I Wanna Be Loved By You

By Herbert Stothart, Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar
1928

An iconic number for the original "Boop-Boop-a-Doop" girl Helen Kane, who first performed it in the Broadway musical Good Boy, this infectiously cute number was the product of the legendary Ruby/Kalmar team (pictured) that had written for the Marx Brothers, among many others. Kane's rendition propelled her to superstardom, and was copied many times since, including by Betty Boop, the cartoon character she inspired, and by Marilyn Monroe, who memorably performed it in Billy Wilder's classic comedy Some Like It Hot. A young Debbie Reynolds, portraying Helen Kane in the 1950 Ruby/Kalmar biopic Three Little Words, also took a crack at this late Roaring '20s anthem.

Lyrics:

I wanna be loved by you,
just you and nobody else but you
I wanna be loved by you
alone--Boop Boop a Doop!
I wanna be kissed by you
just you, nobody else but you
I wanna be loved by you
alone

I couldn't aspire
To anything higher
Then to fill a desire
to make you my own

I wanna be loved by you,
just you and nobody else but you
I wanna be loved by you
alone

I couldn't aspire
To anything higher
Then to fill a desire
to make you my own
tada tada ta tada

I wanna be loved by you
just you, nobody else but you
I wanna be loved by you
Alone
Boop Boop a Doop!

Recorded By:

Annette Hanshaw
Sinead O'Connor
Frank Sinatra
Barry Manilow
Tina Louise

Button Up Your Overcoat

By Ray Hernderon, B.G. DeSylva and Lew Brown
1928

Although Ruth Etting was the first to record this song, it was the version recorded a few months later by Helen Kane, the cutesy-voiced singer who inspired Betty Boop, that made the song a major hit. It would also be featured in the 1929 Broadway musical Follow Thru, as well as the film of the following year. Although it would always be identified as a song very much of the 1920s, it would be regularly brought back as a nostalgia piece by artists of later decades.

Lyrics: 

Listen, big boy
Now that you got me made
Goodness, but I'm afraid
Somethin's gonna happen to you

Listen, big boy
You gotta be hooked, and how
I would die if I should lose you now

Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Take good care of yourself
You belong to me

Eat an apple every day
Get to bed by three
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me

Be careful crossing streets, ooh, ooh
Cut out sweets, ooh, ooh
Lay off meat, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum

Wear your flannel underwear
When you climb a tree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me

Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Boop-boop-a-doop

When you sass a traffic cop
Use diplomacy
Just take good care of yourself
You belong to me

Beware of frozen funds, ooh, ooh
Stocks and bonds, ooh, ooh
Dockside thugs, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll

Keep the spoon out of your cup
When you're drinking tea
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me

Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh, ooh
Or on nails, ooh, ooh
Or third rails, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum

Keep away from bootleg hooch
When you're on a spree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me

Recorded By:

Sarah Vaughan
Paul Whiteman
Connie Francis
Johnny Mercer
Bing Crosby

Let's Misbehave

By Cole Porter
1927

One of the signature, defining tunes of the Roaring '20s, and yet it almost didn't see the light of day. Porter composed this ode to free-wheeling sexuality for his first major Broadway revue, Paris, but it was substituted at the last minute with another Porter gem, "Let's Do It" (it was eventually included in the 1962 revival of Anything Goes). Nevertheless, the star of Paris, Irene Bordoni, made a recording of it that became an instant hit. It has since become a song that instantly conjures up those Jazz Age days, and thus has appeared in many films over the years. The 1928 Irving Aaronson version alone has been featured in two Woody Allen films, was danced to by Christopher Walken in Pennies from Heaven, and most recently appeared in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. Elvis Costello also performed it in the Cole Porter biopic, De-Lovely.

Lyrics:

You could have a great career,
And you should;
Yes you should.
Only one thing stops you dear:
You're too good;
Way too good!

If you want a future, darlin',
Why don't you get a past?
'Cause that fateful moment's comin' at last...

We're all alone, no chaperone
Can get our number
The world's in slumber--let's misbehave!!!

There's something wild about you child
That's so contagious
Let's be outrageous--let's misbehave!!!

When Adam won Eve's hand
He wouldn't stand for teasin'.
He didn't care about those apples out of season.

They say that Spring means just one little thing to little lovebirds
We're not above birds--let's misbehave!!!

It's getting late and while I wait
My poor heart aches on
Why keep the breaks on? Let's misbehave!!!

I feel quite sure affaire d'amour
Would be attractive
While we're still active, let's misbehave!

You know my heart is true
And you say you for me care...
Somebody's sure to tell,
But what the heck do we care?

They say that bears have love affairs
And even camels
We're men and mammals--let's misbehave!!!

