The Songs
Jazz standards are musical compositions that are widely known, performed and recorded by jazz artists as part of the genre’s musical repertoire. This list includes compositions written in the 1920s that are considered standards by at least one major fake book publication or reference work. Some of the tunes listed were already well-known standards by the 1930s, while others were popularized later. The time of the most influential recordings of a song, where appropriate, is indicated on the list.
The period from the end of the World War I until the start of the Great Depression in 1929 is known as the “Jazz Age“. Jazz had become popular music in the United States, although older generations considered the music immoral and threatening to old cultural values.[3] Dances such as the Charleston and the Black Bottom were very popular during the period, and jazz bands typically consisted of seven to twelve musicians. Important orchestras in New York were led by Fletcher Henderson, Paul Whiteman and Duke Ellington. Many New Orleans jazzmen had moved to Chicago during the late 1910s in search of employment; among others, the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band and Jelly Roll Morton recorded in the city. However, Chicago’s importance as a center of jazz music started to diminish toward the end of the 1920s in favor of New York.[4]
In the early years of jazz, record companies were often eager to decide what songs were to be recorded by their artists. Popular numbers in the 1920s were pop hits such as “Sweet Georgia Brown“, “Dinah” and “Bye Bye Blackbird“. The first jazz artist to be given some liberty in choosing his material was Louis Armstrong, whose band helped popularize many of the early standards in the 1920s and 1930s.[5]
Some compositions written by jazz artists have endured as standards, including Fats Waller‘s “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’“. The most recorded 1920s standard is Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish‘s “Stardust“.[6] Several songs written by Broadway composers in the 1920s have become standards, such as George and Ira Gershwin‘s “The Man I Love” (1924), Irving Berlin‘s “Blue Skies” (1927) and Cole Porter‘s “What Is This Thing Called Love?” (1929). However, it was not until the 1930s that musicians became comfortable with the harmonic and melodic sophistication of Broadway tunes and started including them regularly in their repertoire.[4]
1920–1923
- 1920 – “Avalon“[7][8] is a song written by Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva and Vincent Rose. Jolson introduced the song, taking it to number two on the charts in 1921,[9] and used it in the musicals Sinbad and Bombo.[10][11][12] The song was possibly written by Rose, but Jolson’s popularity as a performer allowed him to claim co-credit.[9] The opening melody was taken from Giacomo Puccini‘s aria E lucevan le stelle from the opera Tosca, and the composers were successfully sued by Puccini’s publishers in 1921 for $25,000 and all subsequent royalties.[9]
- 1920 – “Margie” is a song composed by Con Conrad and J. Russel Robinson with lyrics by Benny Davis. It was introduced by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and popularized by Eddie Cantor‘s 1921 recording.[13] The song was one of the first hits for both Conrad and Davis, and was later used in the films Margie (1946) and The Eddie Cantor Story (1954).[14] The name was inspired by Cantor’s five-year-old daughter.[13][14] The song is also known as “My Little Margie”.[13]
- 1921 – “The Sheik of Araby” is a song composed by Ted Snyder with lyrics by Harry B. Smith and Francis Wheeler. It was written in response to the popularity of the Rudolph Valentino film The Sheik.[15] The Club Royal Orchestra introduced the song on their first recording in 1921.[15] The two recordings of trombonist Jack Teagarden have been cited as a big influence for the song’s standard status.[15]
- 1922 – “Bugle Call Rag” is a ragtime song by Billy Meyers, Jack Pettis and Elmer Schoebel. It was first recorded by the Friar’s Society Orchestra (later the New Orleans Rhythm Kings) and popularized by Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller in the 1930s.[16][17] Duke Ellington based his 1939 composition “The Sergeant Was Shy” on the song.[18] The original recording of the song was titled “Bugle Call Blues”.[17]
- 1922 – “China Boy” is a song by Phil Boutelje and Dick Winfree. It was popularized by Paul Whiteman‘s 1929 recording featuring a solo by Bix Beiderbecke.[19] The 1927 recording by McKenzie and Condon’s Chicagoans defined the early sound of Chicago style jazz.[20] Benny Goodman’s 1935 recording revived interest in the song, and it was performed in Goodman’s Carnegie Hall concert in 1938.[19]
- 1922 – “Farewell Blues“[21] is a jazz composition by Paul Mares, Leon Roppolo and Elmer Schoebel of the Friar’s Society Orchestra. It was used as the band’s theme music,[22] and their performances at the Friar’s Inn influenced several younger white jazzmen, such as Bud Freeman and Jimmy McPartland.[23][24] Isham Jones and His Orchestra had a hit with the tune in 1923.[25]
- 1923 – “Charleston“[26] is a jazz orchestration for the Charleston dance, composed by James P. Johnson with lyrics by Cecil Mack. Introduced by Elisabeth Welch in the 1923 Broadway musical Runnin’ Wild,[27] its success brought the Charleston dance to international popularity.[28] Johnson’s original rhythmic accompaniment inspired several later songs, many of which used the word “Charleston” in the title.[27] The song was played in the 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life, with James Stewart and Donna Reed, at a dance scene.[29] It was also a featured production number in the 1950 film Tea for Two.[29]
- 1923 – “Tin Roof Blues” is a jazz composition by George Brunies, Paul Mares, Ben Pollack, Leon Roppolo and Mel Stitzel of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings.[30] The band first recorded the tune in 1923, and it became a major influence for later white jazz groups.[31] It is one of the early New Orleans jazz pieces most often played.[32] Credited to Rhythm Kings band members on the original record, the tune may have been based on Joe “King” Oliver‘s rendition of “Jazzin’ Babies Blues” by New Orleans pianist Richard M. Jones.[31] Jo Stafford‘s 1953 hit “Make Love to Me” used the tune’s music with added lyrics.[33]
