Well, it’s about time I broke out the artillery!
What can I say about Frank Sinatra? Enough to fill a book, and there are plenty of bios written about Frank. The song I have selected for you today is not Sinatra’s signature piece, “My Way”, nor is it one of his tributes to New York or Chicago.
Nope, I decided to go with one of Frank’s songs that has some real grit to it, a great little melancholy number with a sad story attached. And I chose this song specifically to show off Sinatra’s acting chops.
Most of you know that Sinatra starred in quite a few movies but did you know he won an Oscar for his performance in “From Here To Eternity”? Today’s song perfectly showcases Frank’s Oscar-winning acting ability. Have I given you enough clues to guess which song I’m talking about? It’s the legendary “One For My Baby”, written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer and first recorded by Frank in 1947.
In the video you’re about to see, Frank is singing live in front of hundreds of people and yet he manages to turn the song into an intimate conversation. Here now is the one and only Frank Sinatra performing “One For My Baby” live at Royal Festival Hall in London.
Just a man pouring out his heart to his confidant … a bartender named Joe. This is the consummate showman, putting 100% of himself into his songs, transforming each one into a musical vignette. In my book he was pretty great!
Now for the easy-peasy question of the day:
What is your favorite Frank Sinatra song?
Share a comment or a video, if you like. For me it’s “Nancy“, of course! The song, written in 1942 and recorded by Frank in 1944, was originally called “Bessie (With the Laughing Face)”; the name change was inspired by Frank’s daughter, Nancy Sinatra.
When I was a kid, I thought Frank was singing this one just for me. ☺️
That’s it for today In The Groove, my friends. It’s always a blast spending Tuesdays with you!
I’ll be here next time; hope you’ll be here, too.
See you on the flip side.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
The Elephant's Trunk 
Nobody has mentioned my favourite, which just happens to be … New York, New York!
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You are so right, Keith! I think you know what that means! Here’s my hometown! 😀
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Wow – I have so many Frank favorites. Night and Day, Fly Me To the Moon, The Coffee Song, Please Be Kind, The Way You Look Tonight, Blue Moon, My Blue Heaven, Paper Moon, the list goes on and on. He had so many wonderful songs ….. One For My Baby rips my heart out every time I hear it!
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And the list goes on and on and on! Two from “Only The Lonely” that get me every time are “Willow Weep For Me” and “Angel Eyes”. How about I play one of your faves, Keith?
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Sinatra’s Only the Lonely album is a masterpiece! Those two (Willow and Angel) are SO good! 🙂
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I’ve always liked Time after Time, I can see my parents dancing to this one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZBxxQxWBk
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It’s a glorious tune, D, and such beautiful memories to have! ❤︎
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Am I glad you broke out the artillery, Nancy!!
A perfect, Groovy, piece for Ol’ Blue Eyes.
And the cherry on top: your connection with ” Nancy”.
An interesting debate is whether we can have an intimate connection with an artist we have never seen perform live… (more about that on Friday; till then let’s just say that I think yes, we can).
My pick will be the one where he sings “Some people get their kicks
Stomping on a dream
But I don’t let it, let it get me down”
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WOOT! WOOT!
Nicky, Nicky, Nicky! There are SO many subtle BOHICAs infiltrating your message, I absolutely adore it!! You’re so right about being able to ‘love’ a performer without having seen him/her live. Why, I never saw Chopin but I still swoon over his piano pieces!
Yes, some people do enjoy ‘stomping on a dream’; not me! I keep doing my thing whether they like it or not. 😂 ❤︎
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😂😂😎❤
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I must admit I dont know a lot of Sinatra’s music, but Come Fly With Me always stuck in my head
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Morning, Deb! That’s another great tune. Actually, you’re not going to get me to say “That’s a lousy song!” … I love all Frank’s work (with the exception of his cover of The Beatles’ “Something” but that’s a conversation for another time). This is one song that’s traditionally FRANK! Great choice!
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You do make it difficult to choose. I brought up a list of his songs and the first one was “All of Me” so I guess I choose all of them. 🙂
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Sighs! I’m so happy to see you here today! Welcome!
You chose a real winner today. All Of Me is one of those great tunes Frank does so well, especially in his live act. A great choice, Sighs!
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Tonight, I cannot remember the song’s title, but includes the line “when I was 21”. I’ve been looking at photographs of old friends . . .
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Morning, A! I believe you’re thinking of “It Was A Very Good Year” … and what A Very Good Song that was – perfect for reflecting on old flames and good friends from the past! Frank did a lot of standards – that’s what he’s know for – but this was not an old standard. It was a more modern song which was a big hit for him. It’s the melancholy tale of an aging man looking back on the various stages of his life … a real stunner and Frank does it so very well! Thanks, A!
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“. . . with all that perfumed hair . . .”
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A truly romantic song.
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This comment is irrelevant I am sure, and you may not be interested in this particular episode, “Wichita Lineman: Talking with Tunesmith Jimmy Webb” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8pRKAgMaP4), but do know about Rick Beato?
Allen
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Fascinating stuff here, Allen. Jimmy Webb’s repertoire is incredible! Rick Beato is a new name to me. Compelling type of personality. Thanks for the share!
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Ever since email became available, I guess that was 30 years ago, I have been sharing things with a circle of friends, One called it a reverse blog of sorts.
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My favourite is High Hopes! It always makes me smile.
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Morning, Misky! You don’t see Frank like this often; I love it! It’s so natural and that kid is adorable. They really look like they’re having fun together. It’s from the movie “A Hole in The Head” and this kid (Eddie Hodges) plays widower Frank’s son.
I can see why this would make you happy, Misky; it’s adorable with a positive message and a catchy tune. Great video! ❤︎
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He’d stopped performing by the time I came along, so I only know his songs retrospectively. So while I can appreciate his smooth voice, I don’t have the same affection for him that I might have had if I’d seen him perform live, say.
One song of his I always liked was the one he did with his daughter, Somethin’ Stupid, but again I’ve only seen the vid on YT. I’ve got a feeling that was about the time I was born. It got revived by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman when I was older.
So much of this hangs on whether we have personal memories or not.
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Morning, Pete. I absolutely dig where you’re coming from, Pete, and agree 100%.
Something Stupid was a charming song with delightful harmonies and easy enough for Nancy to sing with her dad. Let’s face it; she wasn’t a sterling chanteuse but she held her own in this one. It was a real hit for the father/daughter duo back then.
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I think the weird thing about that song is that it is a father/daughter combo singing about romantic love. I know, I know, it’s just a song, but it makes me chuckle.
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You’re probably not the only one, Pete.
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