Recorded By:

Irving Aaronson and His Commanders
Cole Porter
Elvis Costello
Cybill Shepherd
Ethel Merman

Sonny Boy

By Ray Henderson, Bud De Sylva & Lew Brown
1928

A sentimental tear-jerker if ever there was one, this is however a fine example of the powerful work of Al Jolson, a titanic entertainer of the early 20th century. Call it sappy, but I find that a measure of the level of maturity one has attained in life can be taken by whether or not one is moved by this song. Jolson himself introduced it in his second talkie, The Singing Fool, and took it to #1 for 12 weeks, selling over a million copies. The cartoon character Bosko also sings it in Warner Bros.' first animated short, The Talk-Ink Kid.

Lyrics:

Climb up on my knee, Sonny Boy,
Though you're only three, Sonny Boy.
You've no way of knowing,
There's no way of showing
What you mean to me, Sonny Boy.

When there are gray skies,
I don't mind the gray skies,
You make them blue,
Sonny Boy.

Friends may forsake me,
Let 'em all forsake me,
I still have you,
Sonny Boy.

You come from Heaven,
And I know your worth.
You've made a Heaven
For me, here on Earth.

When I'm old and gray, dear,
Promise you won't stray, dear,
For I love you so,
Sonny Boy.

[*sniff sniff*]

Recorded By:

Jimmy Roselli
Paul Robeson
Sonny Rollins
The Andrews Sisters
Mel Torme

Mack the Knife

By Kurt Weill & Marc Blitzstein
1928/1954

German composer Weill originally wrote this song for the 1928 Bertolt Brecht musical drama Die Dreigroschenoper, known in English as The Threepenny Opera. In fact, it was Brecht himself who provided the original German lyrics. Some 25 years later, an English translation by Blitzstein would be introduced as a jazz standard by Louis Armstrong. To this day, the most famous rendition of this swinging pop masterpiece is that of Bobby Darrin.

Lyrics:

Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear,
And it shows them pearly white.
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe,
And he keeps it out of sight.

Ya know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe,
Scarlet billows start to spread.
Fancy gloves, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe,
So there's never a trace of red.

Now on the sidewalk, sunny mornin',
Lies a body just oozin' life.
And someone's sneakin' 'round the corner.
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?

There's a tugboat, down by the river don'tcha know,
Where a cement bag just a'droopin' on down
Oh, that cement is just, it's there for the weight, dear.
Five'll get ya ten old Macky's back in town.

Now d'ja hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe,
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash.
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor.
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?

Now Jenny Diver, Sukey Tawdry.
Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown.
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe,
Now that Macky's back in town!

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Frank Sinatra
Michael Buble
The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Wayne Newton

If I Had You

By James Campbell, Reginald Connelly & Ted Shapiro
1928

This song has special significance for me, because it was the song I sang to my newborn daughter the first time I held her in my arms. It's a beautiful, underrated English ballad, composed by the songwriting team of Campbell & Connelly under the combined pseudonym of "Irving King", and introduced by the great Rudy Vallee. In recent years, it was sung by actor Edward Norton in the Woody Allen film, Everyone Says I Love You.

Lyrics:

I could show the world how to smile,
I could be glad all of the while,
I could turn the gray skies to blue,
If I had you.

I could leave the old days behind,
Leave all my pals,
They'd never mind.
I could start my life anew,
If I had you.

I could climb a snow-capped mountain,
Sail the mighty ocean wide.
I could cross the burning desert,
If I had you by my side.

I could be a king, dear, uncrowned.
Humble or poor,
Rich or renowned.
There is nothing I couldn't do,
If I had you.

Recorded By:

Sarah Vaughan
Frank Sinatra
Judy Garland
Dinah Washington
Joe Williams

You Took Advantage of Me

By Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
1928

The sole hit to emerge from Rodgers & Hart's Present Arms, this song was introduced by Joyce Barbour and Busby Berkeley (yes, the famous director/choreographer). Recently, it was included in the 2007 album Free Again! by Will & Grace star Megan Mullally, and last year on When I Fall in Love, the debut album of up-and-coming crooner Mark Weber (not to be confused with the famous race car driver, actor, rock guitarist or Holocaust denier with the same name.

Lyrics:

I'm a sentimental sap, that's all.
What's the use of trying not to fall?
I have no will,
You've made your kill,
'Cause you took advantage of me!

I'm just like an apple on a bough,
And you're gonna shake me down somehow.
So, what's the use?
You've cooked my goose,
'Cause you took advantage of me!

I'm so hot and bothered that I don't
Know my elbow from my ear.
I suffer something awful each time you go,
And much worse when you're near.

