Sometimes I'm Happy (Sometimes I'm Blue): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox song

| title name = Sometimes I'm Happy (Sometimes I'm Blue)

| English_titlecover = =

| image_sizealt = =

| comment = Introduced in the [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] [[musical theatre|musical]] ''[[Hit the Deck (musical)|Hit the Deck]]''

| image type =

| original_artistartist = [[Charles King (vaudevillian)|Charles King]] & [[Louise Groody]]

| image_size =

| caption album =

| alt EP =

| written =

| original_artist = [[Charles King (vaudevillian)|Charles King]] & [[Louise Groody]]

| published = 1927

| recorded_by = Many artists; see [[#Recorded versions]]

| performed_by released =

| written format =

| recorded =

| Released = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->

| Published studio = 1927

| venue =

| Length = <!-- {{Duration|m=MM|s=SS}} -->

| genre =

| Writer = Composer: [[Vincent Youmans]] <br>Lyricist: [[Irving Caesar]]

| length =

| Language = [[English language|English]]

| Form label =

| writer =

| composer = [[Vincent Youmans]]

| lyricist = [[Irving Caesar]]

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| title =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

'''"Sometimes I'm Happy"''' is a [[popular music|popular song]]. The music was written by [[Vincent Youmans]], the lyrics by [[Irving Caesar]]. The song was originally published in 1923 under the title "Come On And Pet Me"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kuvo.org/stories-of-standards-sometimes-im-happy/|title = Stories of Standards &#124; Sometime's I'm Happy|date = 2 April 2017}}</ref> with lyrics by [[Oscar Hammerstein II]] and William Cary Duncan.<ref>{{cite book|title=Come on and pet me (Musical score, 1923) |publisher=[WorldCat.org] |date=2019-01-04 |oclc=497144119 }}</ref>

'''"Sometimes I'm Happy (Sometimes I'm Blue)"''' is a [[popular music|popular song]].

==Background==

The music was written by [[Vincent Youmans]], the lyrics by [[Irving Caesar]]. The song was published in 1927 and introduced in the [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] [[musical theatre|musical]] ''[[Hit the Deck (musical)|Hit the Deck]],'' starring [[Stanley Holloway]], and opened in April, 1927. The song was performed in the musical by [[Charles King (vaudevillian)|Charles King]] and [[Louise Groody]], who also made a recording for [[Victor Records]], [[Catalog numbering systems for single records|catalog number]] 20609.<ref name=Gardner>{{cite book|

It was originally intended for the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] [[musical theatre|musical]] ''Mary Jane McKane,'' but was cut before the show opened.<ref name=Bloom>{{cite book|

title= American Song|

last = Bloom|

first = Ken|

publisher= Schirmer Books|

___location= New York, New York|

year= 1996|

isbn= 0-02-870484-3

}}</ref> The music was subsequently used, with new lyrics and title, in the short-lived 1925 [[musical theatre|musical]] ''A Night Out,'' and in the [[musical theatre|musical]] ''[[Hit the Deck (musical)|Hit the Deck]],'' starring [[Stanley Holloway]] and opening in April 1927.

The music was written by [[Vincent Youmans]], the lyrics by [[Irving Caesar]]. The song was publishedperformed in 1927 and introduced in the [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] [[musical theatre|musical]] ''[[Hit the Deck (musical)|Hit the Deck]],'' starring [[Stanley Holloway]], and opened in April, 1927. The song was performed in the musical by [[Charles King (vaudevillian)|Charles King]] and [[Louise Groody]], who also made a recording for [[Victor Records]], [[Catalog numbering systems for single records|catalog number]] 20609.<ref name=Gardner>{{cite book|

title= Popular Songs of the 20th Century: Chart Detail & Encyclopedia, 1900-1949|

last = Gardner|

Line 30 ⟶ 50:

}}</ref> The best-selling versions were by King and Groody and by [[Roger Wolfe Kahn]] (with vocal by [[Franklyn Baur]]), also issued by Victor (catalog number 20599).<ref name=Gardner/> Two other versions, a duet by Baur and [[Gladys Rice]] on [[Columbia Records]] (catalog number 998-D) and a vocal by [[Vaughn De Leath]] on [[Brunswick Records]] (catalog number 3608) also had a significant degree of popularity.<ref name=Gardner/>

A number of other recordings werewas made in 1927 (see below), butand the songtune has become a standard, recorded by many artists since that time. It appeared as the B-side of the landmark 1935 recording of "[[King Porter Stomp]]" by [[Benny Goodman]] and his orchestra (released July 31 as Victor 25090).

