100 years ago: “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” hit #1

I’m Always Chasing Rainbows Charles Harrison

Writer(s): Frederick Chopin (music), Harry Carroll (music), Joseph McCarthy (words) (see lyrics here) First Charted: November 8, 1918 Peak: 15 US, 3 GA, 12 SM (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 (sheet music) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.17 video, -- streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Harry Carroll adapted the music from the melody of Frédéric Chopin’s “Fantaisie Impromptu in C sharp minor.” It was “one of the first instances of a popular song being lifted from a famous classical composition.” TY2 Joseph McCarthy added lyrics “about things always going wrong.” SM The singer has tried to find happiness, but says “my dreams have all been denied.” He then asks, “Why have I always been a failure / What can the reason be? / I wonder if the world’s to blame / I wonder if it could be me?” TY2 The song was introduced in the Broadway show Oh Look, SM sung by vaudeville dancer, actor, and comedian Harry Fox DJ and the identical twins Rose and Jenny – known as the Dolly Sisters. SM The version that reached #1 on the charts, however, was by Charles Harrison. His was one of four versions to chart in 1918. The others were by Fox (#5), Prince’s Orchestra (#6), and Sam Ash (#9). PM The song was also featured in the movie musicals Ziegfeld Girl (1941), sung by Judy Garland, The Merry Monahans (1944), and The Dolly Sisters (1945). The latter version was sung by Betty Grable and revived interest in the song, leading to three more chart versions in 1945-46 by Perry Como (#5), Helen Forrest & Dick Haymes (#7), and Harry James’ Orchestra with Erno Rapee on vocals (#9). PM Other versions have been recorded by Julie Andrews, Tony Bennett, Henry Burr, Diahann Carroll, Petula Clark, Alice Cooper, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Benny Goodman, Al Jolson, Liberace, Guy Lombardo, Harry Nilsson, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, and Barbra Streisand. WK Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Charles Harrison DJ David Jasen (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Routledge: Taylor & Francis, Inc. Page 96. SM Sharon Mawer Charts (1900-1968) TY2 Don Tyler (2007). Hit Songs, 1900-1955. McFarland & Company, Inc.: Jefferson, North Carolina. Page 98. PM Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research, Inc: Menomonee Falls, WI. Page 522. WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 3/20/2023.

On This Day (1913): Al Jolson topped the charts with “You Made Me Love You”

You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want to Do It) Al Jolson

Writer(s): Joseph McCarthy, James Monaco (see lyrics here) First Charted: September 20, 1913 Peak: 17 US, 13 GA, 2 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 (sheet music) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.64 video, -- streaming

Awards (Jolson): Click on award for more details. Awards (Judy Garland): Awards (Harry James):

About the Song: James Monaco, one of the songwriters, emigrated from Italy to the United States in the 1890s. He started out in Chicago as a self-taught ragtime pianist, billing himself as “Ragtime Jimmie.” LW He then went to New York where he became a Tin Pan Alley songwriter. For this song, Monaco collaborated with lyricist Joe McCarthy (“I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,”) who wrote for Broadway shows in the 1920s and ‘30s. LW The song is remembered for its chorus marked by its familiar melody. It is a “skillfully crafted lyric that perfectly matches its bluesy melody, and suited Jolson’s…capacity for melodrama.” LW It was the first of two songs Monaco composed for Al Jolson. He also wrote “Dirty Hands, Dirty Face” which was featured in 1927’s The Jazz Singer.” LW As “the world’s first talking picture” LW The Jazz Singer, was a defining moment in cinematic history and Jolson’s career, but he made a name for himself beyond that movie. Born Asa Yoelson in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jolson grew up in Washington, D.C. and found success as a vaudeville performer. He first charted in 1912, but got off to a fast start. “You Made Me Love You” was only his fifth hit, but fourth #1. Over 35 years of chart success, he topped the chart 23 times. PM However, it was this song which “was identified with him for the rest of his career.” JA William J. Halley had a #6 hit with his 1913 recording of the song. It also charted in 1940 (Bing Crosby, #25) and again in 1941 (Harry James, #5). Judy Garland covered it for the film The Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937) and Jolson tackled it again in his biopic The Jolson Story (1946). Doris Day sang it in 1955 for the Ruth Etting biopic Love Me or Leave Me. Jeanette MacDonald recorded the song in 1948, Patsy Cline gave it her touches in the 1950s, and Harry Nilsson put his spin on it in 1973. Resources: DJ David Jasen (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Routledge: Taylor & Francis, Inc. Page 222. LW Alan Lewens (2001). Popular Song – Soundtrack of the Century. Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 26. PM Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research, Inc: Menomonee Falls, WI. Page 233. Related Links: First posted 10/4/2014; last updated 9/6/2023.