Until the Real Thing Comes Along

"(It Will Have to Do) Until the Real Thing Comes Along" is a popular song first published in 1936.

"(It Will Have to Do) Until the Real Thing Comes Along"
Song
Published	1936 by Chappell & Co.
Songwriter(s)	Mann Holiner, Alberta Nichols, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin and L.E. Freeman

According to one version of the original sheet music, the songwriting credits read: "Words and Music by Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin and L.E. Freeman".

Another version has, immediately below the title, the words: "with Piano Accordion". According to this version, the songwriting credits read: Words and Music by Mann Holiner, Alberta Nichols, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin and L.E. Freeman.

Otherwise, graphically, the two versions are identical.

ASCAP lists all five as co-writers. Research Paper on the topic

Hit versions in 1936 were by Andy Kirk and His 12 Clouds of Joy, Fats Waller, Jan Garber & His Orchestra (vocal by Russell Brown) and by Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra (vocal by Billy Daniels). [1]

Other notable recordings

• The Ink Spots feat. Bill Kenny, this reached No. 24 in the Billboard charts in 1941. [2]
• Billie Holiday (1942) Columbia Record 78rpm; re-issued on the Columbia release Lady Day: the Best of Billie Holiday (2001)
• The Ravens (1947) [3]
• Ella Fitzgerald and Ellis Larkins on the Decca album release Songs in a Mellow Mood (1954), re-released as part of the album, Pure Ella (1994).
• Frankie Laine and Buck Clayton - on their album Jazz Spectacular (1956)
• Carmen McRae - Blue Moon (1956)
• June Christy - included in the album This Is June Christy (1956).[4]
• Nat King Cole - on his album Tell Me All About Yourself (1960)
• Dean Martin - on his album This Time I'm Swingin'! (1960)
• Dexter Gordon - on his album A Swingin' Affair (1962).
• Aretha Franklin for her album Laughing on the Outside (1962).
• Judy Henske for her album High Flying Bird (1963).
• Ernie K-Doe (1967)
• Sandy Denny - Like an Old Fashioned Waltz (1974)
• James Booker - Junco Partner (1976)
• Frank Sinatra - L.A. Is My Lady (1984)
• Coleman Hawkins - material together from sessions dating between 1958 and 1962 in the In a Mellow Tone (1988).
• Rod Stewart - As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook, Volume II (2003)
• Noah Preminger - Before The Rain (2011)
• The Hot Sardines - French Fries and Champagne (2016)

A French version was adapted by Maxime Le Forestier and performed by Julien Clerc. It was also performed in French by the famous group "The Neighbours" during a concert in Le New Cactus in Kigali, Rwanda.

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 601. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
2. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 223. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
3. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Ravens/ravens01.html
4. "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 29, 2018.