Don't Cry Joe

By Joe Marsala
1949

A breakout hit of the postwar years, written by jazz clarinest Marsala and introduced by popular 1940s and '50s crooner Johnny Desmond (pictured). Some believed at the time that the song's lyrics indicated trouble with Marsala's marriage--but actually the songwriter claimed it was meant for GIs returning after serving in World War II to discover their sweethearts had taken up with other men.

Lyrics:

Don't cry, Joe, let her go, let her go, let her go,
Don't cry, Joe, let her go, let her go, let her go.

You got to realize this is the wind-up,
You're gonna feel much better once you made your mind up.
Don't cry, Joe, let her go, let her go, let her go.

So you lost your gal, it's happened many times before,
So you sit and mope like a dope, what's that good for,
Get a hold of yourself, forget her, you lived long before you met her.
There're lots of other girls, so I say,
Don't cry, Joe, let her go, let her go, let her go.
Don't cry, Joe, let her go, let her go, let her go.

You got to realize this is the wind-up,
You'll feel much better once you made your mind up.
Don't cry, Joe, let her go, let her go, let her go.

Take a look around and see just what you're missing,
You'll soon forget your troubles, Joe, if you'd only listen.
So don't cry, Joe, let her go, let her go, Joe, let her go.

Recorded By:

Johnny Desmond
Frank Sinatra
Godron Jenkins
Joni James

The Curse of an Aching Heart

By Henry Fink & Al Piantadosi

1913

A dusty old chestnut from the pre-World War I era, this is a melancholy, sentimental tear-jerker of the variety that was popular at the time. It was introduced by superstar opera singer Will Oakland, and later became a standard cliche of the woeful love song. This can be seen in its hilarious inclusion in the 1930 Laurel & Hardy short Blotto. It was also resurrected as a swingin' tune by Frank Sinatra for his 1961 album, Sinatra Swings.

Lyrics:

You made me think you cared for me

And I believed in you
You told me things you never meant
And made me think them true

I gambled in the game of life
I played my heart and lost
I'm now a wreck upon life's sea
Alone I pay the cost

You made me what I am today
I hope you're satisfied
You dragged and dragged me down until
The soul within me died

You shattered each and ev'ry dream
Fooled me right from the start
And though you're not true, may God bless you
That's the curse of an aching heart.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Fats Waller
Monty Sunshine
Manuel Romain
Jimmie Davis