My Old Flame

myoldflame
PROFILE
Composer Arthur Johnston
Lyricist Sam Coslow
Year Written 1934
About My Old Flame
“My Old Flame” was written for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. Mae West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it.

Lyrics

The music seemed to be so reminiscent
I knew I heard it somewhere before
I wracked my recollections as I listened
When suddenly I remembered once more

My old flame
I can’t even think of her name
But it’s funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame
My old flame

My old flame
My new lovers all seem so tame
For I haven’t met a gal
So magnificent, my only pal
As my old flame

I’ve met so many who
have fascinating ways
A fascinating gaze in their eyes
Some who took me up to the skies
But their attempts at love
Were only imitations of
My old flame
I can’t even think of her name
But I’ll never be the same
Until I discover what became
Of my old flame

Session / Album Information

1996

“My Old Flame” was recorded in June 1996 and released in 1997 on the album Tony Bennett On Holiday. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

My Old Flame

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

This recording released on:

  • 1997: Columbia CD: CK 67774 — On Holiday
  • 2011: Disc #63 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK61) On Holiday

Ill Wind (You’re Blowing Me No Good)

IllWind
PROFILE
Composer Harold Arlen
Lyricist Ted Koehler
Year Written 1934
About Ill Wind
“Ill Wind” was written in 1934 for Arlen’s and Koehler’s last show at the Cotton Club, where it was sung by Adelaide Hall. This song has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Audra McDonald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Frank Sinatra.

Lyrics

Blow,
Ill wind blow away
Let me rest today
You’re blowing me no good
No good

Go
Ill wind go away
Skies are oh so gray
Around my neighborhood
And that’s no good

You’re only misleading
The sunshine I’m needing
Ain’t that a shame
It’s so hard to keep up
With troubles that creep up
From out of nowhere
When love’s to blame

So
Ill wind blow away
Let me rest today
You’re blowing me no good
No good
No good

You’re only misleading
The sunshine I’m needing
Ain’t that a shame
It’s so hard to keep up
With troubles that creep up
From out of nowhere
When love’s to blame

So
Ill wind go away
Let me rest today
You’re blowing me no good
No good

Ill wind

Session / Album Information

1996

“Ill Wind” was recorded in June 1996 and released in 1997 on the album Tony Bennett On Holiday. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Ill Wind (You"re Blowin" Me No Good)

Listen to Ill Wind (You"re Blowin" Me No Good) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1997

This recording released on:

  • 1997: Columbia CD: CK 67774 — On Holiday
  • 2011: Disc #63 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK61) On Holiday

I Won’t Dance

I-Wont-Dance
PROFILE
Composer Jerome Kern
Lyricists (1934) Oscar Hammerstein, Otto Harbach
Lyricists (1935) Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields
Year Written 1934
About I Won’t Dance
“I Won’t Dance” was originally written in 1934 for a London musical called Three Sisters, though the show was a flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with the new Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields lyrics.

Lyrics

I won’t dance, don’t ask me
I won’t dance, don’t ask me
I won’t dance, Madame, with you
My heart won’t let my feet do things that they should do

You know what?, you’re lovely
You know what?, you’re so lovely
And, oh, what you do to me
I’m like an ocean wave that’s bumped on the shore
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor

When you dance, you’re charming and you’re gentle
‘specially when you do the Continental
But this feeling isn’t purely mental
For, heaven rest us, I am not asbestos

And that’s why
I won’t dance, why should I?
I won’t dance, how could I?
I won’t dance, merci beaucoup
I know that music leads the way to romance,
So if I hold you in arms I won’t dance

I won’t dance, don’t ask me,
I won’t dance, don’t ask me
I won’t dance, Madame, with you
My heart won’t let me feet do things that they want to do

You know what?, you’re lovely,
Ring-a-ding-ding, you’re lovely
And, oh, what you do to me
I’m like an ocean wave that’s bumped on the shore
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor

When you dance, you’re charming and you’re gentle
‘specially when you do the Continental
But this feeling isn’t purely mental
For, heaven rest us, I am not asbestos

and that’s why
I won’t dance, I won’t dance
I won’t dance, merci beaucoup
I know that music leads the way to romance
So if I hold you in arms I won’t dance!!

Session / Album Information

2014

“I Won’t Dance” was recorded in 2014 with Lady Gaga and released that year on Cheek To Cheek. It was arranged by Marion Evans.

