Step back in time with a collection of tunes from one of the most dynamic decades of the 20th century. This collection is not just a set of tunes; it's a portal to an age of jazz clubs, speakeasies, and a generation dancing towards modernity.
Gardel's 1927 Adios Muchachos tango was apparently inspired by an evening with friends that ended with the parting words "Adiós muchachos." In collaboration with Argentinian poet César Vedani he elaborated these words into a compete piece. In it the parting is more melancholic—it consists of a dying person reminiscing about his life whilst saying goodbye to his friends. The song went on to become hugely popular, with over a hundred commercial recordings in existence. It also appears in numerous films, including "Scent of a Woman" and "The Full Monty."
'O surdato 'nnammurato ("The Soldier in Love") was written by Enrico Cannio in 1915 with lyrics by Aniello Califano. The song describes the sadness of a soldier who is fighting at the front during World War I and who pines for his beloved. Originally Cannio's sheet music was published with piano accompaniment, but in recordings, on 78rpm, then LP, Neapolitan standards such as "O surdato" have usually been orchestrated to suit each tenor. The song is used as the anthem of S.S.C. Napoli.
'April Showers' was written by Louis Silvers with music by B.G. De Sylva for the 1921 musical 'Bombo'. It became particularly associated with Al Jolson, though has been covered by many other artists. It has also featured in a number of movies, including 'A Plantation Act' (1926), 'April Showers' (1948) and 'Wet Hare' (1962). It was also famously used in a comedy routine by British comedians Morecambe and Wise.
CHORUS LYRICS: Though April showers may come your way, They bring the flowers that bloom in May So if it's raining, have no regrets Because it isn't raining rain you know, (It's raining violets,) And where you see clouds up on the hills, You soon will see crowds of daffodils, So keep on looking for a blue bird And list'ning for his song, Whenever April showers come along. Though April long.
'Baby Face', written in Tin Pan Alley by Harry Ask and Benny Davis, is a popular 1926 jazz song. A number one hit in the year it was written it has been subsequently covered by artists including Little Richard, Paul McCartney, Guy Lombardo and Julie Andrews. It also featured on The Muppets second album, performed by Muppet Chickens.
CHORUS LYRICS: Baby face, you've got the cutest little baby face There's not another one could take your place, Baby face My poor heart is jumpin', you sure have started somethin' Baby face, I'm up in heaven when I'm in your fond embrace I didn't need a shove, 'cause I just fell in love With your pretty baby face
10.
Kullak - Grandmother Tells a Ghost-Story (Grossmutter erzahlt ei...
If you've ever been told a ghost story by someone close to you, you'll recognise the creeping feeling of fascination and dread as you listen. This piece captures that atmosphere really well. The composer Theodor Kullak was also known as a great teacher.
12.
Jack Judge - It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary
"It's a Long Way to Tipperary" is a British music hall song co-written by Jack Judge and Henry James "Harry" Williams. Although there has been a long-standing controversy over authorship. It was originally penned as a ballad, it was the publisher, Bert Feldman, who suggested it should become a marching song. It became popular among soldiers in the First World War and is remembered as a song of that war.
"Cubanita" was composed by Chiquinha Gonzaga in 1898. It is a habanera, a type of dance that derives from from the French contradanse (itself derived from the English country dance). The contradanse was brought to the Americas by colonists, developing its own distinct style in Cuba, becoming, in fact, the first Cuban dance to gain international popularity.
'O surdato 'nnammurato ("The Soldier in Love") was written by Enrico Cannio in 1915 with lyrics by Aniello Califano. The song describes the sadness of a soldier who is fighting at the front during World War I and who pines for his beloved. Originally Cannio's sheet music was published with piano accompaniment, but in recordings, on 78rpm, then LP, Neapolitan standards such as "O surdato" have usually been orchestrated to suit each tenor. The song is used as the anthem of S.S.C. Napoli.
"Over There" is a 1917 song written by George M. Cohan that was popular with the United States military and public during both world wars. It is a patriotic song designed to galvanize American young men to enlist and fight the "Hun." The song is best remembered for a line in its chorus: "The Yanks are coming."
