Variations on a Theme: Swing Music

This month we are talking about swing music! This is one of my favorite genres of music, the tunes are just so catchy and upbeat. It’s music made for dancing!

1. “Anything Goes” by Cole Porter

This is a classic song by a classic writer. There are lyrics, of course, but I love the piano only version. It’s soothing and somehow also happy. Porter has written several classic jazz tunes that crooners have loved for years, this seems like the perfect way to open the playlist.

2. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Frankie Valli and co don’t usually cover jazz tunes, but this is a wonderful exception to the rule. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” was originally penned by Cole Porter, but it has been covered by nearly everyone in the past 100 years. Valli isn’t really a jazz man, but hey 60s boy band is close enough. This particular version of the song is different from most others as a result. Most strikingly are the harmonies that the boys use to accompany the melody. The result is a smooth sailing song that makes you sway every which way.

3. “Mack the Knife” by Ella Fitzgerald

Ella is my queen and I’m obsessed with her voice and everything about her. This is a really wonderful and unique cover of the tune. “Mack the Knife” is originally from “3-Penny Opera” and the whole point of that show is to put on a dingy and gritty opera, to contrast with the high-class ones that are more of the stereotype. It was also originally in German. Anyways so you’ve got this opera for the lower classes (hence the 3 penny part) that opens with a song about an assassin, not the most reputable of people. Anyways, Ella’s cover of this song is awesome and gloriously quirky. She actually forgets the lyrics partway through and just makes them up! I also don’t think I know of any other female jazz singers who cover this piece. It’s just plain fun!

4. “In A Mellow Tone” by Duke Ellington

And here we get to the master Duke Ellington. Ellington made the big band popular back before the Depression. He also arranged all of their tunes especially for the musicians playing any particular part. “In a Mellow Tone” is one of his pieces that isn’t especially complicated (most high school jazz bands play a version of it) but it still is so fun to hear because the swing is right on point. The entire group is so precise and together that it could just be a bunch of robots perfectly aligned.

5. “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra

No swing set would be complete without this song. I think that would lead to a riot. This Sinatra piece has been beloved for years, even by people who aren’t into swing music as intensely as me. I’ve heard a cappella groups perform this arrangement exactly, and jazz bands love to pull this chart out. There’s something about the lyrics that are a genius expression of love (“in other words…”) and the tune is still so upbeat and fun to dance to! Definitely a high point of the playlist as we hit the midline.

6. “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” by George Harrison

While not technically of the swing genre, this is traditionally a swing tune (the more common version is by Ella Fitzgerald). It’s just being given a bit of a more blues-y folks-y treatment here by the incredible ex-Beatle George, who is playing the ukulele! The ukulele was a bit of an obsession with George who fell for the fun little instrument and started collecting them, as well as playing them. Unfortunately I only know of a couple of recordings of him actually playing the instrument, but in my opinion this is the best one.

7. “Pennsylvania 6-5000” by Glen Miller

Glen Miller is another swing staple, known for his big band work. This is another tune that is fairly ubiquitous among high school jazz bands for its simple, yet catchy melody. It turns up at most swing dance events, so keep your ears peeled!

8. “All of Me” by Louis Armstrong

Armstrong has got to have one of the most distinctive voices in the jazz world, you can identify him almost instantly. In my opinion, he was a much better trumpet player than a singer, but you really can’t beat that distinctiveness. This is one of his best known songs, which he treats with a little New Orleans feel. This style is known for having multiple improvised lines through all of the different wind instruments, which you can hear at the beginning.

9. “I Get A Kick Out of You” by Eileen Rodgers

This is the version from the soundtrack to “Anything Goes” (specifically the 1962 revival) (in case you’re wondering the various revivals can be different). It’s the version that I first fell in love with back in high school when we were putting on the same musical with tons of fun tap dancing and singing. If you haven’t seen it, “Anything Goes” is this ridiculous Cole Porter classic about love on a ship with gangsters and cabaret singers! It’s one of my favorites.

10. “Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Buble

May as well end on a more modern note, this is that Buble song from a few years ago that everyone was singing for a while! It’s a rare example of a new swing song that still retains the upbeat melody and catchy rhythm. Perfect for the finale, and we’ll see what is yet to come for the swing genre!

So that’s all for this month, next month we will be doing something slightly different and discussing Beatles music! I’ll be putting together a playlist of my favorite Beatles songs from across their albums, so mark your calendars for that!