1924–1925
- 1924 – “Everybody Loves My Baby” is a song composed by Spencer Williams with lyrics by Jack Palmer.[34] It was introduced by Clarence Williams and His Blue Five, with Louis Armstrong on trumpet.[35] Armstrong also recorded the song with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra later in 1924; the take marked Armstrong’s first vocal recording.[36] The song is also known as “Everybody Loves My Baby, but My Baby Don’t Love Nobody but Me”.[35]
- 1924 – “Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah)“[37] is a song composed by Milton Ager with lyrics by Charles Bates, Bob Bigelow and Jack Yellen. It was introduced by Frances Williams in the Broadway musical Innocent Eyes.[38] Hit recordings were made by Dolly Kay, Margaret Young and Herb Wiedoeft and His Orchestra.[39] Ella Fitzgerald sang it in the 1955 film Pete Kelly’s Blues.[39]
- 1924 – “How Come You Do Me Like You Do?“[40] is a song by vaudeville duo Gene Austin and Roy Bergere. It became popular in 1924 with the recordings of blues singers Rosa Henderson and Viola McCoy.[41] Marion Harris recorded a hit version in 1924.[42] The song enjoyed a revival in 1954 after Bill Krenz’s recording.[42]
- 1924 – “King Porter Stomp“[43] is a ragtime composition by Jelly Roll Morton, originally recorded as a piano solo. Lyrics were later added by Sonny Burke and Sid Robin. Morton claimed to have originally written the tune in 1902.[44] It was named after pianist Porter King, and there is a rumor that Morton consulted ragtime pianist Scott Joplin about the composition.[45] It became a hit when Benny Goodman and his orchestra recorded Fletcher Henderson’s arrangement of it in 1935.[44][46] The chord progression from the first strain has been used in numerous other jazz compositions and is commonly known as the Stomp progression.
- 1924 – “The Man I Love“[47] is a ballad composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Originally written for the Broadway musical Lady, Be Good (1924), and then meant to be included in Strike Up the Band (1927) and Rosalie (1928), the song was dropped from all three musicals before the show opened. Marion Harris‘s 1928 recording helped popularize the song, and it has become one of the most recorded jazz standards.[48]
- 1924 – “Oh, Lady Be Good!“[47][49] is a show tune from the musical Lady, Be Good, composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Introduced on stage by Walter Catlett, the song became later identified with Ella Fitzgerald after her 1947 recording containing a scat solo.[49] Lester Young‘s influential and much-imitated tenor saxophone solo on Count Basie‘s 1936 recording has been cited as a “crowning achievement”[50] and “the best solo [Young] ever recorded”.[51]
- 1924 – “Riverboat Shuffle“[52] is a jazz composition by Hoagy Carmichael. Introduced by Bix Beiderbecke and The Wolverines, it was Carmichael’s first published composition.[53] Publisher Irving Mills and The Wolverines pianist Dick Voynow were added to the credits on publication.[54] Mitchell Parish wrote lyrics for it in 1939.[54] Carmichael originally wanted to call the tune “Free Wheeling”, but band members disliked the name and renamed it.[55] Paul Whiteman recorded the tune in 1927 with Beiderbecke and Carmichael.[54]
- 1924 – “Somebody Loves Me“[8][56] is a show tune from George White’s Scandals of 1924, composed by George Gershwin and Emilia Renaud with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva. It was introduced by Winnie Lightner on stage, and Paul Whiteman’s 1924 recording was a number one hit. After the initial success as a popular song, the song became more often played by jazz artists. Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee recorded popular cross-over versions in the 1940s.[57]
- 1925 – “Dinah“[47][58] is a song composed by Harry Akst with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young. It was introduced by Eddie Cantor in the musical Kid Boots and popularized by Ethel Waters‘s 1925 version, played significantly slower than the original.[59] Bing Crosby‘s rendition with the Mills Brothers was a number one hit in 1932,[59] and it was sang by Crosby in the film The Big Broadcast.[60] Dinah Shore used it as her theme song, and took her stage name from the song title.[60][61]
- 1925 – “Squeeze Me“[62] is a jazz song composed by Fats Waller. The lyrics were credited to Clarence Williams, although Andy Razaf claims to have actually written the lyrics.[63] The song was based on an old blues tune called “The Boy in the Boat”.[63] It was introduced by Buster Bailey. Albert Brunies‘s Halfway House Orchestra recorded an important instrumental version in 1925, and later the same year Williams made a popular recording with Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins and vocalist Eva Taylor.[63] Bessie Smith recorded an influential blues version in 1926.[63]
- 1925 – “Sweet Georgia Brown“[47] is a jazz song composed by Maceo Pinkard with music by Kenneth Casey. Bandleader Ben Bernie popularized the song and was given co-credit for the lyrics, although it is unclear whether or not he participated in the writing.[64][65] Bernie’s recording with his Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra stayed at number one of the pop charts for five weeks.[66] The Harlem Globetrotters basketball team has been using Brother Bones and His Shadows’ version as their anthem since 1952.[67] Several later jazz tunes have been based on the song’s chord progression, such as Jackie McLean‘s “Donna”, Miles Davis‘s “Dig” and Thelonious Monk‘s “Bright Mississippi”.[66]
