Showing posts with label Blue Skies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Skies. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Lyle Lovett: Top 50 Songs

Lyle Lovett

Top 50 Songs

Lyle Pearce Lovett was born November 1, 1957, in Houston, Texas. The singer/songwriter is most associated with country music, but has integrated jazz, blues, rockabilly, and other genres into his work. He has also been an actor and record producer. He began his career in 1980, releasing his debut album in 1986.

Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast: The Best of Lyle Lovett, 1986-2022 based on this list. Premiere: May 17, 2022 at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.

Awards:

Top 50 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. Songs which hit #1 on various charts are noted. (Click for codes to singles charts.)

DMDB Top 20%:

1. If I Had a Boat (1988)
2. Private Conversation (1996)
3. You’ve Got a Friend in Me (with Randy Newman, 1995)
4. She’s No Lady (1988)
5. Nobody Knows Me (1989)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

6. Give Back My Heart (1987)
7. Cowboy Man (1986)
8. Blue Skies (1994)
9. God Will (1986)
10. Church (1992)

11. Pontiac (1988)
12. That’s Right (You’re Not from Texas) (1996)
13. L.A. County (1988)
14. You Can’t Resist It (1986)
15. I Married Her Just Because She Looked Like You (1988)
16. Stand by Your Man (1989)
17. Funny How Time Slips Away (with Al Green, 1994)
18. Here I Am (1989)
19. Simple Song (1988)
20. Step Inside This House (1998)

21. Don’t Touch My Hat (1996)
22. Penguins (1994)
23. If I Were the Man You Wanted (1986)
24. Farther Down the Road (1986)
25. Till It Shines (with Keb’ Mo’, 1999)
26. Friend of the Devil (1991)
27. I Loved You Yesterday (1988)
28. Bears (1998)
29. My Baby Don’t Tolerate (2003)
30. You’ve Been So Good Up to Now (1992)

31. Closing Time (1986)
32. Why I Don’t Know (1986)
33. An Acceptable Level of Ecstasy (1986)
34. What’d I Say (2000)
35. Smile (1998)
36. What Do You Do/The Glory of Love (1989)
37. I’ve Been to Memphis (1992)
38. North Dakota (1992)
39. I Love Everybody (1994)
40. She’s Hot to Go (1988)

41. Mack the Knife (1994)
42. M-O-N-E-Y (1988)
43. Creeps Like Me (1994)
44. Sonja (1994)
45. Solider in the Army of the Lord (1997)
46. Skinny Legs (1994)
47. Since the Last Time (1992)
48. Cryin’ Shame (1989)
49. San Antonio Girl (2001)
50. Family Reserve (1994)

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First posted 4/14/2022; last updated 5/17/2022.
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Friday, May 11, 2012

Irving Berlin was born: May 11, 1888

image from musicradar.com

He was born Israel Isidore Baline in Tyumen, Russia on May 11, 1888. He became a renowned composer and lyricist in America. George Gershwin called him “the greatest songwriter who ever lived.” Jerome Kern said, “Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music.” A 2001 Time magazine article estimated Berlin has written around 1250 songs. 25 have reached #1 on the pop charts.

He wrote 17 complete scores for Broadway musicals and revues including Call Me Madam and Annie Get Your Gun. The latter is one of the top 1000 albums of all time, was rated best album of the year by the DMDB, and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Berlin’s first notable hit was in 1911 with Alexander’s Ragtime Band. While covered many times, it was Arthur Collins and Byron Harlan’s version which garnered the most praise. It ranks in the DMDB’s top 1000 songs of all time and NPR ranked it one of the most Important American musical works of the 20th century.

Alexander’s Ragtime Band

“Ragtime” was also named to the Grammy Hall of Fame, as were “Puttin’ on the Ritz” (Earl Burtnett & His Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra with Harry Richman, 1930), “Cheek to Cheek” (Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers with Leo Reisman’s Orchestra, 1935), “Marie” (Tommy Dorsey, 1937), “God Bless America” (Kate Smith, 1939), and “White Christmas” (Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers, 1942).

