In March I will be singing a super-mini set (three songs) of jazz standards at Blues Alley. The next day my great-aunt will turn 101 – god willing – and even though she won’t be there I’m thinking about dedicating a song to her. I’d like it to be relatively uptempo, and having something to do with getting/being old.
So far, the only thing that comes to mind is Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.” Keeping in mind that I need to stick pretty closely to the Great American Songbook, does anyone have any other ideas?
I always thought that “September Song” was about an old man in love with a young girl, not about being old in general…? And yeah, not up-tempo.
How does “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” – about the reasons why the singer will always be in love with the subject – hit any of the notes I’m looking for?
I’d use Thanks for the Memory in a situation like this. Although it specifically references the end of a relationship, it’s often sung to commemorate long-lived people or things. Every other song I can think of about growing old has a much slower tempo.
I’ve heard it sung at a lot of tributes for older people. Also, some of the habits mentioned in the lyrics (or at least preoccupation with them) do seem to belong to another generation.
Further, there’s sort of an unspoken trope that part of growing older is facing mortality. Telling someone you will always remember them addresses that–in a positive way.
There’s the old Hoagy Carmichael tune, “Rockin’ Chair”, which you could possibly arrange for a more upbeat tempo. Or “Too Old To Cut The Mustard”. Or “As Time Goes By”. “This Old House”, Rosemary Clooney.
That’s the first song that came to mind and, actually, I think it would be quite perfect in a jazz setting (specifically in a Dixieland jazz or other combo setting.) But, yeah, if we’re talking a big band setting, maybe a little more difficult. Unfortunately, I don’t think it quite qualifies as a jazz standard and certainly not Great American Songbook.
There’ll Be Some Changes Made – definitely a standard, can be uptempo/swingy (like this rendition) or sultry/jazzy, and has the line “nobody wants you when you’re old and gray.”
It’s an actual jazz standard; it’s actually about getting old, kinda; and it’s actually somewhat upbeat. Plus it’s a fantastic song. What more could one want?
Thanks to everyone who has responded! Some interesting ideas here…
(And they’re all great songs, whether they work for what I have in mind or not. I freaking love how much great music is out there!)
If it matters, I’ll be singing with a trio: piano, bass, drums. They’re all better players than I deserve to be on stage with, frankly, and I’ll only have practiced with the pianist ahead of time. I’ll also be part of a group of other singers doing other three-song sets, so there’s not much wiggle room when it comes to the jazz standard/Great American Songbook requirement – but I also can’t duplicate a song that anyone else is doing.
Gotcha. I tend to interpret lyrics more literally, though, so if I’m not feelin’ it I won’t be able to deliver it.
This might be my favorite suggestion so far: pretty much exactly the theme I’m looking for, and I almost immediately starting imagining working out a light-hearted, uptempo arrangement. Thanks!
Um, yeah. If for no other reason than I’m a white soprano.
Huh? “Don’t Get Around Much Any More” has nothing to do with getting/being old…
That’s the right idea, but it’s a duet. If there were any men in my group strong enough to duet with I would, but there aren’t so I can’t.
