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George Gershwin contributed the music to George White’s Scandals of 1924, and vocalist Winnie Lightner introduced this classic in the show. Paul Whiteman’s version of the tune hit the charts in November, 1924, and zipped into first place:
- Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, (1924, #1)
- Ray Miller and His Orchestra (1924, #4)
- Marion Harris (1925, vocal, #7)
- Cliff Edwards (1925, vocal, #11)
- Four Lads (1952, vocal, #22)
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George White’s Scandals of 1924 opened at New York’s Apollo Theater on June 30, 1924, and closed on December 13 after 196 performances. It was the fourth and last Scandals for which Gershwin wrote the music and the second for lyricist B. G. “Buddy” DeSylva.
Winnie Lightner (1899-1971) was known as Broadway’s “Song a Minute Girl” because she could sing a song in less than 60 seconds. She went on to work in motion pictures, first in Brooklyn with Vitaphone Studios (which produced short subjects on a number of early jazz groups) and then in Hollywood. Her film career took off in the late-1920s, but by the mid-1930s it petered out and she retired from show business.
“Somebody Loves Me” was a popular hit in the first few years after its appearance on Broadway, and then it was mainly performed by jazz artists who found it an appealing vehicle. In the late 1940s crossover artists Nat “King” Cole and Peggy Lee did popular versions, but in 1952 the Canadian vocal group the Four Lads recorded a version that hit the charts. A reorganized version of the group continues to perform today.
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More information on this tune... |
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See the Reading and Research panel below for more references. |
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Chris Tyle - Jazz Musician and Historian
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DeSylva’s lyrics, written along with Ballard MacDonald, detail the concern about whether there’s a special someone out there--ever hopeful that a “lovin’ baby” might be “passing by.” Chris Tyle
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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Click the graphic to play samples of this tune.
See our CD recommendations below for:
- Bill Charlap
- Don Byron
- Lester Young
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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
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| Click on any CD for more details at Amazon.com |
Bill Charlap
Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul
2005 Blue Note 60669
Original recording 2005
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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.
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Don Byron
Ivey-Divey
2004 Blue Note 78215
Original recording 2004
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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.
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Paul Gonsalves/Roy Eldridge
Mexican Bandit Meets Pittsburgh Pirate
1992 Original Jazz Classics 751
Original recording 1973
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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.
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Four Freshmen
...and 5 Trombones...and 5 Trumpets
1998 Collector's Choice
Original Recording 1955
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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.
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This section shows the jazz standards written by the same writing team.
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Additional information for "Somebody Loves Me" may be found in: |
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Thomas S. Hischak
The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia
Greenwood Press
Hardcover: 552 pages
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1 paragraph including the following types of information: film productions, history and performers.
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Robert Gottlieb, Robert Kimball
Reading Lyrics
Pantheon
Hardcover: 736 pages
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Includes the following types of information: song lyrics.
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