Sony/ATV’s "Musical Notes" #43 - Peggy Lee
Sep 14, 2009
A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
**********
PEGGY LEE sings Sony/ATV!
PEGGY LEE (1920-2002) was an unforgettable singer. She possessed a seductive, sultry vocal style which drew you in closer as she delivered songs in a wide range of styles and tempos…from jazz and latin to swing and blues. Her career lasted many years starting with time as a band singer with Benny Goodman in the 1940’s thru to her countless years recording with such outstanding arranger/conductors as Nelson Riddle & Gordon Jenkins. She also wrote songs herself and as you’ll see from the songlist below, recorded compositions by contemporary writers as well as vintage material.
Among her most interesting collaborations were the songs which emanated from her work with Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller. The first standout from that period was I’M A WOMAN: one of the best examples of female empowerment in song lyrics:
“’Cause I’m A Woman, W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again”
Mike Stoller & Jerry Leiber
Jerry & Mike cut a wonderful album with Peggy in 1975 titled “Mirrors” which was released on A&M. The songs which they wrote for that project are indicated by an asterisk in the list below.
The other outstanding track from Leiber & Stoller’s sessions with Ms. Lee was IS THAT ALL THERE IS: a dramatic story narrated and sung by Peggy as if it was almost a mini-opera. Arranged & conducted by Randy Newman, the record opens with Peggy setting the scene by speaking these words:
“I remember when I was a little girl, our house caught on fire. I’ll never forget the look on my father’s face as he gathered me up in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement. I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames. And when it was all over, I said to myself: 'Is that all there is to a fire?'"
And then she sings the chorus:
“Is That All There Is, is that all there is
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
If that’s all there is”
This outstanding song has been cut by other singers – most notably by Bette Midler on her 2005 tribute album “The Peggy Lee Songbook” on Columbia.
Here is a list of Sony/ATV songs recorded by Peggy
Lee:
BABY DON’T BE MAD AT ME (David/Freeman)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1948) US #21 Pop
BROTHER LOVE’S TRAVELLING SALVATION SHOW (Diamond)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
*THE CASE OF M.J. (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Torme/Wells)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI)
CLOUDY MORNING (McCarthy Jr./Fisher)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1963)
*DON JUAN (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
EASY LIVING (Robin/Rainger)
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1953)
FANTASTICO (Keller/Sherman)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
GOLDEN EARRINGS (Young/Livingston/Evans)
“There's a story the gypsies know is true
That when your love wears golden earrings,
He belongs to you.
An old love story that's known to very few,
But if you wear those golden earrings,
Love will come to you.”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1947) US #2 Pop
A HARD DAY’S NIGHT (Lennon/McCartney)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1965)
*I AIN’T HERE (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
I CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU (Gibson)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI)
I GO TO SLEEP (Ray Davies)
“When I look up from my pillow/I dream you are there with me
Though you are far away/I know you’ll always be near to me
I Go To Sleep, sleep/And imagine that you’re there with me”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1965)
I GOT IT BAD AND THAT AIN’T GOOD (Ellington/Webster)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Peggy Lee
(Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #25 Pop
I HEAR MUSIC (Loesser/Lane)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
I LET A SONG GO OUT OF MY HEART (Ellington/Redmond/Nemo/Mills)
“I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
It was the sweetest melody
I know I lost heaven 'cause you were the song”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1949)
*I REMEMBER (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
I REMEMBER YOU (Mercer/Schertzinger)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
I WANNA BE LOVED(Heyman/Green/Rose)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
I WISH I DIDN’T LOVE YOU SO (Loesser)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1961)
I’M A WOMAN (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1962) US #54 Pop in ‘63
I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT (Ellington/James/Hodges/George)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
I’M GONNA LAUGH YOU RIGHT OUT OF MY LIFE (McCarthy Jr./Coleman)
“Laugh and forget this affair
Guess I was foolish to care”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI)
*I’VE GOT THEM FEELIN’ TOO GOOD TODAY BLUES (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
IF I SHOULD LOSE YOU(Robin/Rainger)
“If I Should Lose You, the stars would fall from the sky
If I should lose you, the leaves would wither and die”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1957)
IS THAT ALL THERE IS (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969) US #11 Pop
ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? (Rodgers/Hart)
By Peggy Lee & George Shearing (Capitol/EMI: 1959)
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (Burke/Van Heusen)
Hide your heart from sight/Lock your dreams at night,
It Could Happen To You.