Cheek to Cheek

All Told, Berlin landed 15 songs in the DMDB’s top 1000 songs of all time. In addition to the above titles are “When I Lost You” (Henry Burr, 1913), “Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning” (Arthur Fields, 1918), “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody” (John Steel, 1919), “What’ll I Do?” (Paul Whiteman, 1924), and “All Alone” (Al Jolson, 1925). Also rating in the elite 1000 list are “Blue Skies” (Ben Selvin, 1927), “How Deep Is the Ocean?” (Guy Lombardo with Carmen Lombardo, 1932), “Easter Parade” (Leo Reisman with Clifton Webb, 1933), and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” (Les Brown, 1948).

“Ragtime,” “All Alone,” and “White Christmas” all earned distinction as DMDB Songs of the Year. “Ragtime,” “Christmas,” and “Cheek to Cheek” rank amongst the the biggest #1 pop songs in U.S. chart history. “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “Cheek,” and “Christmas” are all in the American Film Institute’s list 100 Years…100 Songs">. “God Bless America” and “Christmas” are also in the National Recording Registry.

God Bless America

Of course, no song is bigger than Berlin’s “White Christmas” as recorded by Bing Crosby. It doesn’t just rank as one of the top 100 best-selling songs in the world, but tops that list. Its 56 million in worldwide sales put it nearly 20 million ahead of its closest competition, Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997.” The song went to #1 for 11 weeks in 1942 and then recharted eleven times over the next dozen years, even picking up three more weeks atop the charts. All told, it looged over 100 weeks on the pop charts over 20 Christmas seasons. Berlin , who was often insecure about his work, referred to the song not just as the best one he’d ever written, but the best anyone had ever written. LW Dave’s Music Database concurs, ranking it the #1 song of all time.

White Christmas

Awards:

Resources and Related Links:
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Wednesday, May 11, 1988

Irving Berlin - Happy 100th birthday! His Top 100 Songs

Irving Berlin

Top 100 Songs

Composer and lyricist born Israel Isidore Baline, better known as Irving Berlin, was born 100 years ago today on 5/11/1888 in Tyumen, Russia. Died 9/22/1989. George Gershwin called him “the greatest songwriter who ever lived.” Jerome Kern said, “Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music.” A 2001 Time magazine article estimated Berlin wrote around 1250 songs. 25 have reached #1 on the pop charts. He wrote 17 complete scores for Broadway musicals and revues including Call Me Madam and Annie Get Your Gun. See an extensive list of Berlin songs here. For a complete list of this act’s DMDB honors, check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry.

“Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “Always,” “God Bless America,” “Blue Skies,” and “White Christmas” – the number 1 song of all time according to the DMDB – are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Pre-Rock Era, 1890-1953.

For a complete list of this act’s DMDB honors, check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs

DMDB Top 1%:

1. White Christmas (Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers & John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra, 1942) #1 US, HP, RB, AU
2. Alexander’s Ragtime Band (Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan, 1911) #1 US
3. Cheek to Cheek (Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers with Leo Reisman’s Orchestra, 1935) #1 US, HP
4. Always (George Olsen with Fran Frey, Bob Rice, & Edward Joyce; 1926) #1 US
5. God Bless America (Kate Smith, 1939)
6. Blue Skies (Ben Selvin, 1927) #1 US
7. Puttin’ on the Ritz (Earl Burtnett & Harry Richman, 1930) #1 US
8. Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning (Arthur Fields, 1918) #1 US
9. A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody (John Steel, 1919) #1 US
10. What’ll I Do? (Paul Whiteman, 1924) #1 US

11. When I Lost You (Henry Burr, 1913) #1 US
12. All Alone (Al Jolson with Ray Miller’s Orchestra, 1925) #1 US
13. How Deep is the Ocean? (Guy Lombardo with Carmen Lombardo, 1932)
14. All by Myself (Ted Lewis, 1921) #1 US
15. Say It with Music (Paul Whiteman, 1921) #1 US
16. When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’ (Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan, 1913) #1 US

DMDB Top 5%:

17. Marie (Tommy Dorsey with Jack Leonard, 1937) #1 US
18. I’ve Got My love to Keep Me Warm (Les Brown, 1948) #1 US
19. Say It Isn’t So (George Olsen with Paul Small, 1932) #1 US
20. Remember (Isham Jones, 1925) #1 US