- 1925 – “Tea for Two“[47] is a show tune from the Broadway musical No, No, Nanette, composed by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Irving Caesar. The first hit recordings were by The Benson Orchestra of Chicago and Marion Harris in 1925.[68] Art Tatum famously played the song in a 1931 cutting contest with Fats Waller and James P. Johnson.[68] Tatum’s use of substitute chords on the tune had a lasting effect on jazz harmony, and his 1939 piano solo recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1986.[68][69] The song became one of the most popular songs of the 1920s, and continues to be performed often.[70][71][72] Caesar has said that the lyrics took him only five minutes to write.[73]
1926–1927
- 1926 – “Big Butter and Egg Man“[75] is a jazz song written by Percy Venable for Louis Armstrong and May Alix. It was first recorded by Armstrong’s Hot Five; the original 1926 recording contains one of Armstrong’s most highly regarded cornet solos.[76][77]
- 1926 – “Bye Bye Blackbird“[8][78][79] is a song composed by Ray Henderson with lyrics by Mort Dixon. It was first recorded by Gene Austin, whose rendition became a number one hit. Nick Lucas recorded a popular version the same year.[80] Among jazz performers, the tune only gained popularity after its inclusion on the soundtrack of the 1955 film Pete Kelly’s Blues and on Miles Davis‘s 1957 album ‘Round About Midnight.[80]
- 1926 – “‘Deed I Do“[81] is a song composed by Fred Rose with lyrics by Walter Hirsch.[82] It was introduced by vaudeville performer S. L. Stambaugh[83] and popularized by Ben Bernie’s recording.[84] It was influential clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman‘s debut recording, made with Ben Pollack and His Californians in 1926.[85] Ruth Etting‘s rendition of the song became a top ten hit in 1927.[86]
- 1926 – “If I Could Be with You (One Hour Tonight)” is a song composed by James P. Johnson with lyrics by Henry Creamer. It was introduced by Clarence Williams’ Blue Five with vocalist Eva Taylor.[87] McKinney’s Cotton Pickers popularized the song with their 1930 recording and used it as their theme song.[88] Louis Armstrong also recorded a popular version in 1930.[87]
- 1926 – “I’ve Found a New Baby“[8][89][90] is a song by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams. Also known as “I Found a New Baby”, it was introduced by Clarence Williams’ Blue Five. The Benny Goodman Orchestra’s 1940 version includes an influential guitar solo by Charlie Christian.[89] Charlie Parker recorded the tune several times, first in 1940 as part of the Jay McShann Orchestra. Parker’s interpretation was influenced by Lester Young, and the saxophonist even included quotations from Young in his later recordings.[91] The tune is particularly popular among Dixieland bands.[89]
- 1926 – “Muskrat Ramble“[92] is a jazz composition by Kid Ory. Lyrics were added in 1950 by Ray Gilbert.[93] First recorded by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five in 1926, it became the group’s most frequently recorded piece.[94] Composer credit was given to Ory, although bandleader Armstrong has claimed to have written the song himself.[94] Others, like New Orleans clarinetist Sidney Bechet, have argued that it was originally a Buddy Bolden tune titled “The Old Cow Died and the Old Man Cried”.[95] The tune was a prominent part of the Dixieland revival repertoire in the 1930s and 1940s.[94]
- 1926 – “Someone to Watch Over Me“[47] is a show tune from the Broadway musical Oh, Kay!, composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Gertrude Lawrence introduced the song on stage, singing it to a rag doll. Lawrence also made the first hit recording of the song in 1927. Lyricist Howard Dietz claims to have come up with the song’s name and helped with the lyrics, but received no official credit. The song’s jazz popularity was established in the mid-1940s by the recordings of Billy Butterfield, Eddie Condon, Coleman Hawkins and Ike Quebec.[96]
- 1926 – “Sugar“[97] is a song by Maceo Pinkard, Edna Alexander and Sidney D. Mitchell. It was first recorded by Ethel Waters in 1926[98][99] and popularized as a standard by Eddie Condon’s 1927 recording that featured first-timers Gene Krupa, Joe Sullivan and Frank Teschmaker.[97] The song is also known as “That Sugar Baby o’ Mine”,[97] and is not to be confused by another song named “Sugar” from 1927, written by Jack Yellen, Milton Ager, Frank Crum and Red Nichols.[100]
- 1927 – “Blue Skies“[8][101] is a show tune by Irving Berlin from the musical Betsy. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart had originally written a solo number for Belle Baker, titled “This Funny World”, but the star was unsatisfied with the song and asked Berlin to write a show-stopper for the musical.[102][103] Berlin responded with “Blue Skies”, and on the opening night the audience demanded 24 encores of Baker’s song.[103] A 1927 rendition by Ben Selvin and His Orchestra, recorded under the name “The Knickerbockers”, became a number one hit. Al Jolson performed the song in 1927 in the first ever feature-length sound film, The Jazz Singer.[103] Jazz renditions include Benny Goodman’s 1938 concert in Carnegie Hall and Tommy Dorsey‘s 1941 recording with young Frank Sinatra on vocals.[103]
- 1927 – “‘S Wonderful” is a show tune from the Broadway musical Funny Face, composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced on stage by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns.[104] The vocalist most associated with the song is Fred Astaire, who recorded it in 1952 accompanied by Oscar Peterson‘s band. Astaire also sang the song with Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 musical film Funny Face. Stan Getz‘s 1950 recording with Horace Silver revived the tune as a jazz standard.[104]
1928
- “An American in Paris“, by George Gershwin, is a classical jazz tone poem. The concert premiere of the piece on December 13, 1928 was by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Walter Damrosch. The radio premiere was by Nathaniel Shilkret on the La Touraine broadcast on January 30, 1929[105], and the first recording was by Shilkret conducting the Victor Symphony Orchestra on February 4, 1929[106]. The Shilkret recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997.
