Nancy
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Jimmy Van Heusen |
| Lyricist | Phil Silvers |
| Year Written | 1942 |
| About Nancy | |
| In 1942, Van Heusen, along with Johnny Burke, was in Palm Springs working on the score for a film. The comedian Phil Silvers dropped by and suggested that they write a song for Van Heusen’s wife Bessie, whose birthday they would be celebrating soon. “Bessie, with the laughing face” was well-received and the pair would often sing it at birthday celebrations for other women. A bit later, at the birthday for Sinatra’s daughter Nancy, they sang the song again, this time using “Nancy, with the laughing face.” Sinatra was quite moved, thinking that the song had been written especially for him and his daughter and the songwriters let him think that. Frank Sinatra first recorded “Nancy” in 1944. | |
Lyrics
If I don’t see her each day, I miss her
Gee what a thrill, each time I kiss her
Believe me, I’ve got a case
On Nancy with the laughing face
She takes the winter and makes it summer
Summer could take some lessons from her
Picture a tomboy in lace
That’s Nancy with the laughing face
Have you ever heard mission bells ringing
Well, she’ll give you the very same glow
When she speaks you would think it was singing
Just hear her say hello
I swear to goodness, you can’t resist her
Sorry for you, she has no sister
No angel could replace
Nancy with the laughing face
Keep Betty Grable, Lamour and Turner
She makes my heart a charcoal burner
No angel could replace
My Nancy with the laughing face
Session / Album Information
1992
“Nancy” was recorded in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.
This recording released on:
- 1992: Columbia CD: CK 52965 — Perfectly Frank
- 1992: CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6565 — Perfectly Frank [Japan
- 2011: Disc #58 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK57) Perfectly Frank