Here I am with all my bridges burned,
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned.
So lock the doors,
And call me yours,
'Cause you took advantage of me.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Linda Ronstadt
Billie Holiday
Art Tatum
Carmen McRae

I've Got a Crush on You

By George & Ira Gershwin
1928

This unquestioned Gershwin classic is unique in having been used for two of their musicals, Treasure Girl and Strike Up the Band. In the first of the two, it was introduced by Mary Hay and Clifton Webb. Some 15 years later, a young Frank Sinatra would make the song his own. His Columbia recording would become one the cornerstones of his budding solo career.

Lyrics:

How glad the many millions
Of Annabelles and Lillians would be,
To capture me.
But you had such persistence,
You wore down my resistance.
I fell, and it was swell.
I'm your big and brave and handsome Romeo,
How I won you I shall never, never know.
It's not that you're attractive,
But, oh, my heart grew active
When you came into view...

Ive got a crush on you, sweetie pie.
All the day and nighttime, hear me sigh.
I never had the least notion
That I could fall with so much emotion.

Could you coo? Could you care?
For a cunning cottage we could share?
The world will pardon my mush,
'Cause I have got a crush, my baby, on you.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Stacey Kent
Peggy Lee
Julie London
Michael Buble

My Baby Just Cares for Me

By Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn
1928

One of three hit tunes from the musical Whoopee, it was introduced by that show's star, Eddie Cantor. Later, however, it would become the signature song of jazz singer Nina Simone, further popularized by its use in a 1987 Chanel No. 5 commercial. It also featured in the 1999 Woody Allen film, Everyone Says I Love You, in which it's sung by Edward Norton.

Lyrics:

My baby don't care for shows,
My baby don't care for clothes,
My baby just cares for me.

My baby don't care for furs and laces,
My baby don't care for high-toned places.

My baby don't care for rings,
Or other expensive things.
She's sensible as can be.

My baby don't care who knows it,
My baby just cares for me!

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Cyndi Lauper
Jack Payne (below)
Nat King Cole
Ted Weems

Sweet Lorraine

By Cliff Burwell & Mitchell Parish
1928

Legend has it this song played a direct part in turning Nat Cole from a pianist to a singer, and earning him his famous nickname. A lover of the tune since he was a boy, when Cole--then strictly a piano player--was asked by a spectator to sing, he performed it, to everyone's amazement. Thus, a "King" was born. The song had originally been introduced a decade earlier by Rudy Vallee, but Cole would up scoring a much bigger hit with it.

Lyrics:

Just found joy,
I'm as happy as a baby boy
With another brand new choo-choo toy,
When I'm with my sweet Lorraine.

She's got a pair of eyes
That are brighter than the summer skies.
When you see them, you'll realize
Why I love my sweet Lorraine.

When it's raining, I don't miss the sun,
Because it's in my baby's smile.
And to think that I'm the lucky one
That will lead her down the aisle!

Each night I pray
That no one will steal her heart away.
I can't wait until that lucky day,
When I marry sweet Lorraine.

Recorded By:

Stephane Grappelli
Teddy Wilson
Marvin Gaye
Jimmie Noone
Frank Sinatra

Embraceable You

By George & Ira Gershwin
1928

Originally written for the unpublished operetta East Is West, this song sat on the shelf for two years, until the Gershwins inserted it into their smash hit 1930 Broadway production, Girl Crazy. The musical, and the song, helped make a star out of Ginger Rogers, who performed it in a number choreographed by Fred Astaire.

Lyrics:

Dozens of girls would storm up--
I had to lock my door.
Somehow i couldn't warm up
To one before.
What was it that controlled me?
What kept my love life lean?
My intuition told me
You'd come on the scene.
Lady, listen to the rhythm of my heartbeat,
And you'll get just what I mean.

Embrace me,
My sweet embraceable you.
Embrace me,
You irreplaceable you.

Just one look at you,
My heart grew tipsy in me.
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me.

I love all
The many charms about you.
Above all,
I want my arms about you.

Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do.
My sweet embraceable you.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Frank Sinatra
Andy Bey
Judy Garland

Love Me or Leave Me

By Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn
1928

Along with "Makin' Whoopee", this was one of the hit songs produced by the musical comedy Whoopee!, a Florenz Ziegfeld musical comedy of 1928. It was introduced in the show by Ruth Etting (pictured), who made a hit record of it shortly thereafter. She became famous for the song, performing it in later Broadway shows. A 1955 film of her life, in which she was portrayed by Doris Day, was named for the song.

Lyrics:

Love me or leave me,
And let me be lonely.
You won't believe me,
But I love you only.
I'd rather be lonely
Than happy with somebody else.

You might find the night time
The right time for kissing.
Night time is my time
For just reminiscing.
Regretting instead of
Forgetting with somebody else.

There'll be no one,
Unless that someone is you.
I intend to be
Independently blue.

I want you love,
And I don't wanna borrow.
Have it today,
To give back tomorrow.
Your love is my love--
There's no love for nobody else.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Nina Simone
Sammy Davis Jr.
Lena Horne
Maude Maggart