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

What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry?

By Walter Donaldson & Abe Lyman
1926

Popular 1920s bandleader Lyman (pictured) wrote the lyrics to this tune by vastly underrated songwriter Donaldson, and introduced the song with his orchestra. It became one of the most popular songs of the decade, and an emblem of the Jazz Age. It was featured to great effect in the 1971 horror comedy The Abominable Dr. Phibes, which includes a plethora of great '20s songs.

Lyrics:

What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you that I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you.
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do.

I was all wrong, but right or wrong I don't blame you.
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you?
I know that I made you cry and I'm so sorry dear,
So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Josephine Baker
King Cole Trio
Carmen McRae
Keely Smith

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

My Blue Heaven

By Walter Donaldson & George Whiting
1927

A huge hit for crooner Gene Austin, who introduced it in 1928 and enjoyed 13 weeks at the top of the charts with it. The recording, in fact, went platinum five times over! And 30 years later, R&B sensation Fats Domino would reintroduce the tune to the rock 'n' roll generation. Domino's version is so closely identified with the song today that many don't even realize it predates him significantly.

Lyrics:

When whippoorwills call, and evenin' is nigh,
I hurry to my blue heaven.
Turn to the right, there's a little bright light,
Will lead you to my blue heaven.

You'll see a smilin' face, a fireplace, a cozy room,
A little nest that nestles where the roses bloom.

Just Molly and me, and the baby makes three.
We're happy in my blue heaven.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra
Leon Redbone
The Smashing Pumpkins (below)
Al Jolson
The Ink Spots

You're Driving Me Crazy

By Walter Donaldson
1930

A huge hit for Donaldson, this infectious tune was composed for the production Smiles, and first recorded by Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, who had a big hit with it. But modern audiences probably know it best from Betty Boop's flirty rendition in the 1931 Fleischer cartoon Silly Scandals.

Lyrics:

You left me sad and lonely;
Why did you leave me lonely?
For here's a heart that's only
For nobody but you!
I'm burning like a flame, dear;
Oh, I'll never be the same, dear;
I'll always place the blame, dear,
On nobody but you.

Yes, you,
You're driving me crazy!
What did I do? What did I do?

My tears for you
Make everything hazy,
Clouding the skies of blue.

How true,
Were the friends who were near me to cheer me,
Believe me, they knew!
But you,
Were the kind who would hurt me, desert me,
When I needed you!

Yes, you!
You're driving me crazy!
What did I do to you?

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Buddy Greco
Frank Sinatra
Rudy Vallee
The Squirrel Nut Zippers

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

Little White Lies

By Walter Donaldson
1930

One of the great composer's solo gems, "Little White Lies" was first recorded by Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians, with vocals by Clare Hanlon. However, it would take another 18 years before Dick Haymes finally made a hit out of it--taking it all the way to #3 on the charts.

Lyrics:

The moon was all aglow,
And heaven was in your eyes,
The night that you told me
Those little white lies.

The stars all seemed to know
That you didn't mean those sighs,
The night that you told me
Those little white lies.

I try, but there's no forgetting
When evening appears.
I sigh, but there's no regretting,
In spite of my tears.

The devil was in your heart,
But heaven was in your eyes,
The night you told me
Those little white lies.

Recorded By:

Dinah Shore
Stacey Kent
Eartha Kitt
Kay Starr
Mel Torme

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