21. Mandy (Van & Schenck, 1919)
22. Easter Parade (Leo Reisman with Clifton Webb, 1933)
23. Russian Lullaby (Roger Wolfe Kahn with Henry Garden, 1927) #1 US
24. Change Partners (Fred Astaire with Ray Noble’s Orchestra, 1938) #1 US, HP
25. Let’s Take an Old-Fashioned Walk (Ada Jones & Billy Murray, 1907) #1 US
26. Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails (Fred Astaire with Johnny Greer’s Orchestra, 1935)
27. Let’s Face the Music and Dance (Fred Astaire with Johnny Greer’s Orchestra, 1936)
28. Tell Me Little Gypsy (Art Hickman, 1920)
29. I’ll See You in C-U-B-A (Billy Murray, 1920)
30. There’s No Business Like Show Business (Ethel Merman, 1946)

31. You’d Be Surprised (Eddie Cantor, 1920)
32. I Love a Piano (Billy Murray, 1916) #1 US
33. Play a Simple Melody (Billy Murray & Edna Brown, 1916)
34. Nobody Knows and Nobody Seems to Care (Irving & Jack Kaufman, 1920)
35. Doin’ What Comes Naturally (Freddy Martin with Glenn Hughes, 1946)
36. Lazy (Al Jolson with Gene Rodemich’s Orchestra, 1924)
37. This is the Life (Peerless Quartet, 1914)
38. Some Sunny Day (Marion Harris, 1922)
39. They Say It’s Wonderful (Frank Sinatra, 1946) #1 HP
40. The Song Is Ended But the Melody Lingers On (Ruth Etting, 1928)

41. Home Again Blues (Original Dixieland Jazz Band, 1921)
42. He’s a Devil in His Own Home Town (Billy Murray, 1914)
43. I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket (Fred Astaire with Johnny Greer’s Orchestra, 1936) #1 US
44. After You Get What You Want, You Don’t Want It (Van & Schenck, 1920)
45. They Were All Out of Step But Jim (Billy Murray, 1918)
46. I Want to Go Back to Michigan (Down on the Farm) (Eldia Morris, 1914)
47. He’s a Rag Picker (Peerless Quartet, 1915)
48. When I Leave the World Behind (Henry Burr, 1915)
49. How Many Times? (Benny Krueger, 1926)
50. Heat Wave (Glen Gray with Midred Bailey, 1933)

51. Soft Lights and Sweet Music (Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians, 1932)
52. I Got the Sun in the Morning (Les Brown with Doris Day, 1946)
53. Let Yourself Go (Fred Astaire with Johnny Greer’s Orchestra, 1936)
54. At the Devil’s Ball (Peerless Quartet, 1913)
55. Syncopated Walk (Prince’s Orchestra, 1915)
56. You Keep Coming Back Like a Song (Dinah Shore, 1946) #1 AU
57. Pack Up Your Sins and Go to the Devil (Emil Coleman, 1923)
58. Be Careful, It’s My Heart (Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra, 1942)

DMDB Top 10%:

59. That Mysterious Rag (Arthur Collins & Albert Campbell, 1912)
60. In My Harem (Walter Van Brunt, 1913)
61. The Girl That I Marry (Eddy Howard, 1947)
62. Goodbye France (Nora Bayes, 1919)
63. Reaching for the Moon (Ruth Etting, 1931)
64. Araby (Harry MacDonough, 1916)
65. Down in Chattanooga (Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan, 1914)
66. I’m Going Back to Dixie (aka “I Want to Be in Dixie”) (Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan, 1912)
67. You’re Just in Love (Perry Como with the Fontane Sisters & Mitchell Ayres Orchestra, 1950) #1 AU
68. Isn’t This a Lovely Day to Be Caught in the Rain? (Fred Astaire with Johnny Greer’s Orchestra, 1935)
69. No Strings (Fred Astaire with Leo Reisman’s Orchestra, 1935)

DMDB Top 20%:

70. It’s a Lovely Day Today (Doris Day with George Siravo’s Orchestra, 1951)
71. Along Came Ruth (Arthur Fields, 1914)
72. From Here to Shanghai (Al Jolson with Charles Prince’s Orchestra, 1917)
73. Let’s All Be Americans Now (American Quartet, 1917)
74. Smile and Show Your Dimple (Sam Ash, 1918)
75. Somebody’s Coming to My House (1913)
76. It Only Happens When I Dance with You (Frank Sinatra, 1948)
77. Count your Blessings Instead of Sheep (Rosemary Clooney, 1954)
78. I Used to Be Color Blind (Fred Astaire with Ray Noble’s Orchestra, 1938)
79. Back to Back (Glenn Miller with Marion Hutton and Tex Beneke, 1939)
80. All of My Life (Sammy Kaye with Billy Williams, 1945)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

81. Anything You Can Do (Ethel Merman & Ray Middleton, 1946)
82. Alexander’s Bag Pipe Band (1912)
83. Supper Time (1933)
84. Fools Fall in Love (1940)
85. I Got Lost in His Arms (1946)
86. The Best Thing for You Would Be Me (1950)
87. Mr. Jazz Himself (1917)
88. Over the Seas, Boys (1918)
89. You Cannot Make Your Shimmy Shake on Tea (1919)
90. Steppin’ Out with My Baby (Fred Astaire, 1947)

91. Stay Down Here Where You Belong (Henry Burr, 1915)
92. Always Treat Her Like a Baby (1914)
93. Try It on Your Piano (1910)
94. Cuddle Up (1911)
95. Dog Gone That Chilly Man (1911)
96. Sombrero Land (1911)
97. That Monkey Tune (1911)
98. When I’m Alone I’m Lonesome (1911)
99. The Monkey Doodle Doo (1913)
100. The Old Maids Ball (1913)

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 12/7/2019; last updated 6/5/2022.
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Saturday, April 9, 1977

50 years ago: “Blue Skies” charts for the first of 9 times

Blue Skies

Ben Selvin

Writer(s): Irving Berlin (see lyrics here)

First Charted: April 9, 1927

Peak: 12 US, 12 GA, 2 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.)

Sales (in millions): 1.0 (sheet music)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.81 video, -- streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Belle Baker first sang “Blue Skies” in the 1926 musical Betsy. JA While the rest of the musical was scored by Rodgers and Hart, this song by Irving Berlin was added – depending on the account, at the request of either Baker JA or the producer, Florenz Ziegfeld. TY The number was so successful, it received 24 encores. RCG

The song was well received on the charts as well, with six versions charting in 1927 alone. Ben Selvin had the #1 hit, but Vaughn Deleath (#15), Vincent Lopez (#9), Johnny Marvin & Ed Smalle (#9), George Olsen (#2), Harry Richman (#13) also found success with the song. It topped sheet music sales for a year. MM Frances Langford regularly sang it for World War II troops as a way to celebrate the good feelings soldiers had upon returning home. RCG Count Basie (#8, 1946), Benny Goodman (#9, 1946), and Johnny Long (#22, 1941) would find successs with the song in later years. Tommy Dorsey, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Glenn Miller, Willie Nelson, and Frank Sinatra have also recorded it. MM

It also became a staple in movies, notably sung by Al Jolson in the first sound film, 1927’s The Jazz Singer, TY by Ethel Merman and Alice Faye in the 1938 film Alexander’s Ragtime Band, and Bing Crosby in 1946’s Blue Skies as well as 1954’s White Christmas. JA

Berlin captured the nature of love with the suggestion that it “can turn gray skies to blue.” TY He also made clever use of the word blue by beginning each of the three main sections with references to blue – blue skies, bluebirds, and blue days. TY The song’s structure “shifts from a bluesy chorus to an upbeat verse making it a mainstay of jazz artists.” RCG

Resources:

  • JA David A. Jasen (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Routledge: Taylor & Francis, Inc. Page 25.
  • MM Max Morath (2002). The NPR Curious Listener’s Guide to Popular Standards. New York, NY; Penguin Putnam Inc. Page 152.
  • RCG RimChiGuy.com The Old Songs (1900-1929)
  • TY Don Tyler (1985). Hit Parade 1920-1955. New York, NY: Quill. Page 38.

Related Links:

First posted 4/9/2016; last updated 7/25/2022.

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