Jimmy Van Heusen a friend to Bing and Frank

Popular music composer, Jimmy Van Heusen (1913-1990), had a unique position in the swing/big band era as a friend to both of the two top crooners of the era. Jimmy, first, was a good friend to Bing Crosby. They worked together on most of the Road pictures and "Going My Way.' Second, he was a very close friend and, by some accounts a mentor to Frank Sinatra. Jimmy was proud to say he loved three things (note:This was before his first and only marriage at the age of 56)...Booze, broads and Sinatra. Van Heusen's role in Frank's career and life was major. Jimmy told me a number of stories of their relationship during the time I was preparing to underwrite (DuPont) a network television special for the 1980 season. The program was to be a tribute to the music of Jimmy Van Heusen. The stars were to be Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra. Unfortunately, Frank received a movie offer that he couldn't refuse (The First Deadly Sin). It turned out to be his final film. Back to the major influence: During the Ava Gardner divorce period, Jimmy said that he saved Frank twice from suicide attempts...it doesn't get any more major than that.
In regard to music, Jimmy and Frank seemed to be joined at the hip. Frank, according to my count, recorded more Van Heusen tunes than any other composer. Cole Porter, was probably, second. Jimmy, of course, was handsomely rewarded, beyond substantial royalties, with Oscars and an Emmy. Here is a list of the Van Heusen songs sung by Frank Sinatra that has been compiled by jimmyvanheusen.com. Pictured are Jimmy (seated) and Sammy Cahn.
 Song Title
A Friend of Yours                                                                 
Accidents Will Happen
All My Tomorrows
All The Way
All This and Heaven Too
An Old Fashioned Christmas
Aren't You Glad You're You
Barbara
Bells of Christmas (Greensleeves)
Boys' Night Out
But Beautiful
California
Call Me Irresponsible
Come Blow Your Horn
Come Dance With Me
Come Fly With Me
Come Waltz With Me
Deep In A Dream
Dick Haymes, Dick Todd and Como
Do You Know Why
Don't Be A Do-Badder
Early American
Empty Tables
Everybody Has The Right To Be Wrong
Here's That Rainy Day
High Hopes
How Are You Fixed For Love
I Could Have Told You
I Couldn't Care Less
I Like To Lead When I Dance
I Thought About You
I Wouldn’t Trade Christmas
If You Please
If You Stub Your Toe On The Moon
I'll On Miss Her When I Think Of Her
Imagination
Indiscreet
It Could Happen To You
It Gets Lonely Early
It's Always You
It's Nice To Go Traveling
Life Is So Peculiar
Like Someone In Love
Look Of Love
Look To Your Heart
Looking For Yesterday
Love and Marriage
(Love Is) The Tender Trap
Mister Booze
Moonlight Becomes You
My Kind Of Town
Name It and Its Yours
Nancy
Not As A Stranger
Nothing In Common
Oh,You Crazy Moon
Only The Lonely
Our Town
Pocketful of Miracles
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Ring a Ding Ding
Same Old Song and Dance
September of My Years
Shake Down The Stars
Star
Style
Sunday, Monday Or Always
Sunshine Cake
Sure Thing
Swinging On A Star
The Impatient Years
The Last Dance
The Man With The Golden Arm
The Second Time Around
The Twelve Days of Christmas
There's A Flaw In My Flue
They Came To Cordura
Tina
To Love and Be Loved
When Is Sometime
When No One Cares
You Lucky People You
You My Love
You Never Had It So Good
You'll Get Yours

The Andrews Sisters-'Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree' a WW2 favorite

 

The most played music of the World War Two period was, what I call the "parting: song. These songs were the lament of lovers parted by military duty. Would they ever meet again? Would the girl back home wait for the boy's return?  One of the most popular songs of this type "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me" was a big hit for  the Andrews Sisters, Patti, Laverne and Maxine.

Here is part of the lyrics;

Don't sit under the apple tree

With anyone else but me

Anyone else but me

Anyone else but me

NO! NO! NO!

Don't sit under the apple tree

With anyone else but me

Till I come marching home.



Don't go walking down lovers lane

With anyone else but me

Anyone else but me

Anyone else but me

NO! NO! NO!

Don't go walking down lovers lane

With anyone else but me

Till I come marching home.

In the 1940's, the Andrews Sisters were, without a doubt, America’s most popular female singing group. Patty, the youngest sister, was a loud and energetic blond who headed the group with her confident vocals. The middle sister was Maxine, a brunette, whose harmonic range gave the impression of four voices instead of three. Finally, completing the trio was the eldest, Laverne, a strong willed red head with a witty sense of humor and an eye for fashion.



They had major hits in nearly all types of music ranging from swing to country-western.  The trio were successful in radio, Hollywood movies ( several Abbott and Costello comedies) and on Broadway.

Here are the Andrews Sisters singing "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (with anyone else but me)" 

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Frank Sinatra Biography-1

Frank Sinatra Biography-1

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One of Frank Sinatra's classic recordings-Fools Rush In

One of Frank Sinatra's classic recordings-Fools Rush In

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Frank Sinatra's version of Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out Of You"

FRANK SINATRA CD

Here is Frank Sinatra singing Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out Of You."It is one the greatest recordings from the Great American Songbook. Note that Frank enjoyed  playing with the lyrics.
First, here are the original lyrics;

My story is much too sad to be told,
But practically ev'rything leaves me totally cold
The only exception I know is the case
When I'm out on a quiet spree
Fighting vainly the old ennui
And I suddenly turn and see
Your fabulous face.

I get no kick from champagne.
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all,
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you?

Some get a kick from cocaine.
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
That would bore me terrific'ly too
Yet I get a kick out of you.

I get a kick ev'rytime I see
You standing there before me.
I get a kick though it's clear to me
You obviously don't adore me.

I get no kick in a plane,
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do,
Yet I get a kick out of you.