Frank Sinatra: Songs for Swinging' Lovers

Frank Sinatra: Songs for Swinging' Lovers

Album #4 - March 1956

Episode date - February 15, 2023

The Top 500 of The Top 40
0:00
0:00

It’s very interesting to note that the best album in Frank Sinatra’s career was blocked from the #1 spot by a newcomer who sang rock and roll music.

Sinatra despised rock and roll, and if you play these two albums side by side, you should be able to understand the reasons. Presley was an untrained singer who had strange vocal mannerisms. He hiccupped his lyrics, and he growled when excited. He relied on studio effects to dress his vocals over sparse, hyperactive and comparably simple arrangements. Sinatra was as professional as a singer could be. His delivery was so perfect that virtually every one of his recordings from this era became definitive. As the arranger, Nelson Riddle provided some of the best work of his lifetime.

The theme of “Songs for Swingin’ Lovers” is upbeat and joyful, emphasizing the playful side of young love. Playing the two singers back to back either makes Elvis sound silly, or it makes Sinatra sound square, depending on your point of view, but it must have irked Sinatra to see this newcomer hog the top position for ten consecutive weeks. Going forward, Sinatra would never be able to beat rock and roll but he deservedly held his faithful audience by releasing stunning classics such as this. The generational divide starts here.

Featured Tracks:

You Make Me Feel So Young

It Happened in Monterey

You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me

You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me

Too Marvelous for Words

Old Devil Moon

Pennies from Heaven

Love Is Here to Stay

I’ve Got You Under My Skin

I Thought about You

We’ll Be Together Again

Makin’ Whoopee

Swingin’ Down the Lane

Anything Goes

How About You?

March 1956- Billboard Charted #2

Related Shows

Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger

Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger

Album #247 - May 1975

0:00
0:00
Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic

Aerosmith: Toys in the Attic

Album #246 - April 1975

0:00
0:00
Steely Dan Katy Lied

Steely Dan: Katy Lied

Album #245 - March 1975

0:00
0:00
Young Americans - David Bowie

David Bowie: Young Americans

Album #244 - March 1975

0:00
0:00
Earth, Wind & Fire: That's the Way of the World

Earth, Wind & Fire: That's the Way of the World

Album #243 - March 1975

0:00
0:00
Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti,  In The Light, Bron-Yr-Aur, Down by the Seaside, Ten Years Gone, Night Flight, The Wanton Song, Boogie With Stu, Black Country Woman, Sick Again

Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti - Part 2

Album #242 - February 1975

0:00
0:00
Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti - Part 1

Album #242 - February 1975

0:00
0:00
Tower Of Power: Urban Renewal

Tower Of Power: Urban Renewal

Album #241 - January1975

0:00
0:00
Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan: Blood On The Tracks - Part 2

Album #240 - January 1975

0:00
0:00
Bob Dylan Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan: Blood On The Tracks - Part 1

Album #240 - January 1975

0:00
0:00
Roxy Music: Country Life

Roxy Music: Country Life

Album #239 - November 1974

0:00
0:00
Kraftwerk: Autobahn

Kraftwerk: Autobahn

Album #238 - November 1974

0:00
0:00