Thanks for the Memory
"Thanks for the Memory" (1938) is a popular song composed by Ralph Rainger with lyrics by Leo Robin.[1] It was introduced in the 1938 film The Big Broadcast of 1938 by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross, and recorded by Shep Fields and His Orchestra featuring John Serry Sr. on accordion in the film and vocals by Bob Goday on Bluebird Records (B-7318, 1937).[2] Dorothy Lamour's solo recording of the song was also popular, and has led to many mistakenly believing over the years that it was she who sang the tune with Hope in the film (in which Lamour also appeared).
"Thanks for the Memory" | |
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Song | |
Published | 1938 by Paramount Music |
Composer(s) | Ralph Rainger |
Lyricist(s) | Leo Robin |
"Thanks for the Memory" | |
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Single by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross with Shep Fields and His Orchestra | |
from the album The Big Broadcast of 1938 | |
Recorded | 1938 |
Genre | Traditional pop |
Label | Paramount |
Songwriter(s) | Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger |
External audio | |
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In the film, Ross and Hope's characters are a divorced couple who encounter each other aboard a ship. Near the film's end, they poignantly sing one of the many versions of this song, recalling the ups and downs of their relationship (then they decide to get back together).
The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song,[1] and became Hope's signature tune, with many different lyrics adapted to any situation. In 2004, it finished No. 63 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema.
The song is often regarded as a companion piece to "Two Sleepy People", written in September 1938 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Frank Loesser, also performed by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross in the movie Thanks for the Memory which appeared in 1939, taking its title from the success of the song.[3]
Cover versions
- Martha Tilton sang vocals with Benny Goodman's orchestra recorded on December 2, 1937. RCA Camden Records CAL-872
- Mildred Bailey recorded the song on January 10, 1938 with a mixed group featuring Chu Berry doing a nice tenor sax solo.
- Bing Crosby recorded the song for his 1956 album, Songs I Wish I Had Sung the First Time Around.
- Jane Morgan for her album The American Girl from Paris (1956)
- Ella Fitzgerald recorded this with André Previn and his orchestra in 1955 (released as a single and on Sweet and Hot) and on her 1967 Verve release Whisper Not, with backing by Marty Paich and his orchestra.
- Sarah Vaughan recorded the tune for her 1958 album After Hours at the London House. She was apparently seeing the lyrics for the first time, as she stumbled over the term Parthenon twice before getting it right.
- Stacey Kent – included the tune on her 2001 Dreamsville album.
- Harry Nilsson released a version on his album recorded with Gordon Jenkins, A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night.
- Susannah McCorkle – Thanks For The Memory – Songs Of Leo Robin (1983), Most Requested Songs (2001)
- Frank Sinatra recorded an extended version of the song with altered lyrics for his 1981 album, She Shot Me Down.
- Rosemary Clooney on her 1985 album Rosemary Clooney Sings Ballads.
- Rod Stewart as the title track to his 2005 album Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV.
- Anita O'Day on the album Anita O'Day and Cal Tjader: Time for 2
- Jim Hall recorded an arrangement on his 1957 debut album Jazz Guitar
References
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records. p. 134. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- The American Dance Band Discography 1917–1942 Volume 1, Rust, Brian. Arlington House Publishers, New Rochelle, New York, 1975 P. 516, ISBN 0-87000-248-1 "Thanks for the Memory- vocals Bob Goday" on books.google.com
- Young, William H.; Young, Nancy K. (2005). Music of the Great Depression. ABC-CLIO. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-0-313-33230-2. Retrieved 10 November 2018.