I Won"t Dance

Listen to I Won"t Dance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014

This recording released on:

  • 2014: Columbia/RPM/Streamline/Intercept Records: B0021493-02 – Cheek To Cheek (standard edition)
  • 2014: Columbia/RPM/Streamline/Intercept Records: B0021494-02 – Cheek To Cheek (deluxe edition)
  • 2014: Columbia/RPM/Streamline/Intercept Records: B0021861-03 – Cheek To Cheek (Target edition)
  • 2014: Columbia/RPM/Streamline/Intercept Records: B0021688-02 – Cheek To Cheek (HSN edition)
  • 2014: Columbia/RPM/Streamline/Intercept Records: Cheek To Cheek (iTunes edition)

2015

“All The Things You Are” was recorded by Tony Bennett in 2015 and was released on The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. It was arranged by Bill Charlap.

https://open.spotify.com/track/2qnHT4Bx9ACIDZ8U0dLbGX?si=bk4lF2quQmOMsEtRFA5p6Q

2015: Columbia/RPM CD: 8875 45742 — The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern

I Only Have Eyes For You

I Only Have Eyes For You
PROFILE
Composer Harry Warren
Lyricist Al Dubin
Year Written 1934
About I Only Have Eyes For You
“I Only Have Eyes For You” was written for the 1934 movie Dames, where it was introduced by Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. It has been steadily recorded since 1934 by many singers including Billie Holiday, Bette Midler, Dinah Shore and Ella Fitzgerald. It’s also been recorded by The Flamingos and even Art Garfunkel. This very lovely song seems to speak to listeners from all generations.

Lyrics

Are the stars out tonight?
I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright
‘Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
The moon may be high
But I can’t see a thing in the sky
‘Cause I only have eyes for you.

I don’t know if we’re in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you

Session / Album Information

1957

This song was recorded on October  25, 1957, but was not released on the album The Beat of My Heart. It was included on the 1997 re-release on CD (Columbia CD: CK 66502). It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

I Only Have Eyes For You

Listen to I Only Have Eyes For You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957

This recording  released on:

  • 1994: Columbia House Music Collection CD: 28387 — The Great American Composers: Harry Warren
  • 1997: Columbia CD: CK 66502 — The Beat Of My Heart
  • 2011: Disc #11 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK11) The Beat of My Heart

1967

“I Only Have Eyes For You” was recorded on December 21, 1967 and released that year on the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. It was arranged by Torrie Zito.

I Only Have Eyes For You

Listen to I Only Have Eyes For You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1968

This recording released on:

  • 1968: Columbia LP 12″: CS 9678 — Yesterday I Heard The Rain
  • 1968: CBS LP 12″: 63351 — Yesterday I Heard The Rain [UK]
  • 1969: Columbia LP 12″: CS 9891 — Love Story: 20 All-Time Great Recordings
  • 1971: CBS LP 12″: 66297 — Love Songs (UK)
  • 2011: Disc #36 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK35) Yesterday I Heard The Rain

I Get a Kick Out Of You

Cole Porter

Cole Porter

PROFILE
Composer and Lyricist Cole Porter
Year Written 1934
About I Get a Kick Out of You
“I Get a Kick Out of You” was written for Porter’s 1934 musical Anything Goes, where it was introduced by Ethel Merman. It’s been popular since then and has been recorded by artists including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Anita O’Day, Max Roach and many more. The original lyrics reference the use of cocaine (I get no kick from cocaine), and that particular line in the lyric is often rewritten, often to champagne.

Lyrics

My story is much too sad to be told,
But practically everything leaves me totally cold.
The only exception I know is the case
When I’m out on a swinging spree,
Fighting vainly the old ennui,
And I suddenly turn and see your fabulous face.

I get no kick from champagne.
Mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all.
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you?

Some like a bop-type refrain.
I’m sure that if I even one riff
It would bore me terrifically, too.
Yet I get a kick out of you.

I get a kick every time I see
You standing there before me.
I get a kick though it’s clear to see
You obviously don’t adore me.

I get no kick in a plane.
Flying too high with some gal in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do.
Yet I get a kick out of you.

Session / Album Information

1957

I Get a Kick Out of You was recorded on October 14, 1957, but was not released on the album The Beat of My Heart. It was included on the 1997 re-release on CD (Columbia CD: CK 66502). It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

I Get a Kick out of You

Listen to I Get a Kick out of You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957

This recording  released on:

  • 1991:  Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
  • 1993:  CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6641 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
  • 1997: Columbia CD: CK 66502 — The Beat Of My Heart
  • 2004:  Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
  • 2005:  Columbia CD: 94299 — Jazz Moods: Cool
  • 2011:  Disc #11 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK11) The Beat of My Heart

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