Fun With Old Tunes

*I urge you to click the links and listen along as you're reading. It will help set the mood!

Often in discussions about why jazz standards and other “old” music is better than modern music, I cite the fact that the values are more evidently wholesome. The lyrics of Cole Porter tend to be more intellectual and clever than that of, say, Li’l Wayne. I don’t think I’m breaking any new ground with that claim.

There was an article a few years ago that I read which hypothesized that the reason for this could be linguistic more than anything else. I wish I had the link still, but it essentially said the use of the word “you” had decreased significantly between the 1960s and modern music, while the use of the word “I” had shot up exponentially. In other words, our own songwriters have leaned more toward focusing on themselves than ot the objects of their affection.

However, another beautiful thing about music from the past is the subtle ways in which they managed to show morbidity and darkness. Rather than slamming on a set of drums and screaming or whining with an acoustic accompaniment, the geniuses from this time period were able to take on subjects that were not always “pleasant” and do one of two things: 1) make them pleasant or 2) trick you into thinking they are harmless.

A few examples:
1. “Save the Last Dance For Me,” written by Doc Pomus
You can dance—any dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight
You can smile—every smile for the man
Who held your hand ‘neath the pale moon light
But don’t forget who’s taking you home
And in whose arms you’re going to be
So, Darling, save the last dance for me

Few people realize this song was written about Pomus himself, a man afflicted with polio. As you probably know, polio is a disease that often leads to a disabled condition and the inability to walk – or to dance. Pomus composed the lyrics to this song in honor of his own wedding day, when he wanted his wife to have as much fun dancing and cavorting as possible – with the knowledge that the “last dance” would be for him.

Unlike a modern song that might overtly point to the irony or the conflict in order to elicit emotion, Pomus never even mentions the truth. He leaves the focus on the woman he loves, rather than on his own personal circumstances…

2. “Artificial Flowers,” sung by Bobby Darin
Alone in the world was poor little Anne
As sweet a young child as you’d find.
Her parents had gone to their final reward
Leaving their baby behind.

This poor little child was only nine years of age
When mother and dad went away
Still she bravely worked at the one thing she knew
To earn her few pennies a day.
 
She made artificial flowers, artificial flowers
Flowers for ladies of fashion to wear
She made artificial flowers, artificial flowers
Fashioned from Annie’s despair.

(let’s catch up a few verses later)

They found little Annie all covered with ice
Still clutching her poor frozen shears.
Amidst all the blossoms she fashioned by hand
And watered with all her young tears.

This is a song about an orphaned girl who makes shitty artificial flowers that earn her "pennies" in order to survive. She makes them out of her own goddamn despair. That’s not sad enough for you? Well how about we have her freeze to death at the end, still holding the damn tool and flowers that are drenched in her own tears? That enough?

The irony here is that the song bounces, swings, and dances its way along at a fast-paced, merry beat. If you heard Peanuts-adult-style mumbling, you may think this was one of the happiest songs ever. It’s about a homeless child who freezes to death. Thanks for the uplifting subject matter, Bobby. 

There are many other examples, I’m sure, but these two stood out to me as excellent evidence that earlier composers and artists were simply less concerned with infusing themselves into everything and, instead, letting the music be clever enough for them.

Any other songs you can think of that are similar? Post them in the comments!