Don't count stars or you might stumble.
Someone drops a sigh and down you'll tumble.”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
JUMP FOR JOY (Ellington/Kuller/Webster)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
JUST SQUEEZE ME (BUT DON’T TEASE ME)(Ellington/Gaines)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
KANSAS CITY (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1962)
*A LITTLE WHITE SHIP (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD (Lennon/McCartney)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol: 1970)
*LONGINGS FOR A SIMPLER TIME (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER (Robin/Gensler)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol transcription)
LOVE LETTERS (Young/Heyman)
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1954)
LOVER (Rodgers/Hart)
Lover when you’re near me and I hear you speak my name,
Softly in my ear you breathe a flame.”
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1952) US #3 Pop
MAKE IT WITH YOU (Gates)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol: 1970)
MOHAIR SAM(Frazier)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1966)
MOMENTS LIKE THIS (Loesser/Lane)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
MY OLD FLAME (Coslow/Johnston)
y Old Flame, I can’t even think of his name.
But it’s funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame”
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Peggy Lee (Columbia: 1941)
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1956) & (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
MY SILENT LOVE (Heyman/Suesse)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1963)
PLEASE SEND ME SOMEONE TO LOVE (Mayfield)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
*PROFESSOR HAUPTMANN’S PERFORMING DOGS (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
*READY TO BEGIN AGAIN (MANYA’S SONG)(Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
RELEASE ME (Miller/Williams/Yount)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
SATIN DOLL (Ellington/Mercer/Strayhorn)
“Cigarette holder which wigs me
Over my shoulder, she digs me
Out cattin’ - that Satin Doll.
Baby shall we go out skippin’
Careful amigo, you’re flippin’
Speaks Latin - that Satin Doll.”
By Peggy Lee & George Shearing (Capitol/EMI: 1959)
*SAY IT (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
*SOME CATS KNOWM (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
*TANGO (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC (Mercer/Arlen)
By Peggy Lee (‘live’ recording)
WE’RE ONE (Roberts)
By Peggy Lee (Platinum Disc)
WHAT I DID FOR LOVE (Hamlisch/Kleban)
By Peggy Lee (Polydor: 1977)
WHEN HE MAKES MUSIC (Segal/Fisher)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
WHISTLE FOR HAPPINESS (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
YOU’RE MINE, YOU (Heyman/Green)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally, two Sony/ATV-related Anniversaries…
(1) “Abbey Road “ Album Cover
This Saturday, August 8, marks the 40th Anniversary of the taking of this famous photo of The Beatles crossing the street outside EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in St. John’s Wood, London. The shot was famously used as the front cover of “Abbey Road”, the legendary album which was released on Parlophone in the UK in late September ’69 and on Apple in the US on October 1st.
2) Woodstock
This month also marks the 40th Anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival in White Lake, New York. Among the many performers was Joe Cocker who closed his set with the Beatles song WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS.
Also playing that day were Crosby, Stills & Nash whose set included SUITE: JUDY BLUE EYES, GUINNEVERE and MARRAKESH EXPRESS
David, Graham & Stephen were also joined by Neil Young and together they performed WOODEN SHIPS.
The above mentioned performances are included on Rhino’s new 6-CD box-set “Woodstock 40 Years On: Back To Yasgur’s Farm."
Click here for Associated Playlist
**********
US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
**********
8/09
Sep 14, 2009
A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
**********
PEGGY LEE sings Sony/ATV!
