Yes Sir, That's My Baby

By Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn
1925

An infectious tune that originated in the Roaring '20s, legend has it that the song was inspired by a visit composers Donaldson and Kahn made to the home of the immensely popular entertainer Eddie Cantor. When Cantor's daughter introduced her favorite wind-up toy, which produced a beguiling two-note melody, this led the two men to write the song based around those two notes. It was an instant hit, introduced by Ace Brigode, and has remained beloved ever since.

Lyrics:

Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now

Yes, ma'm, we've decided
No ma'm, we won't hide it
Yes, ma'm, you're invited now

By the way, by the way
When we meet the preacher I'll say

Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now


Recorded By:


Frank Sinatra
Ricky Nelson
Eddie Cantor
Lee Morse
Gene Austin

I'll See You in My Dreams

By Isham Jones & Gus Khan
1924

A huge hit of the mid 1920s, this beautiful love ballad has since become a standard, particularly for the guitar. This is usually credited to its later recording by the legendary Django Reinhardt. It's title was used as the title of the biopic on Kahn's life. The song was introduced by Jones (pictured) and the Ray Miller Orchestra. It is a classic example of the sentimental yet deeply endearing tunes of the era.

Lyrics:

I'll see you in my dreams
And I'll hold you in my dreams
Someone took you right out of my arms
Still I feel the thrill of your charms

Lips that once were mine
Tender eyes that shine
They will light my way tonight
I'll see you in my dreams

Oh, someone took you right out of my arms
Still I feel the thrill of your charms

Lips that once were mine
Tender eyes that shine
They will light my way tonight
I'll see you in my dreams

Recorded By:

Louis Armstrong
Jimmy Durante
Ella Fitzgerald
Mario Lanza
Tony Martin

Pretty Baby

By Tony Jackson, Gus Kahn & Egbert Van Alstyne
1916

A gem of a tune from the height of the ragtime era, this song originated in Jackson's stage repertoire as early as 1912. It was rumored to have actually been written as a tribute to a male lover, certainly a rarity for a pop song of the time. Later, when the song was published, Tin Pan Alley stalwarts Kahn and Van Alstyne made some alterations, including a bridge and less risque lyrics. Among American standards, it is one of those most strongly associated with the World War I/Ragtime years...

Lyrics:

You ask me why I'm always teasing you,
You hate to have me call you Pretty Baby;
I really thought that I was pleasing you,
For you're just a baby to me.
Your cunning little dimples and your baby stare,
Your baby talk and baby walk and curly hair;
Your baby smile makes life worth while,
You're just as sweet as you can be.

Your mother says you were the cutest kid;
No wonder, dearie, that I'm wild about you,
And all the cunning things you said and did.
Why, I love to fondly recall,
Ann just like Peter Pan, it seems you'll always be
The same sweet, cunning, Little Baby dear to me.
And that is why I'm sure that I will always love you best of all.

Everybody loves a baby that's why I'm in love with you,
Pretty Baby, Pretty Baby;
And I'd to be your sister, brother, dad and mother too,
Pretty Baby, Pretty Baby.
Won't you come and let me rock you in my cradle of love,
And we'll cuddle all the time.
Oh! I want a Lovin' Baby and it might as well be you,
Pretty Baby of mine.

Recorded By:

Al Jolson
Leon Redbone
Dean Martin
Bing Crosby
Billy Murray

I've Had My Moments

By Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn
1934

A charming song that originated in a charming musical film, The Girl from Missouri starring Jean Harlow and Franchot Tone. Donaldson and Kahn composed a couple songs for the film, and this melodic beauty was introduced by leading man Tone. Other songs were contributed by the likes of Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields, Arthur Schwartz & Howard Dietz, and Victor Young & Ned Washington.

Lyrics:

I've had my moments, I will confess,
My fleeting moments of tenderness,
I sang of true love, I've played guitars,
Then found a new love 'neath tropical stars.

This time's the last time, this time it's new,
Love as a pastime for me is through,
I've had my moments, my big bad moments,
But now my one big moment is you.

I sang of true love, and I've played guitars,
Then found a new love 'neath tropical stars.

This time's the last time, this time it's new,
Love as a pastime for me is through,
I've had my moments, my big bad moments,
But now my one big moment is you.

