Too Close for Comfort

By Jerry Bock, George David Weiss & Larry Holofcener
1956

A major hit from the 1956 Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful starring Sammy Davis Jr., this song was one of the 1950s most popular standards. In the original show, it was introduced by Charlie Welch, but it was Eydie Gorme who recorded the version that became a huge hit the same year as the show. It would immediately become one of the most recorded traditional pop songs of its era, and one of the last such songs to become such a big hit prior to the rock and roll takeover...

Lyrics:

Be wise, be smart, behave, my heart
Don't upset your cart when she's so close
Be soft, be sweet, but be discreet
Don't go off your feet, she's to close for comfort

Too close, too close for comfort, please and not again
Too close, too close to know just when to say "when"

Be firm, be fair, be sure, beware
On your guard, take care, while there's such temptation

One thing leads to another
Too late to run for cover
She's much too close for comfort now.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Natalie Cole
Mel Torme
Art Pepper
Herbie Nichols

Mr. Wonderful

By Jerry Bock, George David Weiss & Larry Holofcener
1955

The title song of a Broadway musical designed to showcase the many talents of Sammy Davis Jr., the song was introduced by Davis' leading lady Olga James. Also in the show were Davis' father and uncle. An arrangement of this song for choir can be heard be heard during the opening Lake Tahoe scene of The Godfather Part II.

Lyrics:

Why this feeling? Why this glow?
Why the thrill when you say hello?
It's a strange and tender magic you do.
Mr. Wonderful, that's you.

Why this trembling when you speak?
Why this joy when you touch my cheek?
I must tell you what my heart knows is true.
Mr. Wonderful, that's you.

And why this longing to know your charms?
To spend forever here in your arms?

Oh, there's much more I could say,
But the words keep slipping away,
And I'm left with one point of view.
Mr. Wonderful, that's you.

One more thing, then I'm through.
Mr. Wonderful, I love you!

Recorded By:

Keely Smith
Peggy Lee
Bette Midler
The Kinks
Ruby Murray

Lullaby of Birdland

By George Shearing & George David Weiss

1952

An anthem of the post-World War II be-bop era in jazz, this tune was written for the preeminent Times Square jazz club Birdland, named after legendary saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker. Shearing himself introduced it as the theme song of a radio show broadcast from there, and Sarah Vaughan was the first to record it with lyrics two years later. Recently, Amy Winehouse included a bit of the melody in her recording of "October Song".

Lyrics:

Lullaby of Birdland, that's what I

Always hear when you sigh.

Never in my woodland

Could there be words to reveal

In a phrase how I feel.

Have you ever heard two turtle doves

Bill and coo when they love?

That's the kind of magic

Music we make with our lips

When we kiss.

And there's a weepy ol' willow,

He really knows how to cry.

That's how I'd cry in my pillow,

If you should tell me farewell and goodbye.

Lullaby of Birdland, whisper low,

Kiss me sweet, and we'll go

Flyin' high in Birdland,

High in the sky up above,

All because we're in love.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald

Dexter Gordon

Blossom Dearie (French version)

Count Basie

Bill Haley & His Comets