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