One of the things I didn’t realize when I picked this song is that it would have so many covers. I saw the name Cole Porter and ran with it. I see it is one of Porter’s most often played compositions. Can you imagine writing a song that ends up with a legacy like this after almost a hundred years? The lyrics are so simple, yet they speak to a part of us that really wants to know the answer.
What Is This Thing Called Love?
I was a humdrum person
Leading a life apart
When love flew in through my window wide
And quickened my humdrum heart
Love flew in through my window
I was so happy then
But after love had stayed a little while
Love flew out again
This funny thing
Called love
Just who can solve its mystery
Why should it make
A fool of me?
I saw you there
One wonderful day
You took my heart
And threw it away
That's why I ask the lord
In heaven above
What is this thing
Called love?
This funny thing
Called love
Just who can solve its mystery
Why should it make
A fool of me?
I saw you there
One wonderful day
You took my heart
And threw it away
That's why I ask the lord
In heaven above
What is this thing
Called love?
Songwriter: Cole Porter
“What Is This Thing Called Love?” is a 1929 popular song written by Cole Porter, for the musical Wake Up and Dream. It was originally published by Harms and first performed by Elsie Carlisle in March 1929. The song has become a popular jazz standard and one of Porter’s most often played compositions.
Wake Up and Dream ran for 263 shows in London. The show was also noticed in New York, and the critics praised Tilly Losch’s performance of the song. The show was produced on Broadway in December 1929; in the American rendition, “What Is This Thing Called Love” was sung by Frances Shelley.
Jazz musicians soon included the song in their repertoire. The recordings of Ben Bernie and Fred Rich (vocal by The Rollickers) made it to the charts in 1930, and the song was also recorded by stride pianist, James P. Johnson, clarinetist Artie Shaw, and guitarist Les Paul.
The piece is usually performed at a fast tempo; the 1956 recording of Clifford Brown and Max Roach with Sonny Rollins is one of the best-known up-tempo instrumental versions.
Saxophonist Sidney Bechet made a slow rendition in 1941 with Charlie Shavers.
Other recordings
Dave Brubeck (1950)
Cannonball Adderley -- At the Lighthouse (1960)
Bing Crosby (1955) for use on his radio show and it was included in the box set. The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings (1954–56) issued by Mosaic in 2009.
Tommy Dorsey – Sy Oliver's arrangement with vocalist Connie Haines and trumpeter Ziggy Elman
Ella Fitzgerald (1956)
Vince Guaraldi Trio –The Navy Swings (1965)
Billie Holiday with Bob Haggart and His Orchestra (Joe Guy on trumpet, Bill Stegmeyer on alto saxophone, Armand Camgros and Hank Ross on tenor saxophones, Stan Webb on baritone saxophone, Sammy Benskin on piano, Tiny Grimes on guitar, Bob Haggart on bass and conductor, Specs Powell on drums, and a strings sextet) in New York City on August 14, 1945 for Decca
Libby Holman – (Brunswick, 1930 (rare rendition of the composition with the introductory verse)
Bobby McFerrin and Herbie Hancock – The Other Side of 'Round Midnight (1986)
Les Paul – This reached No. 11 in the Billboard chart in 1948.
Leo Reisman – 1930
Artie Shaw (1938)
Frank Sinatra – In the Wee Small Hours (1955)
Keely Smith – Swingin' Pretty (1959)
Sarah Vaughan (1963)
Jacky Terrasson and Stefon Harris – Kindred (2001)
Hampton Hawes with Red Mitchell & Chuck Thompson (1955)
Melody Gardot – Sunset in the Blue (2020)
Barbra Streisand – Barbra Streisand in Concert (1994)
Sierra Swan
Source: wikipedia
I can’t help but feel that Joni Mitchell spoke to the question in her 1969 song, “Both Sides, Now.”
Are you familiar with this song?
If so what is your
favorite rendition of it?
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week we are rolling with Nancy’s suggestion of picking a song from The Great American Songbook. Great idea, Nancy, to celebrate the 4th of July and USA 250th Anniversary.
Tao-Talk 
Any song by Cole Porter is a winner in my book. This is a classic for sure; my favorite version is probably Sinatra’s. Wonderful song!
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Thanks for the prompt suggestion, Nancy. I’m sure there will be a lot of really interesting songs. Glad you liked my choice and Sinatra did it his way — and very well!
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Great choice, Lisa going with this enduring jazz standard that captures the helpless, bittersweet confusion of falling in love, turning something potentially serious into a “funny thing” that makes a “fool” out of the singer.
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Thanks, Jim. Thanks for your insights into the lyrics. Listening to all of the covers I put links in for, the versatility of that melody is pretty amazing. The last one I found right at the end and really like.
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What a song. It’s so ubiquitous you can forget someone had to write it
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Delightful stuff by Porter.
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Glad you like it, Paul. He wrote some winners.
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He sure did, he had class 😀
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Fabulous classic Lisa and what great graphics for the artwork – is it a poster? The song such great lyrics I do love Ella’s rendition of it but then I like everything she did 😃 I think your right about Joni by the way 🩷
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Thank you, Ange. I think the graphics is the cover of the original sheet music. I found it at wiki. Ella is fabulous, you’re right. I love the variation in the covers. Yes on Joni <3
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🙌
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I picked a song by this artist, also! I picked anything goes!
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I like that one also, CA. He’s got a knack for songwriting.
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I love the version of this song you chose to showcase. I am an old movie buff and hearing this version made my day.
I really was unaware that it was ever covered by so many diverse artists. Now I am gonna have to go through the ones you linked to and see how each of them did it. Great choice.
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and after having listened to them all- I choose the Billy Holiday version as the one I like the best.
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I love the reedy silkiness of her voice <3
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V, so happy you liked the version I chose to showcase. There are so many amazing interpretations of it. Thank you :)
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Love this song! My favorite version is in my post :)
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I loved the Ella Fitzgerald version of this song Li. I have to admit that I was not familiar with your choice. I do love those old classics but this was new to me. So I just went down your list and found Ella’s. I understand why you made the connection to Joni Mitchell’s Both sides Now. It’s hard to be objective about love isn’t it? 🥰
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Christine, Ella does it right for sure. Thanks for listening and your comment. Glad you see the Joni connection. Yes, it is impossible to be <3
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great post and this song was new for me – it was fun to learn about it
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Thanks much, Yvette.
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♥
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Such a great song, good job, Lisa!
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Dana, I’m glad you like this one. It’s a beaut in any genre.
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I agree!
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I LOVE this…those recordings give me the chills…
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You know, I miss having cable TV with old movies and tv shows. This is a beauty of a song. If you click on the link to the original London show, the scale and spectacle of the production is mind-boggling — and they had no cgi or ai to assist!
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I saw her response as I was leaving so I didn’t click on the link….so I waited until now…wow…that was HUGE!
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