Recorded By:

Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli
Frank Sinatra
Peggy Lee
Al Bowlly
Melissa Collard

I'm Thru with Love

By Joseph A. Livingston, Matt Malneck & Gus Kahn
1931

An aching composition that epitomizes those all-too-familiar feelings of heartbreak and jilted love. A major hit song of 1931, it was recorded by a vast number of artists that year, including Paul Whiteman's orchestra, Al Bowlly, Don Voorhees' orchestra, Al Lack's City Radiolians, and most notably Bing Crosby. It remains a timeless, poignant classic, made even more popular by Marilyn Monroe's famous rendition in Some Like It Hot.

Lyrics:

I have given you my true love,
But you love a new love.
What am I supposed to do now
With you now, you're through?
You'll be on your merry way
And there's only this to say:

I'm through with love
I'll never fall again.
Said adieu to love
Don't ever call again.
For I must have you or no one
And so I'm through with love.

I've locked my heart
I'll keep my feelings there.
I have stocked my heart
with icy, frigid air.
And I mean to care for no one
Because I'm through with love.

Why did you lead me
to think you could care?
You didn't need me
for you had your share
of slaves around you
to hound you and swear
with deep emotion and devotion to you.

Goodbye to spring and all it meant to me
It can never bring the thing that used to be.
For I must have you or no one
And so I'm through with love.

Recorded By:

Lena Horne
Joe Williams
Jane Monheit
Ella Fitzgerald
Diana Krall

Dream a Little Dream of Me

By Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt & Gus Kahn
1931

Although written as a ballad, it was introduced in up-tempo fashion by the Wayne King orchestra, and remained so until Doris Day's 1957 rendition. Since then, it has usually been recorded with a slow tempo, including the version best known to modern listeners, the 1968 recording by Mama Cass Elliot of The Mamas & The Papas. That single went platinum, in fact.

Lyrics:

Stars shining bright above you,
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you".
Birds singing in the sycamore trees--
Dream a little dream of me.

Say nighty-night and kiss me,
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me.
While I'm alone and blue as can be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Stars fading, but I linger on dear,
Still craving your kiss.
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear,
Just saying this:

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you,
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you.
But in your dreams whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Recorded By:

Louis Armstrong
Frankie Laine
Ella Fitzgerald
Nat King Cole Trio
Dinah Shore

It Had to Be You

By Isham Jones & Gus Kahn
1924

This beloved standard was an instant favorite--in fact, it was recorded six times within its first sixth months of publication, the first of which was Sam Lanin's version. Jones himself would record it a month later. It has been featured in numerous films, including Jimmy Cagney's The Roaring Twenties (1939), Casablanca (1942), Annie Hall (1977) and A League of Their Own (1992).

Lyrics:

Why do I do just as you say?
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh? Why don't I try to forget?
It must have been that something lovers call fate,
Kept me saying: "I have to wait."
I saw them all, just couldn't fall 'til we met.

It had to be you,
It had to be you.
I wandered around, and finally found
The somebody who
Could make me be true,
And could make me be blue,
And even be glad, just to be sad
Thinking of you.

Some others I've seen,
Might never be mean,
Might never be cross,
Or try to be boss,
But they wouldn't do.

For nobody else gave me a thrill,
With all your faults,
I love you still.
It had to be you, wonderful you,
It had to be you.

Recorded By:

Paul Whiteman
Dick Haymes & Helen Forrest
Doris Day
Petula Clark
Ray Charles

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

I'll Never Be the Same

By Matt Malneck, Frank Signorelli & Gus Kahn

1932

While still members of Paul Whiteman's successful orchestra, Malneck & Signorelli composed this tune as "Little Buttercup", but Kahn soon added a somewhat depressing lyric that contrasted interestingly with the melody's major key. Mildred Bailey (pictured) introduced the song in its complete form.

Lyrics:

I'll never be the same,

Life has lost its meaning for me.

I'll never be the same,

Nothing's what it once used to be.

And when the songbirds that sing

Tell me it's spring,

I don't believe their song.

Once love was king,

But kings can be wrong.

I'll never be the same,

There is such an ache in my heart.

I'll never be the same,

Since we're apart.

Though there's a lot that a smile can hide,

I know down deep inside,

I'll never be the same,

Never be the same again.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday

Diana Krall

Frank Sinatra

Ruth Etting

Artie Shaw

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