- “Basin Street Blues“[8][107][108] is a blues song written by Spencer Williams and introduced by Louis Armstrong. Trombonist and singer Jack Teagarden recorded the song several times, first in 1929 with the Louisiana Rhythm Kings. Teagarden’s 1931 recording with The Charleston Chasers, led by Benny Goodman, popularized the song. An additional verse was later added by Teagarden and Glenn Miller, who also claimed to have written the lyrics for the chorus.[109]
- “Crazy Rhythm“[47] is a show tune composed by Roger Wolfe Kahn and Joseph Meyer with lyrics by Irving Caesar. It was introduced in the Broadway musical Here’s Howe by Ben Bernie, who also made a successful vocal recording.[110] Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra recorded it the same year with vocalist Franklyn Baur. The song has inspired the names of several albums, jazz groups, organizations and nightclubs.[111]
- “Creole Love Call“[112][113] is a jazz composition by Duke Ellington, James “Bubber” Miley and Rudy Jackson.[114] It was based on the melody of “Camp Meeting Blues” by Joe “King” Oliver.[115] Ellington’s recording is known for the wordless vocal performance by Adelaide Hall.[114][116] The tune is also known as “Creole Love Song”.[112]
- “If I Had You” is a popular ballad by Irving King (a pseudonym for James Campbell and Reginald Connelly) and Ted Shapiro. It was popularized in Britain by Al Bowlly with Fred Elizalde and His Orchestra, and shortly thereafter by Rudy Vallée in the United States. It was marketed as “the favorite fox-trot of the Prince of Wales“. The first jazz recording was made in 1941 by Benny Goodman’s sextet. Art Blakey recorded a memorable ballad version with saxophonist Lou Donaldson in 1954.[117]
- “Lover, Come Back to Me“[118] is a show tune from the Broadway show The New Moon, composed by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Paul Whiteman, the Arden-Ohman Orchestra and Rudy Vallée all recorded hit versions in 1929 while the musical was running. Billie Holiday performed the song on several records, first in 1944.[119] Nat King Cole revived the song in 1953.[120] A part of the composition was based on Pyotr Tchaikovsky‘s Barcarolle.[119][120]
- “Mack The Knife” is a song from The Threepenny Opera, composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht. Originally called “Die Moritat von Mackie Messer” in German, the song was translated into English by Marc Blitzstein in 1954. The first jazz recording was made by Sidney Bechet in 1954 under the title “La Complainte de Mackie”. Louis Armstrong’s 1955 version established the song’s popularity in the jazz world.[121] It is also known as “The Ballad of Mack the Knife”.[121]
- “Nagasaki“[122] is a jazz song composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Mort Dixon. It was first recorded by Friar’s Society Orchestra.[123] The Ipana Troubadors made a hit recording in 1928.[124] The most famous jazz versions were recorded by Benny Goodman in 1936 and 1947.[124] Fletcher Henderson played it in 1934 in the Harlem Opera House as the “national anthem of Harlem”.[125]
- “Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise“[8][126] is a song from the Broadway show The New Moon, composed by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The first jazz recording was made by Artie Shaw in 1938.[127] The tune was a regular number in the Modern Jazz Quartet‘s repertoire; it was already considered a standard when the group recorded their first rendition in 1952.[128][129]
- “Sweet Lorraine“[130] is a song composed by Cliff Burwell with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. Teddy Wilson‘s version was the first to make the pop charts in 1935.[131] The song is closely associated with Nat King Cole, who recorded it in 1940 and several times afterwards.[131] According to a common story, Cole’s singing career started in 1938 when a drunk customer insisted on the pianist singing “Sweet Lorraine” during a show.[131][132]
1929
- “Ain’t Misbehavin’“[47][133][134] is a song from the musical revue Hot Chocolates, composed by Fats Waller and Harry Brooks with lyrics by Andy Razaf. Leo Reisman and His Orchestra was the first to take the song to the pop charts in 1929, followed by several artists including Bill Robinson, Gene Austin and Louis Armstrong. At the intermission of Hot Chocolates at the Hudson Theatre, Armstrong made his Broadway debut playing a trumpet solo on the song.[135] Waller’s original instrumental recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984.[69]
- “Black and Blue“[136][137] is a song from the musical Hot Chocolates, composed by Fats Waller with lyrics by Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf. It was introduced by Louis Armstrong. Ethel Waters’s 1930 version became a hit.[138] The song is also known as “What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue”.[138]
