Body and Soul

1930_body-and-soul_sheet_1
PROFILE
Composer Johnny Green
Lyricists Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton
Year Written 1930
About Body and Soul
Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that Body and Soul “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.” Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

Lyrics

My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you, dear, only
Why haven’t you seen it?
I’m all for you, body and soul

I spend my days in longin’
And wond’ring why it’s me you’re wrongin’
I tell you, I mean it
I’m all for you, body and soul

I can’t believe it, it’s hard to conceive it
That you’d turn away romance
Are you pretending? It looks like the ending
Unless I could have one more chance to prove, dear

My life a wreck you’re making
You know I’m yours for just the taking
I’d gladly surrender
Myself to you, body and soul

My life a wreck you’re making
You know I’m yours for just the taking
I would gladly surrender
Myself to you, body and soul

Session / Album Information

1989

“Body and Soul” was recorded in May, 1989 and was released the following year on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

Body and Soul

Listen to Body and Soul on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1990.

This recording released on:

  • 1990: Columbia CD: CK 45348 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist
  • 1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5057 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist [Japan]
  • 1990: CBS LP 12″: 4660051 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist [UK]
  • 2011: Disc #57 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK56) Astoria: Portrait of the Artist
  • 2013: Sony Music Entertainment: 98381 — Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist

1994

“Body and Soul” was recorded and televised live on April 12, 1994 on MTV. The MTV Unplugged album was released in June of that year. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

Body and Soul - Live Version

Listen to Body and Soul - Live Version on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1994.

This recording released on:

  • 1993: Columbia CD: CK 66214 — MTV Unplugged
  • 2011: Discs #60/61 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK59) MTV Unplugged

2011

“Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse was recorded in 2011 and was released that year on Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Body and Soul

Listen to Body and Soul on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse · Song · 2011.

This recording released on:

  • 2011: RPM Sony 88697662532: Duets II
  • 2011: RPM Sony 88697961501: Duets II (LP)
  • 2011: Disc #71 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK69) Duets II
  • 2013: Columbia/Legacy – Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett

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