musical "Pal Joey," originally sung by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. Now a jazz standard--extensively covered-- Harry Connick Jr.'s version was used in the '89 film "When Harry Met Sally" and also appeared on the soundtrack of the '97 film "Deconstructing Harry."

"Beautiful Love" is a jazz standard originally composed by Wayne King, Victor Young and Egbert Van Alstyne with lyrics by Haven Gillespie. It appears as a love theme in the 1932 film "The Mummy" and in the film "Hotel Continental" the same year--as well as in 1944's film "Sing a Jingle," and in Woody Allen's 1989 "Crimes and Misdemeanors."

This song was first produced with different lyrics as "Lookin' For Another Sweetie" by Chris Smith and Sterling Grant, recorded by Thomas "Fats" Waller & His Babies in 1929. In 1930, it was reborn as "Confessin'" with new lyrics by Al Neiburg, and the music this time credited to Doc Daugherty and Ellis Reynolds.

Hoagy Carmichael's “Skylark,” published in 1941, was originally written for a musical about his deceased friend, trumpeter Bix Beiderbecke, and was said to have been based on Beiderbecke solos. Carmichael later reworked the composition and passed the melody on to Johnny Mercer for lyrics--but by the time Mercer called months later to sing the completed lyric, Carmichael had completely forgotten that'd he'd written it.

Benny Golson wrote “Whisper Not” in 1956, while performing in Dizzy Gillespie’s big band. The band recorded it in November 1956, and Golson recorded it with his own group in 1957. The song was an immediate hit with jazz musicians, and when Leonard Feather added lyrics, it was picked up by numerous vocalists.

(Background paintings: Edward Hopper. Doug's t-shirt: Santa Fe Hemp)