- “Honeysuckle Rose“[8][47][139][140] is a song from the musical revue Load of Coal, composed by Fats Waller with lyrics by Andy Razaf. It was popularized by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra in 1933.[141] Waller’s 1934 recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.[69] Benny Goodman’s Orchestra played a 16-minute jam session on the tune in their 1938 Carnegie Hall concert, featuring members from the bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Charlie Parker used a part of the song’s harmony in “Scrapple from the Apple” (1947).[141]
- “Just You, Just Me“[142] is a song from the film Marianne, composed by Jesse Greer with lyrics by Raymond Klages. It was introduced by Marion Davies and Cliff Edwards. Lester Young recorded the tune several times. Thelonious Monk‘s 1948 composition “Evidence” was loosely based on it.[143]
- “Liza (All the Clouds’ll Roll Away)” is a show tune from the Broadway musical Show Girl, composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Gus Kahn. It was introduced on stage by Ruby Keeler and Dixie Dugan, accompanied by the Duke Ellington Orchestra.[144][145] Keeler’s husband and popular singer Al Jolson appeared at the opening performance and sang a chorus of the song from the third row, creating a sensation and popularizing the song.[144]
- “Mean to Me“[146][147] is a song composed by Fred E. Ahlert with lyrics by Roy Turk. It was first recorded by Ruth Etting. The song was a regular number in Billie Holiday’s repertoire, and Holiday’s 1937 recording with saxophonist Lester Young is considered the definitive vocal version. Young later made an instrumental recording with Nat King Cole and Buddy Rich.[148]
- “More Than You Know“[8][149] is a Broadway show tune composed by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Edward Eliscu and Billy Rose. Introduced by Mayo Methot in Great Day, the song became a hit even though the musical only lasted for 29 performances. Ruth Etting took it to number nine in 1930, and saxophonist Benny Carter played an acclaimed trumpet solo on his 1939 recording, despite the trumpet not being his main instrument.[150]
- “Rockin’ Chair“[151][152][153] is a song by Hoagy Carmichael. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong in a duet with the composer.[154] Carmichael has said that he wrote the song as a kind of sequel to his 1926 “Washboard Blues“, which had lyrics by Fred Callahan.[155] The song was made famous by Mildred Bailey, who used it as her theme song.[156] Bailey’s first hit recording was made in 1937.[157]
- “Stardust“[8][158][159] is a song composed by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. Originally recorded by Carmichael as a mid-tempo jazz instrumental, the 1930 romantic ballad rendition by Isham Jones and His Orchestra became a top-selling hit. Louis Armstrong recorded an influential ballad rendition in 1931. The song is arguably the most recorded popular song, and one of the top jazz standards. Billboard magazine conducted a poll of leading disk jockeys in 1955 on the “popular song record of all time”; four different renditions of “Stardust” made it to the list, including Glenn Miller’s (1941) at third place and Artie Shaw’s (1940) at number one.[160] The title was spelled “Star Dust” in the 1929 publication, and both spellings are used.
- “What Is This Thing Called Love?“[47] is a song written by Cole Porter for the musical revue Wake Up and Dream. It was introduced by Elsie Carlisle in London. Ben Bernie’s and Fred Rich‘s recordings made the charts in 1930. One of the best-known instrumental versions was recorded by Clifford Brown and Max Roach with Sonny Rollins in 1956. The song’s chord progression has inspired several later compositions, including Tadd Dameron‘s bebop standard “Hot House“.[161]
Songs from 1930’s
There’s a reason the 1930’s were coined the “The Great Song Era”. Most of the well known composers were at their peak as was the Hollywood Musical, Broadway and Radio. Here’s a list of the most popular tunes from the 1930’s
- “Across The Breakfast Table (Looking At You)” w.m. Irving Berlin, Featured in the Warner Bros. musical Mammy
- “After A Million Dreams” w.Edgar Leslie m. Walter Donaldson, Featured in the William Fox musical film Cameo Kirby
- “All I Want Is Just One Girl” w. Leo Robin m. Richard A. Whiting, Featured in the Paramount musical film Paramount On Parade
- “Alone In The Rain” w.m. Dan Dougherty and Edmund Goulding, Featured in the Pathe musical film The Grand Parade
- “Alone With My Dreams” w. Gus Kahn m. Harry Archer
- “Always In All Ways” w. Leo Robin m. Richard A. Whiting & W. Franke Harling. Introduced by Jeanette MacDonald in the Paramount musical film Monte Carlo.
