| Even though Calloway’s band was considered a swinging jazz ensemble, his version of “I’ve Got the World on a String” is a more sedate, dance band reading of the tune. |
|
 |
|
- Chris Tyle
|
|
|
This Ted Koehler-Harold Arlen number was introduced in the 21st edition of the Cotton Club Parade, which opened on October 23, 1932. Cab Calloway’s orchestra, featured in the revue, had a hit on the charts with the number that year:
- Cab Calloway and His Orchestra (1932, vocal, #18)
- Bing Crosby, accompanied by the Dorsey Brothers’ Orchestra (1933, vocal, #19)
- Frank Sinatra, accompanied by Nelson Riddle’s Orchestra (1953, vocal, #14)
|
| |
|
| |
|
The 21st edition of the Cotton Club Parade was the second production that the songwriting team of Koehler and Arlen wrote for New York’s Cotton Club, and they would go on to write the music for two more of the shows, the 22nd and 24th editions. They had one outstanding number from each Parade that went on to be a hit, an impressive achievement. Koehler would continue on as lyricist for one more, and the productions ended in 1939. The Harlem Cotton Club closed in 1936, moving to a new location on Broadway and 48th Street, which closed in 1940.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Even though Calloway’s band was considered a swinging jazz ensemble, his version of “...String” is a more sedate, dance band reading of the tune. Record producers often would back a ballad or medium-tempo number with a “hot” tune, and the flip of the original 78 of “...String” was the jazz number “Harlem Hospitality,” another number from the Parade.
The tune was on a roll into 1933, as evidenced by Bing Crosby’s recording with the Dorsey Brothers’ Orchestra. Another reserved rendition (backed by a “hot” version of “My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms”) featured Crosby with the Mills Brothers.
Arlen and Koehler’s hit collaborations retained their popularity through the years, and “...String” continued to find favor with recording artists. Frank Sinatra’s swinging rendition from 1957, with a superb arrangement by Nelson Riddle and accompaniment by his orchestra, is a classic of Sinatra’s great work during his years with Capitol Records.
|
Chris Tyle - Jazz Musician and Historian
|
|
|
Koehler’s lyrics tell the tale of an individual who is on top of the world--“lucky me, can’t you see, I’m in love.” Arlen’s melody on the bridge is oddly centered on one note, but this repetitiveness fits the wordy lyrics beginning with “life is a beautiful thing.” Chris Tyle
Musical analysis of “I’ve Got the World on a String” | | Original Key | F major | | Form | A1 - A2 - B - A3 | | Tonality | Primarily major | | Movement | “A” sections are basically made up of a descending scale (from the fifth degree, down one octave) with a great deal of leaping and neighboring embellishment; “B” is based on a single repeated pitch, similarly embellished. | Comments (assumed background) | | It is the “leaping” embellishments that make this tune both interesting and challenging. Leaps of a fifth and a sixth in both directions are frequent throughout the melody. Additionally, this melody has a very wide range, covering a twelfth (C - f1, in the original). This is not a song for inexperienced vocalists and requires an interpretation that is strong without being heavy-handed. Keeping the tempo fairly quick (c. 110-120 b.p.m. in 4/4 time) will facilitate an effective performance. | K. J. McElrath - Musicologist for JazzStandards.com
Check out K. J. McElrath’s book of Jazz Standards Guide Tone Lines at his web site (www.bardicle.com). |
|
Are you a published Vocalist or Instrumentalist?
Add a comment and we'll credit you with a link to your site. (more...)
|
|
Click on a CD for more details at Amazon.com
Ernie Henry Quartet
Seven Standards & a Blues
1993 Original Jazz Classics 1722
Original recording 1957
|
|
The joyous spirit of the song is alive in the buoyant phrasing of alto saxophonist Henry, the bluesy delivery of pianist Wynton Kelly, and the swinging tempo of drummer Philly Joe Jones and bassist Wilbur Ware.
|
Joe Lovano
Celebrating Sinatra
2002 Blue Note 37718
Original recording 1996
|
|
The unpredictability of both saxophonist Lovano’s playing and the orchestral arrangement by Marty Albam makes this a fresh and exciting exercise which includes Judi Silvano’s vocalizing.
|
Diana Krall
Only Trust Your Heart
1995 GRP Records 9810
Original recording 1995
|
|
Krall’s voice is intoxicating and her piano playing sparse but vibrant on this enjoyable rollick that features some wonderful swing rhythm from bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash.
|
Carmen McRae
Sarah: Dedicated to You
2003 RCA
Original recording 1990
|
|
Vocalist McRae is backed by the Shirley Horn trio here, and they swing this tune gently but with authority. McRae gives it an earthy touch.
|
|
Louis Armstrong’s 1933 version of this tune was beautifully recorded by Victor Records, featuring Satch’s wonderful trumpet playing and a marvelous vocal. Teddy Wilson gets some solo space on this side, only his third recording session. Duke Ellington’s elegant vocalist Ivie Anderson graces Duke’s 1933 recording, which also features superb trombone by Lawrence Brown and trumpeter Cootie Williams. In 1944, despite the effects that the draft and other wartime woes had on big bands, Woody Herman surprised the music world by moving in a more modern direction, creating a band that would gain critical acclaim with young players and a few older hands. By 1945, with the end of the musicians’ union recording ban, Herman’s First Herd made a batch of fine sides for Columbia, including a great arrangement by Ralph Burns of “I’ve Got the World on a String” with vocal and clarinet by Woody and tenor sax by Flip Philips.
Chris Tyle - Jazz Musician and Historian
Louis Armstrong
Sugar
RCA 63851
|
|
| This section shows the jazz standards written by the same writing team. Click on a name to see all of a writer's jazz standards.
|
Additional information on “I’ve Got the World on a String” may be found in:
1 paragraph including the following types of information: lyric analysis.
6 pages including the following types of information: history, lyric analysis, music analysis and song lyrics. (Book includes CD).
1 paragraph including the following types of information: history and performers.
1 paragraph including the following types of information: history and performers.
1 paragraph including the following types of information: film productions, history and performers.
Includes the following types of information: song lyrics.
|
|
