THE TOP TEN SONGS of FRANK SINATRA
There is no way to express the brilliance of Frank Sinatra and his vocal sty lings other than to repeat a somewhat famous button that reads, “It’s Frank’s world – we just live in it”. He’s the king and he’s…okay, he’s dead but that only makes it easier to name a top ten. If he were still in his prime and still recording, God only knows what kind of music he’d be making but I can assure you it would be relevant and exciting. And you can’t find one Hollywood hipster or US Magazine cover celebrity that wouldn’t agree. Why? Because he’s the man who sets the mood. For living, for loving and forever.
Here’s my top ten Frank Sinatra Songs.
10. FLY ME TO THE MOON – It’s a standard and you think you know it but when you hear it again, or for the first time, you can’t help but notice that no one has ever expressed such longing to be anywhere but wherever he was at the moment. It’s up-tempo and swinging, but the melancholy in his voice tells me he was looking for somewhere to go be alone and out of this world – literally. When I hear this song, I think of how sublime it is to escape and believe that’s what Frank intended.
9. I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN – Just listen to the way he almost aggressively pops out the lyric. Someone is definitely under his skin and he’s thrilled and a little terrified. And isn’t that the way we want to feel when we’re in love?
8. IT HAPPENED IN MONETERY – Slightly obscure but it has that sound of a man who is still in shock over falling in love. The lyrics state it “was a long time ago,” but it’s as fresh in Frank’s mind as he sings as if it happened yesterday. And if you’ve been to Monterrey you understand why someone wrote a song about it. The water, the climate, the trees and the best food going. If you want to take a long weekend with someone you love, this is the song to play when you ask.
7. IT’S WITCHCRAFT – “What good would common sense for it do?” Exactly. And he knows it’s strictly taboo. God love him, he’s got a soft spot for this song, it seems, because he’s identifying the way the opposite sex makes one feel. It’s not understandable nor is it easy to explain, let alone accept. It is what it is and Frank swings the whole feeling of being in love and it’s magical powers.
6. MY FUNNY VALENTINE – This is one of the few Sinatra recordings that makes him seem like he’s in control of his relationship. It might have been a woman who loved him and he adored but didn’t really love who he was singing about. The lyrics are usually presented as though someone is discovering a person who is far more than they first realized. Frank, however, makes it sound like he’s letting someone down gently. If some woman didn’t make him want to cry himself to sleep, than all he could do was pay tribute – and ask her to stay.
5. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME – Gershwin had no idea how this song could sound like this! The absolute king of his era is asking for someone to look after him and care for him. It’s almost non-romantic because he’s so raw in his need. But he was man enough to know it. And it makes my heart melt.
4. THE LADY IS A TRAMP – Call a woman a tramp and what does it get you? In Frank’s case I imagine many lined up to have him officially designate them a “tramp” because he makes it sound like the only interesting thing to be. “She don’t dish the dirt with the rest of the girls.” Could there be any higher praise for a woman who was in love with the biggest musical star on earth? I don’t think so.
3. ONE MORE FOR MY BABY – Oh my goodness, did any song ever make a person want a martini more? He’s alone. Alone and down hearted and he’s drinking – again – at his hang out. Everyone there knows he’s been hurt and badly – everyone gives him space. And the bartender doesn’t hesitate to give him another, even after closing time. Make that two – because a man like Frank can drink not only to his baby, but in salute to her.
2. YOU CAN”T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME – Okay, if anyone has ever heard Fred Astaire sing this, it’s glorious. His thin voice is plaintive and regretful. But leave it to Frank to take these very clear lyrics of loss and give it some swing. He sounds like he cares a great deal about losing someone, but he knows he’ll be in love again in no time. See this is what makes him great – just when you think he can’t get any more despondent, he takes these lyrics and gives them a twist. Whoever he lost, she was on the phone the next morning.
1. IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS OF THE MORNING – From the perfect album of the same name comes the most heartfelt expression of love ever recorded. He hurts and he keeps loving and he knows he’s not in control. How manly is that? Tip for you guys out there – this is the most exciting way of hearing a man love – he’s down for the count and he knows it – but he’s gonna love that woman more than ever. And feel it. He is truly the king.
