![]() His use of language was both conversational, but perfectly elevated to express every necessary thought. Rodgers also beautifully complemented his melodies and harmonies to fit the lyric. He spoke directly from the heart, pun intended. There, he seemed to have an outlet to express his repressed emotions. What we know about Hart is that he lived a very difficult private life, and this is so beautifully reflected in his lyric writing. What do you feel set Lorenz Hart apart and caused him to excel beyond other lyricists of his generation? It’s one of the many ways in which is work was unparalleled. Hart’s verses often so slyly set up the chorus in a way that was unparalleled. Not only do you have beautiful alliteration, but the rhymes are also effortless, and this lyric looks introspective in such a profound way that it spills right into the well-known chorus. You have lost that bright toothpaste grin. Look at yourself – Do you still believe the rumor Look at yourself – If you had a sense of humor It's a great word! Very similar to Irving Berlin popping “rotogravure” into “Easter Parade.” All of it is captured in one single stanza, and how often do we hear the word “toboggan” used in a lyric? The opening lyric of “I Wish I Were in Love Again” classically displays the wit and sharpness of Lorenz Hart: “The sleepless nights/ The daily fights/ The quick toboggan when you reach the heights/ I miss the kisses and I miss the bites/ I wish I were in love again” Here you see the extremes of love – the highs and lows, the dark, the light. Why do they resonate so much with you today, even all these decades after they were written? Pick your favorite lyric from those songs. What’s your favorite Rodgers & Hart song?Īndy Einhorn: How is that easy!? I love so many Rodgers & Hart songs…but I’m going to say it’s a tie between “Glad to Be Unhappy” and “I Wish I Were in Love Again.” I’m cheating a bit because I have a ballad and an up-tempo! I’m surprised that Ella didn’t ever record it on any of her many live albums – it’s a song that doesn’t seem to have made it into her touring book.Concord: Let’s start it off easy. Nevertheless, the song is displayed in its best light with this interpretation, and it’s the perfect place to start in interpreting this song. Ella’s interpretation doesn’t include any displays of virtuosity, or even dramatic displays of emotion – she simply and honestly interprets the song, with only slight variations on the final half-chorus after the interlude. Her Rodgers & Hart Songbook was two LPs, interpreting 34 songs by the great songwriting team with orchestral accompaniment arranged by Buddy Bregman. Instrumentation: Full orchestra and rhythm sectionĮlla’s Songbook series eventually comprised some 16 albums covering eight songwriters. Of course, this malleability means there have been more forgettable pop versions of this song than perhaps any other with great pop singers expanding their repertoire into standards ( Carly Simon, The Supremes, Kenny Rogers, James Taylor, Seal, etc.).ĭefinitive Version: Ella Fitzgerald (1956 from Ella Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbookįorm: Intro | Chorus | Orchestral Bridge | Half-Chorus The song is infinitely variable – it can be effectively interpreted as a ballad, a swing tune (at various tempos), a Latin jazz number, a waltz, an odd-meter tune, and more. The C section reflects some of the harmonic material of the B section (starting by tonicizing the IV) but uses the rhythm and melodic shape of the A section. It is unique in not being in the standards AABA form, instead having an entirely new third section to end the form. It has been interpreted hundreds of times by jazz artists ever since, and remains a vital part of the repertoire. “My Romance” was premiered in 1935 as part of the Rodgers & Hart musical Jumbo, starring Jimmy Durante. You can read more about the project here. Welcome to Week 9 of The Definitive Version, a new weekly feature of my website.
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