Dorothy Fields is one of the few women who were a part of Tin Pan Alley that is remembered today. She had an incredible career that spanned almost sixty years. She wrote the book as well as the lyrics for many major musicals and films. Many of her tunes are now considered jazz standards. She had an incredible ability to write lyrics that are both timeless and fashionable and her ability to adapt as an artist keep her working until her dying day. As you will see from the playlist, her music was performed and recorded by many of the singers that have become household names. To put things into perspective, in spite of the fact that Dorothy had a lengthy, impressive career, there's only one biography written about her. Compare that to It's refreshing to put together a playlist where I'm making difficult decisions about which recordings to include, rather than tracking down rarely heard recordings!
I've included both the year that the songs were first published as well as the release date of the song from the mixtape. This should also give you an idea of the staying-power of Dorothy's music.
Enjoy the genius of Dorothy Fields!
1928 1957
"I Must Have That Man"
From Abbey Lincoln's recording That's Him!
originally from The Blackbirds of 1928
with music by Jimmy McHugh
1930 1937
"On the Sunny Side of the Street"
From Louis Armstrong and his orchestra
originally from Lew Leslie's International Revue
with music by Jimmy McHugh
4:26
1930 1959
"Exactly Like You"
with Nina Simone at Town Hall
originally from Lew Leslie's International Revue
with music by Jimmy McHugh
12:11
1933 1958
"Don't Blame Me"
From Nat King Cole The Very Thought of You (bonus track on later version)
originally from Clowns in Clover
with music by Jimmy McHugh
15:26
1934 1959
""Lost in a Fog"
From Ella Fitzgerald's Hello Love
Originally from Have a Heart
with music by Jimmy McHugh
19:22
1935 1962
"I Won't Dance"
From Sinatra-Basie A Historical Musical First
Originally from Roberta
with music by Jerome Kern
23:25
1935 1955
"I'm in the Mood for Love"
From Julie London's Julie is Her Name
Originally from the film Every Night at Eight
with music by Jimmy McHugh
27:31
1936 1946
"A Fine Romance"
From Martha Tilton and Johnny Mercer on Capital Records
Originally from the film Swing Time
with music by Jerome Kern
30:19
1936 1936
"The Way You Look Tonight"
From Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra with Billie Holiday
Originally from the film Swing Time
with music by Jerome Kern
33:04
1936 1963
"Remind Me"
From Ella Fitzgerals Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook
Originally from unproduced film Riviera and later One Night in the Tropics
with music by Jerome Kern
36:10
1938 1960
"You Couldn't Be Cuter"
From Margaret Whiting Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook
Originally from the film Joy of Living
with music by Jerome Kern
40:00
1944 1945
"Close as Pages in a Book"
From Bing Crosby's Decca Recording
Originally from Up in Central Park
with music by Sigmund Romberg
42:51
1966 1966
"Big Spender"
From Peggy Lee's Big Spender
Originally from Sweet Charity
with music by Cy Coleman
47:36
1928 1972
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love"
from An Evening with Dorothy Fields
recorded in 1972 live from Kaufman Concert Hall
originally from Blackbirds of 1928
with music by Jimmy McHugh
49:44