Sinatra managed to work with most of the great songwriters of his time, but this is not one of them. This is a terrible song, but Sinatra can manage to make it better (relatively).
[Maybe I am being too harsh on Bob Merrill, I like Mambo Italiano in a campy sort of way. But then I listen to this song again and go, nah. I get why Sinatra said what he said to Mitch Miller (years later).]
Mark Steyn: The worst song writer of all time
Gay Talese: Frank Sinatra Has A Cold
Mark Steyn: On the Road to Mandalay and A Foggy Day (in London Town)
Camp of the Saints: Sinatra's Best 73 through 71 and 70 through 68
Pundette: #78 Sinatra Unplugged Autumn Leaves and Embraceable You
Never let a Rule 5 opportunity to to waste so here is Dagmar:
Rule 5 and FMJRA
One of the great big blondes of the 50s and early TV.
ReplyDeletenb Should be read that she was one of the most iconic big blondes of her time, rather than for her considerable size, although she qualified that way, too...
PS Regarding the song, never forget this was the period when Mitch Miller was A&R man at Columbia and chose all of the Chairman's material.
ReplyDeleteThis particular song is emblematic.