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"Can't We Be Friends?" is a 1929 song with lyrics by Paul James and music by Kay Swift, introduced on Broadway in The Little Show by Libby Holman. It was later recorded by many artists including Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.
"What Is This Thing Called Love?" is a 1929 popular song written by Cole Porter, for the musical Wake Up and Dream. It was first performed by Elsie Carlisle in March 1929. The song has become a popular jazz standard and one of Porter's most often played compositions.
"Back in Your Own Back Yard" is a popular song. Officially the credits show it as written by Al Jolson, Billy Rose, and Dave Dreyer; in fact, Billy Rose was exclusively a lyricist, Dreyer a composer, and Al Jolson a performer who was often given credits so he could earn some more money, so the actual apportionment of the credits would be likely to be music by Dreyer, lyrics by Rose, and possibly some small contribution by Jolson.
"My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time" is a 1945 popular song.
"Painting the Clouds with Sunshine" is a popular song published in 1929. The music was written by Joe Burke and the lyrics by Al Dubin for the 1929 musical film Gold Diggers of Broadway when it was sung by Nick Lucas. Gold Diggers of Broadway is a partially lost film, and the scene featuring the song is one of the only surviving scenes of the movie.
"Deep in the Heart of Texas" is an American popular song about Texas.
"I May Be Wrong " is a popular song. The music was written by Henry Sullivan, the lyrics by Harry Ruskin, arranged by Dan Daugherty, and the original music publisher was Ager, Yellen, and Bornstein, Inc. The song was published in 1929 and it was included in the musical revue Murray Anderson's Almanac which ran for 69 performances at Erlanger's Theatre on Broadway in 1929. It is said that the song was written on-demand for John Murray Anderson.
"Somebody Loves Me" is a popular song, with music written by George Gershwin, and lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva. The song was published in 1924 and featured in George White's Scandals of 1924.
"As Long as I Live" is a song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Ted Koehler, it was written for their last show at the Cotton Club Parade, in 1934. It was introduced by Avon Long and Lena Horne.
"Mountain Greenery" is a popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the musical The Garrick Gaieties (1926). It was first performed on stage by Sterling Holloway.
"All by Myself" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin, published in 1921.
"Please Be Kind" is a 1938 American song composed by Saul Chaplin with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. Popular recordings that year were by Mildred Bailey and the Red Norvo Orchestra; Bob Crosby & His Orchestra ; and by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra.
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is a Western music song composed by Bob Nolan, a founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers. Nolan wrote the song in the early 1930s while he was working as a caddy and living in Los Angeles. It was first recorded by the Sons of the Pioneers in 1934, and it became one of the most famous songs associated with the group. Originally titled "Tumbling Leaves", the song was reworked into the title "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and into more widespread fame with the 1935 film of the same name starring Gene Autry. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)" is a song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Gus Kahn. It was introduced in 1929 by Ruby Keeler (as Dixie Dugan) in Florenz Ziegfeld's musical Show Girl. The stage performances were accompanied by the Duke Ellington Orchestra. On the show's opening night in Boston on June 25, 1929, Keeler's husband and popular singer Al Jolson suddenly stood up from his seat in the third row and sang a chorus of the song, much to the surprise of the audience and Gershwin himself. Jolson recorded the song a few days later on July 6, 1929, and his rendition rose to number nine on the charts of the day.
"For You" is a song written by Joe Burke and Al Dubin in 1930. It was introduced in the Mack Sennett short Billboard Girl (1932) when it was sung by Bing Crosby. The best known version was from musician Rick Nelson in 1964, when it peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #66 on the year end. In 1964, Vic Laurens made à beautiful French version. Title of the song : Pour toi on label Mercury.
Moanin' Low is a popular torch song. The music was written by Ralph Rainger; the lyrics by Howard Dietz. The song was published in 1929 and was introduced that same year in the musical revue The Little Show by Libby Holman becoming a hit and Holman's signature song. A recording by The Charleston Chasers was also popular in 1929.
"I Can't Escape from You" is a song written music by Richard A. Whiting and lyrics by Leo Robin for the 1936 Paramount Film "Rhythm on the Range", and first introduced in the film when Bing Crosby sang it to Frances Farmer. Crosby recorded it for Decca Records that same year with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and it was in the hit parade for 11 weeks reaching a peak position of No. 7. Crosby recorded the song again in 1954 for his album Bing: A Musical Autobiography.
"Coquette" is a 1928 fox trot jazz standard. It was composed by Johnny Green and Carmen Lombardo, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. Guy Lombardo had great success with the song in 1928.
"Sweet Sue, Just You" is an American popular song of 1928, composed by Victor Young with lyrics by Will J. Harris. Popular versions in 1928 were by Earl Burtnett and by Ben Pollack.
Selections from Showboat is a Decca Records compilation album of phonograph records featuring songs from the Jerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein II musical Show Boat.
"The Lamplighter's Serenade" is a song written by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Paul Francis Webster (lyrics). The construction of the song was unusual and did not conform to the normal AABA pattern. Instead, Carmichael used an ABA format that proved most effective.
Return of Benny Goodman to the wax fold is an item of major import from this front. Solid rhythmic sendings on both sides for Peckin'n and Can't We Be Friends? (25621). There's a terrific lifting spirit to the Goodman syncopation that defies one to refrain from rockin' in the rhythm. Each inspires each for a brand of swing that sets the pace for all other cats.
Abbreviations: V-Victor; B-Brunswick; D-Decca; Bl-Bluebird; VO-Vocalion [...] Cats will find BOB CROSBY'S BOBCATS a lap-up for the unrestrained dixielanding to the top tootling of You're Driving Me Crazy and Can't We Be Friends? (D).
Milumbu—FT; Can't We Be Friends?—FT [...] Side A is light and infectious, and the reverse side throws the tempo into high gear for the renowned Libby Holman song of first Little Show glory. The power and punch of a side like this come not from the amount of aimless noise that a trumpet, sax and clarinet can make, but from the enjoyment engendered by expert instrumentation of the highest order. Billy Kyle's piano stands out...
Chicago—FT. Can't We Be Friends?—FT [...] These sides mark the bow of this cornet-playing maestro on the Decca label. [...] This is the first waxing with his new and enlarged band.
Mildred Bailey (Ellis Larkins Trio) (Majestic 1209) Can't We Be Friends? Bailey imparts that 'certain something' to oldie. Relaxed and soothing.
Light and bouncy instrumental interpretation of the standard is pleasant listening, featuring the Stacy piano; George Van Eps, guitar; Nick Fatool, drums, and Marty Corbs, bass.
Memories of You; Let's Fall in Love; Dancing on the Ceiling; Isn't It Romantic; September in the Rain; They Can't Take That Away From Me; Can't We Be Friends; On the Sunny Side of the Street. [...] His playing is not remarkably technical nor even especially original in conception, but it is relaxed, tasty, and his tempos are excellent. One engaging trick he uses is playing second choruses in a blues idiom, while yet not losing the melody. Kind of thing you can listen to with full attention or play as a backdrop for chit-chat, or even dance to, and enjoy no matter what.
The ditties are all standards with the exception of 'Threesome,' a Bryant original. Included are 'Moonlight in Vermont,' 'Old Devil Moon,' 'Can't We Be Friends,' etc.
