Song: Lullaby of Broadway
Artists: Rod Stewart and Jools Holland
Original artist: Doris Day
This song combines a mixture of markedly old and decidedly new. Lullaby of Broadway
is the oldest song I have touched on in this blog and, at the time of writing, it’s also the
newest release I have covered. Confusing? I’ll explain…
The song was written in 1935 by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. Must confess that neither
name sparks any memories for me. It featured in three different films that year – the
Gold Diggers of 1935, Special Agent and G Men – and would win the Oscar for Best
Original Song.
It gained further significant recognition when Doris Day recorded it in 1951 for the film of
the same name
Day is just one of a long list of stars who have recorded the song. I won’t attempt to
name them all, but that list includes: the Andrews Sisters, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby,
Ella Fitzgerald, Connie Francis and Bette Midler.
The song returned to our consciousness this year (2024) because it has been included
on a new album called Swing Fever by Rod Stewart in collaboration with Jules Holland.
The album features Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and contains 13 covers of
songs from the so-called big band era. Swing Fever debuted at No 1 in the UK albums
chart signalling Holland first No 1 album and Stewart’s 11 th .
Other tracks on the album include: Sentimental Journey, Pennies from Heaven, Ain’t
Misbehavin’, Almost Like Being in Love and Tennessee Waltz.
It would be wrong of me to claim that big band music is really my thing. After all, it was
in its heyday before I was born. However, Rod and Jools do a great job with the tracks.
If I were choosing music to play in the background for a romantic dinner I would give
Swing Fever some serious thought. But I’d keep the volume down. It’s not called “big”
band for nothing.
