Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (Somebody Loves Me)

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Somebody Loves Me (1924)

Origin and Chart Information

Rank	172

Music	George Gershwin Emilia Renaud

Lyrics	B G DeSylva Ballard Macdonald

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Music and Lyrics Analysis

Musical analysis of “Somebody Loves Me”
Original Key	G major; section “B” contains false key changes to A minor and E minor, while the second half of the “A2”section is actually in B minor.
Form	A1 - A2 - B - A3
Tonality	“A” sections are major; “B” is minor
Movement	Generally ascending by step and descending by skips (thirds)
Comments (assumed background)
The manner in which this tune is performed today contains some significant differences from Gershwin’s original score. The early sheet music has a half note followed by two quarter notes in measure one, but most performers start with a quarter note on beat two. Another difference is the C7 chord in mm. 4 and 6; this seems to have been a “blue note” (flatted third), but today, most performers use an Eb9 at these points. Except for this flatted third and a C# in measure 6 of A2 (which is actually part of the brief, temporary key change to B minor), this melody is entirely diatonic, leaving many opportunities to explore harmonic substitutions.
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).

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CD Recommendations for This Tune

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Bill Charlap

Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul
2005 Blue Note 60669

Charlap’s tight, refined piano opens up with the addition of a multi-generational, all-star, horn section that punches up both the tempo and the spirit.

Don Byron

Ivey-Divey
2004 Blue Note 78215
Original recording 2004

The song (recorded twice) takes on a much different sound under the direction of improvisational clarinetist Don Byron and company as they agitate tempo and uncoil harmony.

Paul Gonsalves/Roy Eldridge

Mexican Bandit Meets Pittsburgh Pirate
1992 Original Jazz Classics 751
Original recording 1973

With all the fun of a late-night jam session, saxophonist Gonsalves and trumpeter Eldridge (also on vocals) trade tousled licks on this fast-paced bop rendition of the song.

Four Freshmen

...and 5 Trombones...and 5 Trumpets
1998 Collector’s Choice
Original Recording 1955

The Freshmen were extremely popular in the ‘50s for their closely voiced harmonies, improvisational skills, and swinging attitude. The 5 Trombones album features an all-star jazz quartet and trombone quintet with arrangements by the incomparable Pete Rugolo. “Somebody Loves Me” gets an unusual rhythmic treatment.

Jazz History Notes

Fletcher Henderson’s 1930 recording of “Somebody Loves Me” is an early Benny Carter arrangement, with a great solo by trumpeter Bobby Stark and a rather unusual vocal by short-lived, but influential trombonist Jimmy Harrison. Jack Teagarden, often compared to Harrison (both vocally and instrumentally), recorded the tune in 1936 with C melody saxophonist Frank Trumbauer’s Orchestra.

Pianist Teddy Wilson’s star was on the ascendant by 1934 when he recorded several solos, including “Somebody Loves Me,” on his first recording session.

Multi-instrumentalist Benny Carter and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins were both in Holland in 1937 and their version features fine solo work by Hawk, and Carter is heard both on trumpet and clarinet.

Finally, the Lester Young Trio from 1946, with Nat “King” Cole on piano and Buddy Rich on drums, has some of Lester’s best post-war playing and is, in one word, exceptional.

Chris Tyle - Jazz Musician and Historian