The song of the day for Sunday, November 1, 2015 is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”
About This Song
Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “I Wish I Were In Love Again” for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. It was a favorite song of Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Audra McDonald.
Your author is hopelessly enchanted with the lyrics for this song. I just love the music of Rodgers and Hart.
When love congeals it soon reveals
The faint aroma of performing seals
The double-crossing of a pair of heels
I wish I were in love again
About These Versions
Today we have three versions of today’s song. The first two are from Bennett’s own label from the 1970s, Improv, and the wonderful recordings of the songs of Rodgers and Hart with the Ruby Braff / George Barnes Quartet, recorded in 1973. These 1973 recordings always seem completely in the period they were written in. Compare these two to our third version, recorded in 1992 for Perfectly Frank. This version is more urbane. Lots to listen to here.
1973-1
“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.
1973-2
“I Wish I Were In Love Again (Alternate Take #1),” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.
“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.
Such clever lyrics. Am I getting old and grumpy if I say they don’t write songs like that anymore!?
Not old and grumpy. Just smart and appreciative, as am I.