PEGGY LEE (1920-2002) was an unforgettable singer. She possessed a seductive, sultry vocal style which drew you in closer as she delivered songs in a wide range of styles and tempos…from jazz and latin to swing and blues. Her career lasted many years starting with time as a band singer with Benny Goodman in the 1940’s thru to her countless years recording with such outstanding arranger/conductors as Nelson Riddle & Gordon Jenkins. She also wrote songs herself and as you’ll see from the songlist below, recorded compositions by contemporary writers as well as vintage material.
Among her most interesting collaborations were the songs which emanated from her work with Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller. The first standout from that period was I’M A WOMAN: one of the best examples of female empowerment in song lyrics:
“’Cause I’m A Woman, W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again”
Mike Stoller & Jerry Leiber
Jerry & Mike cut a wonderful album with Peggy in 1975 titled “Mirrors” which was released on A&M. The songs which they wrote for that project are indicated by an asterisk in the list below.
The other outstanding track from Leiber & Stoller’s sessions with Ms. Lee was IS THAT ALL THERE IS: a dramatic story narrated and sung by Peggy as if it was almost a mini-opera. Arranged & conducted by Randy Newman, the record opens with Peggy setting the scene by speaking these words:
“I remember when I was a little girl, our house caught on fire. I’ll never forget the look on my father’s face as he gathered me up in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement. I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames. And when it was all over, I said to myself: 'Is that all there is to a fire?'"
And then she sings the chorus:
“Is That All There Is, is that all there is
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
If that’s all there is”
This outstanding song has been cut by other singers – most notably by Bette Midler on her 2005 tribute album “The Peggy Lee Songbook” on Columbia.
Here is a list of Sony/ATV songs recorded by Peggy
Lee:
BABY DON’T BE MAD AT ME (David/Freeman)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1948) US #21 Pop
BROTHER LOVE’S TRAVELLING SALVATION SHOW (Diamond)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
*THE CASE OF M.J. (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Torme/Wells)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI)
CLOUDY MORNING (McCarthy Jr./Fisher)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1963)
*DON JUAN (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
EASY LIVING (Robin/Rainger)
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1953)
FANTASTICO (Keller/Sherman)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
GOLDEN EARRINGS (Young/Livingston/Evans)
“There's a story the gypsies know is true
That when your love wears golden earrings,
He belongs to you.
An old love story that's known to very few,
But if you wear those golden earrings,
Love will come to you.”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1947) US #2 Pop
A HARD DAY’S NIGHT (Lennon/McCartney)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1965)
*I AIN’T HERE (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
I CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU (Gibson)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI)
I GO TO SLEEP (Ray Davies)
“When I look up from my pillow/I dream you are there with me
Though you are far away/I know you’ll always be near to me
I Go To Sleep, sleep/And imagine that you’re there with me”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1965)
I GOT IT BAD AND THAT AIN’T GOOD (Ellington/Webster)
By Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Peggy Lee
(Columbia/Sony: 1941) US #25 Pop
I HEAR MUSIC (Loesser/Lane)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
I LET A SONG GO OUT OF MY HEART (Ellington/Redmond/Nemo/Mills)
“I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
It was the sweetest melody
I know I lost heaven 'cause you were the song”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1949)
*I REMEMBER (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
I REMEMBER YOU (Mercer/Schertzinger)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
I WANNA BE LOVED(Heyman/Green/Rose)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
I WISH I DIDN’T LOVE YOU SO (Loesser)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1961)
I’M A WOMAN (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1962) US #54 Pop in ‘63
I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT (Ellington/James/Hodges/George)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
I’M GONNA LAUGH YOU RIGHT OUT OF MY LIFE (McCarthy Jr./Coleman)
“Laugh and forget this affair
Guess I was foolish to care”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI)
*I’VE GOT THEM FEELIN’ TOO GOOD TODAY BLUES (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
IF I SHOULD LOSE YOU(Robin/Rainger)
“If I Should Lose You, the stars would fall from the sky
If I should lose you, the leaves would wither and die”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1957)
IS THAT ALL THERE IS (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969) US #11 Pop
ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? (Rodgers/Hart)
By Peggy Lee & George Shearing (Capitol/EMI: 1959)
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (Burke/Van Heusen)
Hide your heart from sight/Lock your dreams at night,
It Could Happen To You.