==Lyrics (Come On And Pet Me version)==

{{move to Wikisource}}

<poem>There's a girl friend that I know

Has a boy friend who is slow

When they're alone he is shy,

And she has to keep complaining:

Come on and pet me, why don't you pet me?

Why don't you get me to let you pet me?

You never ask me out for a spoon

For all I know, there ain't any moon!

I'd like to bask in your fond caressin'

You do the askin' I'll do the yessin'

Within your arms I'd stay for a year

Come on and pet me, dear, do dear!</poem><ref name=ComeYoumans>{{cite book

|title= Come On And Pet Me

|last = Youmans

|first = Vincent

|publisher= Harms Incorporated

|___location= New York

|year= 1923}}</ref>

==Lyrics (Sometimes I'm Happy version)==

<poem>Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm blue

My disposition depends on you

I never mind the rain from the sky

If I can find the sun in your eyes

Sometimes I love you, sometimes I hate you

But when I hate you, it's 'cause I love you

That's how I am

So what can I do?

I'm happy when I'm with you

Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm blue

My disposition depends on you

I never mind the rain from the sky

If I can find the sun in your eyes

Sometimes I love you, sometimes I hate you

But when I hate you, it's 'cause I love you

That's how I am

So what can I do?

I'm always happy

So very happy

I'm always happy when I'm with you<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3005412/Nat+King+Cole/Sometimes+I%27m+Happy |title=Nat King Cole - Sometimes I'm Happy Lyrics |publisher=Lyrics.com |date= |accessdate=2022-08-04}}</ref>

</poem>

==Recorded versions==

{{example farm|section|date=September 2018}}

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*[[Steve Allen]]

*[[Ray Anthony]]

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*[[Ray Conniff]]

*[[Jill Corey]]

*[[Willie Creager]]'s Rhythm Aces (vocal by the Locust Sisters; recorded April 30, 1927; released by [[Supertone Records]] as catalog number 9606;<ref name=Sup9500>[http://78discography.com/SPTN9500.htm Supertone Records in the 9500 to 9778 series]</ref> also released under the name '''Georgia Collegians''' by [[Champion Records (Richmond, Indiana)|Champion Records]] as catalog numbers CH15325<ref name=Champ15000>[http://78discography.com/Champ150.htm Champion Records in the 15001 to 15499 series]</ref> and 15910,<ref name=Champ15500>[http://78discography.com/Champ155.htm Champion Records in the 15501 to 15999 series]</ref> by [[Gennett Records]] as catalog numbers 6138<ref name=Gen6000>[http://78discography.com/GNT6000.htm Gennett Records in the 6000 to 6499 series]</ref> and 7090,<ref name=Gen7000>[http://78discography.com/GNT7000.htm Gennett Records in the 7000 to 7323 series]</ref> and by [[Silvertone Records (1905)|Silvertone Records]] as catalog number 5051<ref>[http://78discography.com/SIL5000g.htm Silvertone Records in the 5000 to 5237 series]</ref> all with the flip side "Hallelujah"<ref name=Sup9500/><ref name=Champ15000/><ref name=Champ15500/><ref name=Gen6000/><ref name=Gen7000/>)

*[[Bing Crosby]] recorded the song in 1956<ref>{{cite web|title=A Bing Crosby Discography|url=http://www.bingmagazine.co.uk/bingmagazine/CBS.html |website=BING magazine|publisher=International Club Crosby|accessdate=December 9, 2017}}</ref> for use on his [[The Bing Crosby Show (1954–1956)|radio show]] and it was subsequently included in the box set ''The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings (1954-56)'' issued by [[Mosaic Records]] (catalog MD7-245) in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=allmusic.com|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-bing-crosby-cbs-radio-recordings-1954-56-mw0001951404|website=allmusic.com|accessdate=December 9, 2017}}</ref>

*[[Bing Crosby]] CBS Radio

*[[Vic Damone]]

*[[Doris Day]] with [[The Mellowmen]] (recorded May, 1949; released by [[Columbia Records]] as catalog number 38545, with the flip side "[[You Go to My Head]]"<ref>[http://78discography.com/COL38500.htm Columbia Records in the 38500 to 38999 series]</ref>)

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*[[Liz Diamond]]

*[[The Dinning Sisters]]

*[[Eddy Duchin]] (in a medley with [[Pretty Baby (Tony Jackson song)|Pretty Baby]]; recorded July 15, 1942, released by [[Columbia Records]] as catalog number 36746, with the flip side "[[Blue Room (1926 song)|Blue Room]]"/"Am I Blue?"<ref>[http://78discography.com/COL36500.htm Columbia Records in the 36500 to 36999 series]</ref>)

*[[Roy Eldridge]]

*[[Seger Ellis]] and his orchestra (recorded March 11, 1937, released by [[Decca Records]] as catalog number 1350, with the flip side "Bee's Knees"<ref>[http://78discography.com/Dec1000.htm Decca Records in the 1000 to 1499 series]</ref>)

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*[[Stan Getz]]

*[[Dizzy Gillespie]]

*[[Benny Goodman]] & his orchestra (Instrumental) (recorded July 1, 1935; released by [[Victor Records]] as catalog number 25090B, with the flip side "King Porter Stomp"<ref>[http://78discography.com/vic25000.html Victor Records in the 25000 to 25499 series]</ref>). A recording can also be found on ''[[The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert]]''.