- “Any Time’s The Time To Fall In Love” w.m. Elsie Janis and Jack King[disambiguation needed], Featured in the Paramount musical film Paramount On Parade
- “A Bench in the Park” w. Jack Yellen m. Milton Ager, Featured in the Universal musical film King of Jazz
- “Betty Co-Ed” w.m. J. Paul Fogarty & Rudy Vallee
- “Beware Of Love” m.w. William Kernell, Featured in the William Fox musical film Women Everywhere
- “Beyond the Blue Horizon” w. Leo Robin m. Richard A. Whiting & W. Franke Harling. Introduced by Jeanette MacDonald in the Paramount musical film Monte Carlo.
- “Blue Again” w. Dorothy Fields m. Jimmy McHugh. Introduced by Evelyn Hoey in The Vanderbilt Revue.
- “Blue Is The Night” w.m. Fred Fisher, from the M.G.M. musical film Their Own Desire
- “Blue, Turning Grey Over You” w. Andy Razaf m. Thomas “Fats” Waller
- “Body and Soul” w. Robert Sour, Edward Heyman & Frank Eyton m. Johnny Green
- “Bye Bye Blues” w.m. Bert Lown, Chauncey Gray, Fred Hamm & Dave Bennett
- “Can This Be Love?” w. Paul James m. Kay Swift. Introduced by Alice Boulden in the musical Fine and Dandy.
- “Can’t We Talk It Over?” w. Ned Washington m. Victor Young
- “Caribbean Love Song” w.m. Eugene Berton, Featured in the United Artists film Hell Harbor
- “Cheerful Little Earful” w. Ira Gershwin & Billy Rose m. Harry Warren
- “Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love” w. Billy Rose m. Henry Tobias
- “A Cottage For Sale” w. Larry Conley m. Willard Robison
- “Dancing on the Ceiling” w. Lorenz Hart m. Richard Rodgers
- “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes” w. Al Dubin m. Joe Burke, Featured in the Warner Bros. musical Dancing Sweeties
- “Dangerous Nan McGrew” w. Dan Hartman m. Al Goodhart
- “Don’t Tell Him What Happened To Me” w. B. G. De Sylva & Lew Brown m. Ray Henderson
- “Down the River of Golden Dreams” w. John Klenner m. Nathaniel Shilkret
- “Embraceable You” w. Ira Gershwin m. George Gershwin
- “Exactly Like You” w. Dorothy Fields m. Jimmy McHugh
- “Falling in Love Again” w. (Eng) Sammy Lerner m. Frederick Hollander
- “Fine and Dandy” w. Paul James (pseudonym for James Warburg) m. Kay Swift
- “For You” w. Al Dubin m. Joe Burke
- “Gee, But I’d Like To Make You Happy” w.m. Larry Shay, Ward & Montgomery
- “Georgia On My Mind” w. Stuart Gorrell m. Hoagy Carmichael
- “Get Happy” w. Ted Koehler m. Harold Arlen
- “Goofus” w. Gus Kahn m. Wayne King & William Harold
- “Happy Feet” w. Jack Yellen m. Milton Ager
- “I Am Only Human after All” w. Ira Gershwin & E. Y. Harburg m. Vernon Duke
- “I Bring a Love Song” w. Oscar Hammerstein II m. Sigmund Romberg from the musical film Viennese Nights
- “I Got Rhythm” w. Ira Gershwin m. George Gershwin
- “I Love You So Much” w. Bert Kalmar m. Harry Ruby
- “If Your Kisses Can’t Hold the Man You Love” w. Jack Yellen m. Vivian Ellis
- “I’m Confessin’ That I Love You” w. Al J. Neiburg m. Doc Daugherty & Ellis Reynolds
- “I’m Glad I Waited” w.m. Vincent Youmans
- “I’m In the Market for You” w. Joseph McCarthy m. James F. Hanley
- “Into My Heart” w. Roy Turk m. Fred Ahlert. Introduced by Ramon Novarro in the film In Gay Madrid
- “It Happened In Monterey” w. Billy Rose m. Mabel Wayne
- “It Must Be True” w.m. Gus Arnheim, Harry Barris & Gordon Clifford
- “J’ai Deux Amours” w. Georges Koger & H. Varna m. Vincent Scotto
- “Just a Gigolo” w. (Eng) Irving Caesar (Ger) Julius Brammer m. Leonello Casucci
- “The Kiss Waltz” w. Al Dubin m. Joe Burke
- “Lady, Play Your Mandolin” w. Irving Caesar m. Oscar Levant
- “The Little Things in Life” w.m. Irving Berlin
- “Little White Lies” w.m. Walter Donaldson
- “Livin’ In The Sunlight, Lovin’ In The Moonlight” w. Al Lewis m. Al Sherman
- “Love for Sale” w.m. Cole Porter
- “Lucky Seven” w. Howard Dietz m. Arthur Schwartz
- “Memories of You” w. Andy Razaf m. Eubie Blake
- “My Future Just Passed” w. George Marion Jr m. Richard A. Whiting
- “Mysterious Mose” w.m. Walter Doyle
- “Nina Rosa” m. Irving Caesar
- “Nine Little Miles From Ten-Ten-Tennessee” w.m. Al Sherman & Al Lewis & Con Conrad
- “Ninety-Nine Out of a Hundred (Wanna Be Loved) w.m. Al Sherman & Al Lewis
- “On the Sunny Side of the Street” w. Dorothy Fields m. Jimmy McHugh
- “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” w. Sidney Clare m. Sam H. Stept
- “Send for Me” w. Lorenz Hart m. Richard Rodgers
- “Sing, You Sinners” w.m. W. Franke Harling & Sam Coslow. Introduced by Lillian Roth in the film Honey
- “Someday I’ll Find You” w.m. Noel Coward
- “Something to Remember You By” w. Howard Dietz m. Arthur Schwartz