Don't count stars or you might stumble.
Someone drops a sigh and down you'll tumble.”
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
JUMP FOR JOY (Ellington/Kuller/Webster)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
JUST SQUEEZE ME (BUT DON’T TEASE ME)(Ellington/Gaines)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
KANSAS CITY (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1962)
*A LITTLE WHITE SHIP (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD (Lennon/McCartney)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol: 1970)
*LONGINGS FOR A SIMPLER TIME (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER (Robin/Gensler)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol transcription)
LOVE LETTERS (Young/Heyman)
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1954)
LOVER (Rodgers/Hart)
Lover when you’re near me and I hear you speak my name,
Softly in my ear you breathe a flame.”
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1952) US #3 Pop
MAKE IT WITH YOU (Gates)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol: 1970)
MOHAIR SAM(Frazier)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1966)
MOMENTS LIKE THIS (Loesser/Lane)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
MY OLD FLAME (Coslow/Johnston)
y Old Flame, I can’t even think of his name.
But it’s funny now and then
How my thoughts go flashing back again
To my old flame”
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra/Vocal: Peggy Lee (Columbia: 1941)
By Peggy Lee (Decca/Universal: 1956) & (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
MY SILENT LOVE (Heyman/Suesse)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1963)
PLEASE SEND ME SOMEONE TO LOVE (Mayfield)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
*PROFESSOR HAUPTMANN’S PERFORMING DOGS (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
*READY TO BEGIN AGAIN (MANYA’S SONG)(Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
RELEASE ME (Miller/Williams/Yount)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
SATIN DOLL (Ellington/Mercer/Strayhorn)
“Cigarette holder which wigs me
Over my shoulder, she digs me
Out cattin’ - that Satin Doll.
Baby shall we go out skippin’
Careful amigo, you’re flippin’
Speaks Latin - that Satin Doll.”
By Peggy Lee & George Shearing (Capitol/EMI: 1959)
*SAY IT (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
*SOME CATS KNOWM (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
*TANGO (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (A&M/Universal: 1975)
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC (Mercer/Arlen)
By Peggy Lee (‘live’ recording)
WE’RE ONE (Roberts)
By Peggy Lee (Platinum Disc)
WHAT I DID FOR LOVE (Hamlisch/Kleban)
By Peggy Lee (Polydor: 1977)
WHEN HE MAKES MUSIC (Segal/Fisher)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
WHISTLE FOR HAPPINESS (Leiber/Stoller)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1969)
YOU’RE MINE, YOU (Heyman/Green)
By Peggy Lee (Capitol/EMI: 1958)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally, two Sony/ATV-related Anniversaries…
(1) “Abbey Road “ Album Cover
This Saturday, August 8, marks the 40th Anniversary of the taking of this famous photo of The Beatles crossing the street outside EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in St. John’s Wood, London. The shot was famously used as the front cover of “Abbey Road”, the legendary album which was released on Parlophone in the UK in late September ’69 and on Apple in the US on October 1st.
2) Woodstock
This month also marks the 40th Anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival in White Lake, New York. Among the many performers was Joe Cocker who closed his set with the Beatles song WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS.
Also playing that day were Crosby, Stills & Nash whose set included SUITE: JUDY BLUE EYES, GUINNEVERE and MARRAKESH EXPRESS
David, Graham & Stephen were also joined by Neil Young and together they performed WOODEN SHIPS.
The above mentioned performances are included on Rhino’s new 6-CD box-set “Woodstock 40 Years On: Back To Yasgur’s Farm."
Click here for Associated Playlist
**********
US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
**********
8/09