*[[Stéphane Grappelli]]

*[[Glen Gray]] & The Casa Loma Orchestra (1939)

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*[[Joni Mitchell]]

*[[National Music Lover Dance Orchestra]] (released by [[National Music Lovers Records]] as catalog number 1208, with the flip side "How Can a Girl Like You Like a Boy Like Me?"<ref>[http://78discography.com/NML.htm National Music Lovers Records listing]</ref>)

*[[Phineas Newborn, Jr.]]

*[[Jack Oakie]] & [[Polly Walker]] (featured in the film [[Hit the Deck (1930 film)|Hit the Deck]]) (1930)

*[[Anita O'Day]], with the [[Alvy West]] Band (released by [[Signature Records]] as catalog number 15127B, with the flip side "Ace in the Hole"; also shown as '''Anita O'Day with the Little Band,''' released by Signature Records as catalog number 15222B, with the flip side "[[Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered|Bewitched]]"<ref>[http://78discography.com/Signiature.htm Signature Records listing]</ref>)

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*[[Johnny Smith]]

*[[Southampton Society Orchestra]] (released by [[Pathé Records]] as catalog number 36643, with the flip side "I'm in Love Again"<ref>[http://78discography.com/Pathe36500.htm Pathé Records in the 36500 to 36999 series]</ref>)

*[[Jo Stafford]] (released by [[Capitol Records]] as catalog number 993, with the flip side "Why Can't You Behave?"<ref>[http://78discography.com/Capitol500.htm Capitol Records in the 500 to 999 series]</ref> and as catalog number 20051, with the flip side "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny"<ref>, [http://78discography.com/Capitol20000.htm Capitol Records in the 20001 to 20156 series]</ref>), ''[[Autumn in New York (Jo Stafford album)|Autumn in New York]]'' (1950)

*[[Sun Ra]]

*The [[SuperJazz Big Band]] of Birmingham, Alabama recorded the song on the CD, ''[[UAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis Marsalis]]''

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*[[Trenier Twins]] (recorded December 1947, released by [[Mercury Records]] as catalog number 8089, with the flip side "Cadillac Convertible"<ref>[http://78discography.com/Merc080.htm Mercury Records in the 8001 to 8310 series]</ref>)

*Trotta (released by [[Discovery Records]] as catalog number 159, with the flip side "Night Must Fall"<ref>[http://78discography.com/Discovery.htm Discovery Records listing]</ref>)

*[[Sarah Vaughan]] (19541955)

*[[Cy Walter]] (released by [[Columbia Records]] as catalog number 39629, with the flip side "[[Isn't It Romantic?]]"<ref name=Col39500>[http://78discography.com/COL39500.htm Columbia Records in the 39500 to 39999 series]</ref>)

* [[Dinah Washington]] for her album ''[[In the Land of Hi-Fi (Dinah Washington album)|In the Land of Hi-Fi]]'' (1956).<ref>{{cite web|title=www.allmusic.com|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-land-of-hi-fi-mw0000192640|website=allmusic.com|accessdate=June 25, 2024}}</ref>

*[[Dinah Washington]] (1956)

*[[Ben Webster]]

*[[Margaret Whiting]]

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*[[Teddy Wilson]]

*[[Lester Young]] Quartet (recorded December 28, 1943, released by [[Mercury Records]] as catalog number 1093, with the flip side "Afternoon of a Basie-ite"<ref name=Merc1000/>)

*[[UAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis Marsalis]], arrangement by [[Steve Sample, Sr.]]

*[[Sarah Vaughan]] on her live album [[Sassy Swings The Tivoli]] produced by [[Quincy Jones]](1963)

{{Div col end}}

==References==

{{reflist}}

<references />

==External links==

* [http://www.lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/s/sometimesimhappy.shtml Song lyric (Sometimes I'm Happy version)]

* [https://www.kuvo.org/stories-of-standards-sometimes-im-happy/ Stories of Standards: Sometimes I’m Happy]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Songs with music by Vincent Youmans]]