Jazz Appreciation Month 2017, Day 25
Today marks the actual Fitzgerald centenary. Happy Birthday, Ella Fitzgerald.
What is Jazz? This is Jazz.
I heard this song on the radio on the way home from work this afternoon and was kinda knocked out--a young Fitzgerald, singing, "Don't Worry 'bout Me," doing some fairly Billie Holliday scooping and singing in fine, 1938 period form. Just smashing.
When I saw Fitzgerald live in 1989 in Cincinnati, we were all seated, respectfully, like adults, and between songs, during a quiet pause, after our applause, a woman yelled out as though she couldn't contain herself another second, " I LOVE YOU, ELLA!!"
Fitzgerald gave a beat and replied, very simply, in that one-of-a-kind, immersively warm voice of hers, into the microphone, and her voice came from everywhere and nowhere, like God, "I love you too, sweetheart."
I love you, Ella.
Forget 'bout Me
Don't worry 'bout me,
I'll get along.
Forget about me,
Be happy, my love,
Let's say that our little show is over,
And so the story ends,
Why not call it a day the sensible way
And still be friends?
We'll be friends.
Look out for yourself
Should be the rule,
Give your heart and your love
To whomever you love,
Don't be a fool.
Darling, why do we cling to this old faded thing
That used to be?
If you can forget,
Don't worry 'bout me.
[dance break]
Yes, just look out for yourself
Should be the rule,
Give your heart and your love
To whomever you love,
Don't don't be a fool.
Darling, why should we cling to some old faded thing
That used to be?
Yes, if you can forget,
Don't worry 'bout me.
If you see somebody new
Someone who looks good to you,
You please don't worry 'bout me
Rube Bloom, music; Ted Koehler, lyrics; Ella Fitzgerald, vocal; "Don't Worry 'bout me," Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight, 1938.
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