1950s, Broadway/Movies/Television

High Hopes

July 1, 2024

First performed by Frank Sinatra & Eddie Hodges (1959).
Hit version by Frank Sinatra & Children’s Chorus (US #30/UK #6 1959).

From the wiki: “‘High Hopes’, with music written by James Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy Cahn, was popularized by Frank Sinatra, first introduced by Sinatra and child actor Eddie Hodges in the 1959 film A Hole in the Head where it was nominated for a Grammy, and won an Oscar for ‘Best Original Song’ at the 32nd Academy Awards.

“The hit version of ‘High Hopes’ was recorded after the movie’s release by Sinatra in 1959 with a children’s chorus. Released as a single in 1959, it was later included on Sinatra’s 1961 album All the Way. The single reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at #6 on the UK Singles chart. Sinatra would also record a version of the tune with different lyrics which was used as a theme song for the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy.”

Call Me Irresponsible

January 11, 2016

First performed by Jackie Gleason (in Papa’s Delicate Condition) (1963).
Also performed by Judy Garland (1963).
Popular versions by Frank Sinatra (1963), Jack Jones (US #75 1963).

From the wiki: “”Call Me Irresponsible” was composed in 1962 by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. According to the Mel Tormé book The Other Side of the Rainbow with Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol, Van Heusen originally wrote the song for Garland to sing at a CBS dinner. At that time, Garland had just signed to do The Judy Garland Show on CBS-TV, and the intent of the song was to parody her well-known problems. Garland later did sing the song, on the seventh episode of her variety show.

“However, in 1988, Sammy Cahn said that the song was originally written for Fred Astaire to sing in the film Papa’s Delicate Condition in which Astaire was to star. Cahn personally auditioned the song for Astaire’s approval, which was given. However, Astaire’s contractual obligations prevented him from making the film and the role went to Jackie Gleason, who introduced the song. It would go on to win the Academy Award for ‘Best Original Song’ at the 36th Academy Awards held in 1964.”

Teach Me Tonight

October 15, 2014

First recorded by Janet Brace (US #23 1953).
Other hit versions by Dinah Washington (R&B #4 1954), The DeCastro Sisters (US#2/UK #20 1954), Jo Stafford (US #15 1955), George Maharis (US #25 1962), Al Jarreau (US #70/R&B #51 1982).
Also recorded by Amy Winehouse (2003).

From the wiki: “‘Teach Me Tonight’ was written by Gene De Paul, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn, and first recorded in 1953 by Janet Brace. Dinah Washington recorded the first cover in 1954, charting into the R&B Top 5.

“The DeCastro Sisters, a Cuban trio, recorded it with Skip Martin’s orchestra and had the biggest hit with the song, peaking at #2 on the Hit Parade.

Tagged: Sammy Cahn