Sing, You Sinners (song)
"Sing, You Sinners" is a novelty song with music by W. Franke Harling and lyrics by Sam Coslow.[1] Composed in 1930 for the film Honey, starring Nancy Carroll, it was performed during a musical scene by Tess Gardella, Mitzi Green (Doris) and Lillian Roth (Cora Falkner).[2] The Bing Crosby 1938 Paramount musical Sing You Sinners also included the song in the title credits. It is considered "Coslow's biggest movie hit".[3]
1930 recordings
[edit]- Popular recordings in 1930 were by The High Hatters (on Victor 22322) and by Smith Ballew and his Orchestra.[4] A good early recording is found on the album "The Song Hits of 1930 (Jazz Age Chronicles, Vol. 9)", and is sung by The Charleston Chasers.[5] This is, perhaps, the way Coslow and Harling intended it to be performed. A version was released in 1930 by Hit of the Week Records, credited to Harlem Hot Chocolates but actually performed by Duke Ellington and his band.[6] [7]
Other recordings
[edit]- In Britain, the song was recorded by the duo Bob and Alf Pearson.[8]
- A popular version was recorded by Tony Bennett for Columbia Records (No. CO44125) on July 20, 1950.[9] Bennett also recorded the song on several more occasions.[10] In addition it is featured on Tony Bennett album Duets: An American Classic when he sings it with singer John Legend.
- In 1951 Margaret Whiting performed the song with orchestra directed by Frank DeVol (Capitol 1417 78rpm).
- Rosemary Clooney included the song on her album Swing Around Rosie (1959).
- Mel Tormé recorded for his album Comin' Home Baby! (1962).[11]
- The song is the title track of Erin McKeown's October 24, 2006 album Sing You Sinners.
Popular culture
[edit]- Max Fleischer’s cartoon “Swing You Sinners!” (1930) from the Talkartoons series is entirely based on the modified version of this song, “Swing you Sinners”.
- The song was used in the 1955 film I'll Cry Tomorrow when it was sung and danced by Susan Hayward and the chorus. It is also heard in a medley montage by Susan Hayward (vocal) and Eddie Albert (piano).[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Lawson, Carol (1982-04-06). "SAM COSLOW, 79, SONGWRITER". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
- ^ Tick, Judith (2023-12-05). Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-24202-7.
- ^ Bradley, Edwin M. (2004-08-25). The First Hollywood Musicals: A Critical Filmography of 171 Features, 1927 through 1932. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-2029-2.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 579. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ "45worlds.com". 45worlds.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "45worlds.com". 45worlds.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "Harlem Hot Chocolates - The Syncopated Times". 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
- ^ "78 RPM - Bob And Alf Pearson - Sing You Sinners / If I Had a Girl Like You - Broadcast - UK - 612". 45worlds. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "jazzdiscography.com". jazzdiscography.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ "Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
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