The Top Six Most Well-Written Songs of the Jazz Era.

Hello my vintage lovelies! Those of you who have read my about page know that this is mostly going to be a vintage music blog, but I have yet to post anything about vintage music. That changes today!

I've decided to list in no particular order what I believe to be the top six best songs of the jazz era. I am judging on how well-written they are, and their overall quality. This is not a list of my favorite songs, but I do listen to and love all of the ones mentioned.

1. Stardust

This song is absolutely beautiful. The words are poetic but not tacky, and they match the mood of the tune to a tee. How this song, with its dreamlike fluidity, was composed by Hoagy Carmichael, the same man who wrote Huggin' and a Chalkin' is a complete mystery to me. It has two seperate parts to it, and often only one of the parts is performed. For instance, Frank Sinatra did a solo recording of only the first part, while in his earlier days he sang just the final part with the Pied Pipers for Tommy Dorsey. Nat King Cole did a lovely version that included both parts. My personal favorite version is the Tommy Dorsey version. Jo Stafford and her Pipers add the perfect smooth background to Sinatra's early voice, and Tommy Dorsey's muted arrangement didn't overpower the beauty of the song,

2. Once in Awhile

Written by Bud Green and composed by Michael Edwards, this song has a great concept turned into lyrics that read like a poem. "I think that I'd be contented with yesterday's memories, knowing you think of me once in a while." The concept is not something that I think about often, but this one was too original to miss. The best version of this song is sung by the Pied Pipers. As of now, the Pied Pipers are two for two! Yes, folks, they are that good. I personally listened to each version and came up with the best. The Dinning Sisters and Patti Page have good versions too, but this one is unmatched. I feel like this song sounds best when it has a group vocal, thus my three favorite versions having more than one singer. The Pipers have the tightest harmonies, and the arangement was reminiscent of the Tommy Dorsey hit.

3. All The Cats Join In

This is my favorite of the songs on this list. It's practically my theme song. It has everything that everyone loves about Sing Sing Sing, except that it seems to fit better into one cohesive song. Sing Sing Sing had so many different parts that it didn't sound like the same song throughout, but while this one is by no means repetitive, all of the different parts just fit right. Not to mention that it is the perfect song to swing to! The Benny Goodman version is the original, and all of the others do not come close.

4. Cry Me a River

This one is all about the tune, although the cold lyrics do live up to it. It practically gives me the shivers! A few people did good versions of this song but Julie London's soft, almost on the verge of tears voice makes this song twice as chilling. The soft, sparse arrangement allowed for her voice to come through.

5. You Always Hurt the One You Love

This sweet little song has a great point that is just so relatable that I think it deserves to be on this list. I believe that when Allen Roberts wrote this song, he had just experienced it. It's a song I personally have to keep in mind when others make me angry, or I start to say something I know I'll regret. The Mills Brothers arrangement has this intimate feel that fits the song like a glove. There is a reason why it is the most popular of all the versions. :P

6. String of Pearls

It's a rather simple melody, almost too simple. And yet, Glenn Miller managed to turn it into an interesting song and a lasting favorite. The odd combination of the horns going up and down at the same time, and the little improv solos during the song made what would have been an annoyingly repetitive song a swing classic. It takes a real arrangement to do that! The best version? What other version! Glenn Miller of course!

There are so many other songs out there that could match the ones listed, but this is what I personally feel to be the best. Please comment below and let me know what you think are the best songs of that era.

I hope this post has made your day a little brighter. Thank you, and God bless!

#GlennMiller #ThePiedPipers #TheMillsBrothers #HoagyCarmichael #TommyDorsey #FrankSinatra #BennyGoodman #JulieLondon #Music