Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square)

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A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (1940)

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Rank	804

Words and Music	Eric Maschwitz Manning Sherwin Jack Strachey

Here are the top ten...

Year	Rank	Title
1930	1	“Body and Soul”
1939	2	“All the Things You Are”
1935	3	“Summertime”
1944	4	“'Round Midnight”
1935	5	“I Can't Get Started (with You)”
1937	6	“My Funny Valentine”
1942	7	“Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be)”
1930	8	“What Is This Thing Called Love?”
1933	9	“Yesterdays”
1946	10	“Stella by Starlight”

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Musicians' Comments

This tune was a hit in the wartime years because of the nostalgic feeling for home that it aroused in people. I recorded it in the key of E rather than Eb or F because I liked the brighter sound. Also, since the recording was with guitar and we start the piece real open and free, there are lots of possibilities for harmonics from the guitar and bass. It’s a nice, unusual contrast the way the bridge goes to a totally unrelated place by going into Ab.

Bill Mays, pianist, composer and arranger
www.BillMays.net

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Reading and Research

Additional information for "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" may be found in:


Thomas S. Hischak The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia Greenwood Press Hardcover: 552 pages (1 paragraph including the following types of information: Broadway productions, history and performers.)

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By the Same Writers...

Written by the Same Composer(s)...

This section shows the jazz standards written by the same writing team.

Eric Maschwitz, Manning Sherwin and Jack Strachey
Year	Rank	Title
1940	804	“A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”