Once There Lived a Fool

Jessie Mae Robinson

Jessie Mae Robinson

PROFILE
Songwriter Jessie Mae Robinson
Year Written 1950
About Once There Lived a Fool
“Once There Lived a Fool” was written by Jessie Mae Robinson, who was the first female African-American member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers). Tony Bennett was one of the first artists to record this song, as was Anita O’Day.

Lyrics

Once there lived a fool,
Many moons ago.
She was such a fool,
Ask me, I should know!

I still remember the way he would cry
Each time you said goodbye;
And walked in the rain,
Almost insane,
But please don’t ask me why!

Once there lived a fool,
But, as wise men say,
Even fools in love,
They wake up one day!

There’s no more sadness,
no tears in his eyes,
I’m so glad he’s free.
Once there lived a fool,
And that fool was me!

Once there lived a fool,
That fool was me!
That fool was me!

Session / Album Information

1950

“Once There Lived A Fool” was recorded on December 6, 1950 and released in 1951. The song was arranged by Marty Manning.

Once There Lived A Fool

Listen to Once There Lived A Fool on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

This recording released on:

  • 1951:  Columbia 78: 39187
  • 1951: Columbia 45: 4-39187
  • 1952: Columbia LP 10″: CL 6221 — Because Of You
  • 2000: Blue Jackel CD: 8427328030137 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits
  • 2001: Blue Moon CD: BMCD 8001 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits [Spain]
  • 2004: Solo CD: 1214 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits
  • 2004: Blue Moon CD: BMCD 3013 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits [Spain]
  • 2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
  • 2011: Disc #3 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK3) The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1

London By Night

londonbynight
PROFILE
Songwriter Carroll Coates
Year Written 1950
About London by Night
Composer Carroll Coates was born in Old Bridge, England in 1929. He was an active songwriter from the 1940s for jazz and popular music as well as film music. Hie films include “Sunday in New York” and “Let’s Make Love.” He was associated with Sarah Vaughan. After her death in 1990, he composed a song in tribute her, “Sarah,” and organized a tribute concert for her in 1991.

Lyrics

London by night is a wonderful sight
There is magic abroad in the air
I’m often told that the streets turn into gold
When the moon shines on Circus and Square

Deep in the dark that envelops the park
There’s romance in each cigarette glow
Down by the Thames, lights that sparkle like gems
Seem to wink at each girl and her beau

Up comes the moon when the city’s asleep
He’s not alone, for it seems somewhere up there
Stands an angel to keep her watch
While each Londoner dreams

My love and I saw the sun leave the sky
Then we kissed in the fast-fading light
Most people say they love London by day
But lovers love London by night

Session / Album Information

1971

“London By Night” was recorded on September 11, 1972 and released that year on the album The Good Things In Life. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

This recording released on:

  • 1972: MGM LP 12″: MV-5088 — The Good Things In Life
  • 1972: Verve LP 12″: V6 5088 — The Good Things In Life
  • 1972: Philips LP 12″: 6641297 — Spotlight On Tony Bennett (UK)
  • 1973: Verve LP 12″: SE 4929 — Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits No. 7
  • 1991: Curb CD: D2-77447 — The Best Of Tony Bennett
  • 2011: Disc #45 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK44) The Good Things In Life
  • 2011: Disc #47 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK46) Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Volume 7

Invitation

Invitation_(1952)
PROFILE
Composer Bronislaw Kaper
Lyricist Paul Francis Webster
Year Written 1950
About Invitation
This song is from the movie of the same name, released in 1952. However, Kaper’s music was originally used two years earlier in an MGM film called A Life of Her Own. As theme song for Invitation, the song became a jazz standard and has been recorded both as a vocal and as an instrumental. Significant recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Freddy Cole, and John Coltrane, in addition to Tony Bennett’s 1971 recording.

