Lullaby of the Leaves

By Bernice Petkere & Joe Young
1932

Featured in the very short-lived Broadway revue Chamberlain Brown's Scrap Book, this aching ballad was introduced on stage by Ina Hayward, but later became a jazz favorite after Freddie Berrens and his orchestra brought the song to radio. Although the show it came from may have been a flop, the song lives on as a rare treat to be discovered by fans of the Great American Songbook.

Lyrics:

Rustling of the leaves used to be my lullaby,
In the sunny south when I was a tot so high,
And now that I have grown
And myself alone.

Cradle me where southern skies can watch me with a million eyes,
Oh sing me to sleep,
Lullaby of the leaves

Cover me with heavens blue and let me dream a dream or two,
Oh sing me to sleep,
Lullaby of the leaves.

Im breezing along, along with the breeze,
Im hearing a song, a song thru the trees,
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh.
That pine melody caressing the shore familiar to me, Ive heard it
before ooh ooh ooh ooh.

Thats southland, dont I feel it in my soul,
And dont I know Ive reached my goal,
Oh sing me to sleep,
Lullaby of the Leaves.

Recorded By:

Keely Smith
Chet Baker
Ella Fitzgerald
Benny Goodman
Anita O'Day

I'm Sitting on Top of the World

By Ray Henderson, Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young
1925

An anthem of the Roaring '20s, this infectious number was also one of the signature tunes of that musical giant of the Jazz Age, Al Jolson. It has since come to represent the heights of the pre-Depression 1920s, and was ironically used to that effect in the opening of Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong, set after the stock market crash. It can also be heard over the closing credits of the 1995 Richard III starring Ian McKellen.

Lyrics:

I'm sitting on top of the world,
Just rolling along
Just rolling along.

I'm quitting the blues of the world
Just singing a song
Just singing a song.

Glory hallelujah, I just phoned the parson
Hey, pa, get ready to call
Just like humpty dumpty,
I'm going to fall.

I'm sitting on top of the world
Just rolling along
Just rolling along.

Some people have diamonds
And beautiful pearls
While others have children
Just kiddies with curls.

Keep all of your fortunes
Keep all of your fame
I just found a sweetie
Who's changing her name.

I'm sitting on top of the world
just rolling along
just rolling along.

Don't want any millions
I'm getting my share
I've only got one suit (one suit)
That's all I can wear
A bundle of money won't make you feel gay
A sweet little honey is making me say.

I'm sitting on top of the world
just rolling along
just rolling along.

Recorded By:

Art Gillham
Les Paul & Mary Ford
Dean Martin
Dizzy Gillespie
Doris Day

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter

By Fred E. Ahlert & Joe Young
1935

Fats Waller introduced this mirthful-yet-sad ode to self-pity with a big hit record in 1935. It became instantly popular, with a Boswell Sister recording following hard upon. The song also enjoyed a revival in the late 1950s, including a rock 'n' roll update by Bill Haley & His Comets.

Lyrics:

I'm gonna sit right down
And write myself a letter,
And make believe it came from you.
I'm gonna write words oh, so sweet.
They're gonna knock me off of my feet.
A lot of kisses on the bottom,
I'll be glad I got 'em.

I'm gonna smile and say,
"I hope you're feeling better,"
And close with love, the way that you do.
I'm gonna sit right down
And write myself a letter,
And make believe it came from you.

Recorded By:

Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra & Count Basie
Scatman Crothers
Dean Martin
Bing Crosby