What Kind of an “Old Fashioned Girl” are You?

I’ve been listening to two diametrically opposed songs about being “old fashioned,” so I have thought I would share these two songs and ask people which one they most identify with? You can even say both or none!

“I’m Old Fashioned” was composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer for the movie You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Rita Hayworth’s character sings the song, but her voice was dubbed by Nan Wynn. The song is then followed by a lovely, romantic dance between Astaire and Hayworth. Simply gorgeous.

I absolutely cannot resist this next song. “Just an Old Fashioned Girl” was written by Marve A. Fisher and is most associated with Eartha Kitt. Younger generations might know her for providing the voice of Yzma in The Emperor’s New Groove, She also played Catwoman in the TV series Batman in 1967. This song is utterly, wickedly delightful.

So, which kind of an “old fashioned” person are you? I confess that I probably am more old fashioned in the Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer fashion, but secretly wish to be old fashioned like Eartha Kitt.

 

Some Christmas Songs!!

Bing Crosby singing “Christmas is A’Comin'”

Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters sing “12 Days of Christmas”

There’s no Irving Berlin Christmas song more famous than “White Christmas,” but he wrote other excellent festive songs, as well. One song is “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” which was introduced by Dick Powell in the 1937 film On the Avenue, a lesser-known film with a terrific Berlin score. Well worth watching to hear Dick Powell and Alice Faye sing.

Alice Faye was, alas, prevented by 20th Century Fox from recording more while she was making films, which is definitely our loss. She had a beautiful voice!

 

“My Funny Valentine”

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the musical “Babes in Arms” in 1937. Oddly enough, the song did not make it into the 1938 film adaptation with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney (they passed up having Judy Garland sing that song!), but has since become a standard. And since today is Valentine’s Day, here are a number of interpretations of this lovely song.

Ella Fitzgerald

Barbra Streisand

Chet Baker

Miles Davis