Yesterday marked the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere. I don’t know about where you live, but here it definitely felt like summer, with temperatures in the low 90s and high humidity. After a brief (3 minute) foray out in the morning to water the flowers, I decided to spend the rest of the day inside in breathable comfort! Anyway, I thought a song to bring in the season would be apt, and there were several to choose from, but … nobody does it quite like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
This song was recorded by more artists than I can count on all my fingers and toes, including Mahalia Jackson, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, Mahalia Jackson, Miles Davis, Ricky Nelson, John Coltrane, Julie London, Angelique Kidjo, and Frank Sinatra, to name just a few.
With at least 25,000 versions, Porgy and Bess’s opening aria, Summertime, is the most covered song in the world.
Written in 1934, Summertime was one of the first compositions George Gershwin worked on for his brand-new opera Porgy and Bess. The jazz-inspired song is a lullaby for Clara to sing to her child, and it is reprised several more times throughout the opera. The versatile hit went on to be covered by thousands of artists, in every genre from disco to reggae. Unfortunately, Gershwin wouldn’t live to see his song become the world-famous one it is today.
Up until the release of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s Jazz album, Porgy and Bess, Summertime was still relatively unknown.
Fitzgerald’s cover quickly propelled the song into the limelight, not only cementing it as a jazz staple, but also as globally recognisable hit. The opera was even turned into a film two years later (featuring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge in the title roles), further propelling the song for greatness.
Summertime
Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
Summertime and the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high
Your daddy’s rich and your ma is good lookin’
So hush, little baby, baby, don’t you cry
One of these mornin’s, you’re gonna rise up singin’
Then you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky
But ’til that mornin’, there is nothin’ can harm you
With Daddy and Mummy, Mummy standing by
Don’t you cry…
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Ira Gershwin / George Gershwin / Dubose Heyward
A classic song.
Generally draws the very best out of the singer. If it’s a bad version then they should quit trying to making a living out of singing.
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Agreed … and I didn’t listen to all 2,000+ versions, so I can’t say for sure, but I’d bet there were probably some pretty awful ones in the mix.
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Best sunk without trace.
Like Sid Vicious’s version of ‘My Way’
(Talk about Emperor’s New Clothes)
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Naturally, curiosity got the better of me and I had to go listen to Mr. Vicious’ version of Sinatra’s song … BLECH!!! That was horrible!!! GAWK!
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The poor guy just was not suited to the frenetic and manipulative world of the music industry.
‘They’ saw they could manufacture a freak with marketable value, conned him and the folk who bought the records, made big bucks and walked away.
He never stood a chance.
Now Johnny Lydon (aka ‘Rotten’) being a brighter fellow, saw ‘how it was’, played it, nurtured his talent and is a respected albeit outspoken artist. (whether he is a ‘nice’ guy I wouldn’t know)
And there’s your difference
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Well that’s rather sad. I imagine his is not the only such story, either. As for Johnny Lydon, I had to look him up … never heard of him! He seems to have done alright for himself, though!
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Yeah both in the notorious Sex Pistols (never impressed me much though-seen it all before).
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It will be a long hot summer, perfect song and one of my fav versions. ❤
Notable mention: Janis '68!
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That song has southern summer all through it. It’s one of my favorites. Thanks, Jill. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It surely does! I’m so glad you liked it!
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Jill, outstanding song by a great writer and sung by so many. It is a treasure. Keith
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I was amazed by how many times this song has been covered! I still like this one, or the one Ella Fitzgerald does by herself, the best. It is, indeed, a treasure.
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Hard to beat Ella.
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Nostalgic.
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Indeed … and sultry, like the way you feel on the hottest of summer days, unwilling to move very fast or far.
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Thank you Jill. A good song, a great rendition. But for me the top is Janis. She pushes her voice beyond where it wants to go, and you can feel her pain. For me, no one does it like Ms Joplin. Happy Summer to you and yours.
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I haven’t listened to the Janis Joplin version … I will do so tonight, though. Happy summer to you and Gail and the furry babes, too!
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Love the standards too.Good one Jill.
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Good Sunday soul music, eh? Glad you liked it!
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😀
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Not my favourite genre by any means but either of these two can make music whistling into a paper bag. The film was excellent too Sidney Poitier.in a great role.
Cwtch
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Not mine, either, but who can resist Louie & Ella? You put it well, saying they can make music ‘whistling into a paper bag’. I haven’t seen the film … guess I should add it to my list, eh? Glad you enjoyed the music today!
Cwtch
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