- “The Song of the Dawn” w. Jack Yellen m. Milton Ager from the film King Of Jazz
- “Sweepin’ the Clouds Away” w.m. Sam Coslow
- “Sweet Jennie Lee” w.m. Walter Donaldson
- “Telling it to the Daisies” w. Joe Young m. Harry Warren
- “Ten Cents a Dance” w. Lorenz Hart m. Richard Rodgers
- “Them There Eyes” w.m. Maceo Pinkard, William Tracey & Doris Tauber
- “They All Fall In Love” w.m. Cole Porter
- “Three Little Words” w. Bert Kalmar m. Harry Ruby
- “Time on My Hands” w. Harold Adamson & Mack Gordon m. Vincent Youmans
- “Two Loves Have I” w. (Eng) J. P. Murray & Barry Trivers m. Vincent Scotto
- “Walking My Baby Back Home” w.m. Roy Turk & Fred Ahlert
- “The Waltz You Saved For Me” w. Gus Kahn m. Wayne King & Emil Flindt
- “When I’m Looking At You” w. Clifford Grey m. Herbert Stothart. Introduced by Lawrence Tibbett in the film The Rogue Song
- “When Your Hair Has Turned To Silver” w. Charles Tobias m. Peter De Rose
- “The White Dove” w. Clifford Grey m. Franz Lehár
- “Why Am I So Romantic?” w. Bert Kalmar m. Harry Ruby
- “Would You Like To Take A Walk?” w. Mort Dixon & Billy Rose m. Harry Warren
- “You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me” w.m. Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal & Pierre Norman
- “You Will Remember Vienna” w. Oscar Hammerstein II m. Sigmund Romberg
- “You’re Driving Me Crazy” w.m. Walter Donaldson
Biggest hit songs
The following songs achieved the highest sales in 1930 on the major record labels in the United States (i.e. Victor, Brunswick and Columbia). Record sales continued at 1929 levels up until July of 1930. In the autumn of 1930 the Great Depression began in earnest for the majority of the public who finally began to feel the economic downturn. This caused record sales to plummet in August and they would remain low for the remainder of the year.
Top hits on record
- “After A Million Dreams” by John Boles
- “After A Million Dreams” by George Olsen
- “All I Want Is Just One Girl” by Maurice Chevalier
- “Alone In The Rain” by Donald Novis
- “Alone In The Rain” by Lloyd Huntley Orchestra
- “Alone With My Dreams” by Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “Alone With My Dreams” by Charles Lawman
- “Always In All Ways” by Jeanette MacDonald
- “Always In All Ways” by George Olsen Orchestra
- “Any Time’s The Time To Fall In Love” by Charles Buddy Rogers
- “Beyond the Blue Horizon” by Jeanette MacDonald
- “Beyond the Blue Horizon” by George Olsen & His Music
- “Beyond the Blue Horizon” by Phil Spitalny Orchestra
- “Beware Of Love” by J. Harold Murray
- “Blue Is The Night” by James Melton
- “Blue Is The Night” by Charles Lawman
- “Blue Is The Night” by Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “Blue Is The Night” by Meyer Davis Orchestra
- “Body and Soul” by Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra
- “Betty Coed” by Rudy Vallee
- “Caribbean Love Song” by Nat Shilkret
- “Caribbean Love Song” by Colonial Club Orchestra, Conducted by Bob Haring
- “Charming” by Frank Munn
- “Cryin’ for the Carolines” by Johnny Marvin
- “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes” by The Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “Dark Night” by Nat Shilkret
- “Dream Lover” by Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “Dream Lover” by Jeanette MacDonald
- “For You” by John Boles
- “Gone” by Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “Gone” by Charles Lawman
- “He’s My Secret Passion” by Jacques Renard Orchestra
- “Happy Days Are Here Again” by Charles King[disambiguation needed]
- “Here Comes The Sun” by Charles King[disambiguation needed]
- “I Bring A Love Song” by Willie Robyn
- “I Bring A Love Song” by Leo Reisman Orchestra
- “I Bring A Love Song” by Jacques Renard Orchestra
- “I Never Dreamt (You’d Fall In Love With Me)” by Chester Gaylord
- “I Never Dreamt (You’d Fall In Love With Me)” by Ruth Etting
- “I Still Get A Thrill” by Ozzie Nelson Orchestra
- “I Still Get A Thrill” by Phil Spitalny Orchestra
- “I Still Get A Thrill” by Chester Gaylord
- “I’d Like To Be A Bee In Your Boudoir” by Charles Buddy Rogers
- “I’ll See You In My Dreams” by Cliff Edwards
- “I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You)” by Chester Gaylord
- “I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You)” by Rudy Vallee
- “In Memory Of You” by the Anglo-Persians
- “Into My Heart” by Nat Shilkret
- “It Happened In Monterey” by John Boles
- “It Happened In Monterey” by Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra
- “It Happened In Monterey” by Harold Scrappy Lambert
- “It’s A Great Life” by Maurice Chevalier
- “June Kisses” by Dick Powell
- “Just A Little Closer” by Nick Lucas
- “Just A Little Closer” by Rudy Vallee
- “Just A Little While” by The Troubadours, Conducted by Nat Shilkret
- “Just A Little While” by The Regent Club Orchestra, Conducted by Bob Haring
- “Lazy Lou’siana Moon” by Harold Scrappy Lambert
- “Lazy Lou’siana Moon” by Regent Club Orchestra, Conducted by Bob Haring
- “Leave A Little Smile” by Charles King[disambiguation needed]
- “Leave It That Way” by Lawrence Gray
- “Leave It That Way” by Jack Denny Orchestra
- “The Little Things In Life” by Lewis James
- “The Little Things In Life” by Gus Arnheim Orchestra with Bing Crosby
- “Little White Lies” by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians
- “Little White Lies” by Johnny Marvin
- “Looking for Lovelight In the Dark” by Jackie Taylor Orchestra
- “Maybe It’s Love” by Nick Lucas
- “Maybe It’s Love” by Kate Smith
- “Memories of You” by Chester Gaylord
- “My Future Just Passed” by Charles Buddy Rogers
- “My Future Just Passed” by Chester Gaylord
- “My Ideal” by Maurice Chevalier
- “Nobody Cares If I’m Blue” by Meyer Davis Orchestra
- “Night Winds” by Bebe Daniels
- “Ninety-Nine Out of a Hundred (Wanna Be Loved) by Rudy Vallee
- “On the Sunny Side Of the Street” by Ted Lewis & His Band
- “One More Waltz” by Ted Fiorito Orchestra
- “One More Waltz” by The Regent Club Orchestra, Conducted by Bob Haring
- “The One Girl” by John Boles
- “One Little Drink” by Noah Beery
- Puttin’ On The Ritz by Harry Richman
- “The Rogue Song” by Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “Romance” by John Boles
- “The Stein Song” by Rudy Vallee
- “Sally” by James Melton
- “The Shepherd’s Serenade” by Frank Munn
- “The Shepherd’s Serenade” by James Melton
- “Should I?” by Frank Munn
- “Should I?” by Victor Arden and Phil Ohman Orchestra
- “Singing A Song To The Stars” by Lewis James
- “Singing A Song To The Stars” by Cliff Edwards
- “So Beats My Heart For You” by Chester Gaylord
- “Song Of The Dawn” by John Boles
- “Something To Remember You By” by Helen Morgan
- “Ten Cents A Dance” by Ruth Etting
- “There’s Something About An Old Fashioned Girl” by Abe Lyman Orchestra
- “Three Little Words” by Nick Lucas
- “Three Little Words” by Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys (Another version by Duke Ellington & His Jungle Band)
- “Through (How Can You Say We’re T`rough?) ” by Franklyn Baur
- “Tomorrow Is Another Day” by Ted Fiorito Orchestra
- “Tomorrow Is Another Day” by Ben Bernie Orchestra
- “Under A Texas Moon” by Chester Gaylord
- “Under A Texas Moon” by Ted Fiorito Orchestra
- “Under The Spell Of Your Kiss” by Jacques Renard Orchestra
- “Under The Spell Of Your Kiss” by Lewis James
- “Until Love Comes Along” by Bebe Daniels
- “Until Love Comes Along” by Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “Until Love Comes Along” by Tom Clines Orchestra
- “Were You Just Pretending?” by James Melton
- “West Wind” by John Boles
- “What Do I Care?” by Charles Lawman
- “What’s The Use?” by Chester Gaylord
- “When I’m Looking At You” by Lawrence Tibbett
- “When I’m Looking At You” by Chester Gaylord
- “When I’m Looking At You” by Nat Shilkret Orchestra
- “When Love Comes In The Moonlight” by Charles King[disambiguation needed]
- “When Love Comes In The Moonlight” by Jackie Taylor Orchestra
- “When The Little Red Roses Get The Blues For You ” by Al Jolson
- “When The Little Red Roses Get The Blues For You ” by George Olsen
- “When The Little Red Roses Get The Blues For You ” by Earl Burtnett
- “With My Guitar And You” by Lewis James
- “With My Guitar And You” by Dick Powell
- “The Whole Darned Thing’s For You” by Lawrence Gray
- “We’re Friends Again” by Jacques Renard Orchestra
- “Whippoorwill” by Jack Denny Orchestra
- “Whippoorwill” by The Ipana Troubadors
- “With A Song In My Heart” by Franklyn Baur
- “You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me” by Maurice Chevalier
- “You, You Alone” by John Boles
- “You Will Come Back To Me” by Abe Lyman Orchestra
- “You Will Come Back To Me” by Charles Lawman
- “You Will Remember Vienna” by Willie Robyn
- “You Will Remember Vienna” by Leo Reisman Orchestra
- “You Will Remember Vienna” by Regent Club Orchestra, conducted by Bob Haring
- “You’re Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do?)” by Nick Lucas
- “You’re Lucky To Me” by Chester Gaylord
Sources: Wikipedia, lyrics.com
Paul Roth's Music Liner Notes 