A Fine Romance

By Jerome Kern & Dorothy Fields
1936

An absolutely iconic standard if ever there was one, introduced as so many of them were, by the immortal Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was given to them by the legendary Kern/Fields songwriting team for their film Swing Time, and remains a high benchmark of musical grace and lyrical sophistication. You know how people say, they don't write them like this anymore? Well... they don't write them like this anymore. An infectious classic that epitomizes the precocious side of love.

Lyrics:

A fine romance with no kisses,
A fine romance, my friend, this is.
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes,
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed potatoes.

A fine romance, you won't nestle.
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle.
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants,
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance.

A fine romance, my good fellow.
You take romance, I'll take Jello.
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean,
At least they flap their fins to express emotion.

A fine romance, my dear Duchess,
Two old fogies, we really need crutches.
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France!
I haven't got a chance, this is a fine romance.

A fine romance, my good woman,
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman.
You never give those orchids I send a glance,
They're just like cactus plants,
This is a fine romance

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Frank Sinatra
Judi Dench
Lena Horne

I Can't Give You Anything but Love

By Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
1927

Some have claimed that this song was actually written by Fats Waller and his collaborator Andy Razaf, but this remains unproven. It was originally written as "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Lindy" in honor of Charles Lindburgh, but was dropped from the show in which it would have served that purpose. It was instead introduced in the all-black show Blackbird Revue. Today, many recall it from its unforgettable usage in the classic Grant/Hepburn screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby.

Lyrics:

Gee but it's tough to be broke kid,
It's not a joke kid,
It's a curse.
My luck is changing it's gotten from simply rotten,
To something worse.
Who knows someday I will win too,
I'll begin to reach my pride.
Now that i see what our end is,
All can spend is just my time.

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby.
Dream a while. Scheme a while.
We're sure to find,
Happiness, and I guess
all those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell,
My little baby
Diamond bracelets Woolworth's doesn't sell, baby.
Till that lucky day you know darn well, baby,
I can't give you anything but love.

Recorded By:

Fats Waller
Ella Fitzgerald
Judy Garland
Doris Day
Louis Armstrong

I'm in the Mood for Love

By Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
1935

The great McHugh/Fields songwriting team gave us this one, a thinly veiled ode to the libido introduced by Frances Langford in the film Every Night at Eight. It's better known, however, as the quasi-theme song of Alfalfa, who famously sang it in his trademark cracked voice in the 1936 Our Gang short "The Pinch Singer". For the record, this was a favorite of mine as a kid--knew it by heart and could even play it on my uncle's organ. I probably could still figure out the keys if I tried...

Lyrics:

I'm in the mood for love,
Simply because you're near me.
Funny but when you're near me,
I'm in the mood for love.

Heaven is in your eyes,
Bright as the stars we're under,
Oh, is it any wonder,
I'm in the mood for love?

Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together -
Now we are one, I'm not afraid.

If there's a cloud above,
If it should rain, we'll let it.
But for tonight forget it,
I'm in the mood for love.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Julie London
Nat King Cole
Spike Jones
Barbra Streisand

The Cuban Love Song

By Herbert Stothart, Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
1931

I heard Lawrence Tibbett's original recording of this song on the way in to work this morning for the first time, and I must say it moved me. It was written specifically for the film of the same name, in which Tibbett, a star of the Metropolitan Opera who had been nominated for an Oscar the year before, sings it to the gorgeous Lupe Velez. It was the only hit song to emerge from the screen musical.

Lyrics:

I love you.
That's what my heart is saying,
While every breeze is playing,
Our Cuban love song.

I love you.
For all the joy you brought me,
The lovely night you taught me,
Our Cuban love song.

One melody will always thrill my heart.
One kiss will cheer me when we're apart.

I love you.
With such a tender passion,
And only you could fashion,
Our Cuban love song.

Recorded By:

Ruth Etting
Jacques Renard
Paul Whiteman
George Shearing
Mel Torme

Exactly Like You

By Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
1930

The Busby Berkely Broadway production International Revue produced this standard, as well as "On the Sunny Side of the Street". Harry Richman and Gertrude Lawrence (pictured) introduced the light and infectious number, buoyed by Fields excellent-as-always lyric. The song might have slipped into obscurity were it not for a jazzy version recorded six years later by the Benny Goodman Trio, with Lionel Hampton on vocal.

Lyrics:

I know why I've waited,
Know why I've been blue.
I pray each night for someone
Exactly like you.

Why should we spend some money
On a show or two?
No one plays those love scenes
Exactly like you

You make me feel so grand,
I wanna give the world to you.
You make me understand
Every foolish little dream I'm dreaming,
Every scheme I'm scheming.

I know why my mother
Taught me to be true.
She meant me for someone
Exactly like you.

Recorded By:

Diana Krall
Nina Simone
Louis Armstrong
Tony Bennett & k.d. lang
Ruth Etting

Pick Yourself Up

By Jerome Kern & Dorothy Fields
1936

One of so many memorable standards written for Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, this one comes from Swing Time, considered by most to be their finest musical film. Kern & Fields composed all the songs for the movie, including "A Fine Romance" and the Oscar-winning "The Way You Look Tonight".

Lyrics:

Nothing's impossible, I have found,
For when my chin is on the ground,
I pick myself up, dust myself off, start all over again.

Don't lose your confidence, if you slip.
Be grateful for a pleasant trip,
And pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again.

Work like a soul inspired,
Till the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired,
But you'll be a man, my son.

Don't you remember the famous men,
Who had to fall to rise again?
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again.

Recorded By:

Anita O'Day
Frank Sinatra
Diana Krall
Nat King Cole
Benny Goodman

On the Sunny Side of the Street

By Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
1930

A classic Depression-era pick-me-up, this song was written by Fields & McHugh (pictured) for Lew Leslie's International Revue at the Majestic Theatre (current home of Phantom of the Opera), where it was introduced by Harry Richman. Although a flop, the show produced this standard, as well as "Exactly Like You." For years, rumors have persisted that it was actually written by Fats Waller and sold for some fast money. It has also been alleged that its lyric is a reference to blacks who "pass" for white. The upbeat number has long been a favorite of jazz musicians.

Lyrics:

Grab your coat and get your hat,
Leave your worries on the doorstep.
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street.

Can’t you hear the pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step.
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street.

I used to walk in the shade,
With my blues on parade.
But I’m not afraid...
This rover’s crossed over.

If I never had a cent,
I’d be rich as Rockefeller,
Gold dust at my feet,
On the sunny side of the street.

Recorded By:

Ted Lewis
Tommy Dorsey
Jo Stafford
Dizzy Gillespie
Keely Smith