Lyrics

You and your smile hold strange invitation
Somehow it seems we’ve shared our dreams, but where?
Time after time in a room full of strangers out of the blue
Suddenly you are there

Wherever I go, you’re the glow of temptation
Glancing my way in the grey of the dawn
And always your eyes smile at strange invitation
Then you are gone
Where oh where have you gone?

How long must I stay in a world of illusion
Be where are you,so near so far apart
Hoping you’ll say with a warm invitation
Where have you been, darling come into my heart.

Session / Album Information

1971

“Invitation” was recorded on September 11, 1972 and released that year on the album The Good Things In Life. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

This recording released on:

  • 1972: MGM LP 12″: MV-5088 — The Good Things In Life
  • 1972: Verve LP 12″: V6 5088 — The Good Things In Life
  • 1972: Philips LP 12″: 6641297 — Spotlight On Tony Bennett (UK)   (1972)
  • 2011: Disc #45 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK44) The Good Things In Life

From This Moment On

FromThisMomentOn
PROFILE
Composer and Lyricist Cole Porter
Year Written 1950
About From This Moment On
Cole Porter originally wrote this song for his musical Out Of This World, but it was dropped from the Anne Miller and was the basis for a fantastic dance choreographed (and danced) by a young Bob Fosse. The song was used in the 1999 Broadway stage revival of Kiss Me Kate. Doris Day recorded this song as a single in 1950; the Frank Sinatra 1957 recording for his A Swingin’ Affair! was instrumental in the popularity of this song. It has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Susannah McCorkle.

Lyrics

From this moment on,
You for me dear,
Only two for tea dear,
From this moment on,

From this happy day,
No more blue songs,
Only hoop-de-doo songs,
From this moment on

You’ve got the love I need so much
Got the skin I love to touch
Got the arms to hold me tight
Got the sweet lips to kiss me goodnight

From this moment on
You and I babe
We’ll be ridin’ high babe
Every care is gone
From this moment on.

You’ve got the love I need so much
Got the skin I love to touch
Got the arms to hold me tight
Got the sweet lips to kiss me goodnight

From this moment on
You and I babe
We’ll be ridin’ high babe
Every care is gone
From this moment,
From this moment,
This very moment,
This moment on.

Session / Album Information

1958

“From This Moment On” was recorded on November 28, 1958 live at the Latin Casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was only released in 2011 on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, as part of the Tony Bennett Complete Collection Box Set.

From This Moment On

No Description

This recording released on:

  • 2011: Disc #1 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK1) Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1

1964

“From This Moment On” was recorded on April 8, 1964 and released in 2011 on Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On, as part of the 2011 Complete Collection. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

From This Moment On - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964

Listen to From This Moment On - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

This recording released on:

  • 2011: Disc #74 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK72) Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On

End Of A Love Affair

endofaloveaffair
PROFILE
Composer and Lyricist Edward C. Redding
Year Written 1950
About the End of a Love Affair
The somber tune of love and loss soon became a jazz standard. Significant early recordings included those by Billie Holiday, Johnny Hartman and Dexter Gordon.

Lyrics

So I walk a little too fast, and I drive a little too fast,
And I’m reckless its true, but what else can you do
At the end of a love affair?

So I talk a little too much, and I laugh a little too much,
And my voice is too loud when I’m out in a crowd,
So that people are apt to stare.

Do they know, do they care, that it’s only that I’m lonely,
And low as can be?
And the smile on my face isn’t really a smile at at all!

So I smoke a little too much, and I drink a little too much,
And the tunes I request are not always the best,
But the ones where the trumpets blare!

So I go at a maddening pace,
And I pretend that its taking your place
But what else can you do, at the end of a love affair?

Session / Album Information

1971

“End of a Love Affair” was recorded on September 11, 1972 and released that year on the album The Good Things In Life. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

This recording released on:

  • 1972: MGM LP 12″: MV-5088 — The Good Things In Life
  • 1972: Verve LP 12″: V6 5088 — The Good Things In Life
  • 1972: Philips LP 12″: 6641297 — Spotlight On Tony Bennett (UK)
  • 2011: Disc #45 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK44) The Good Things In Life

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