Sometimes I'm Happy (Sometimes I'm Blue)

"Sometimes I'm Happy" is a popular song. The music was written by Vincent Youmans, the lyrics by Irving Caesar. The song was originally published in 1923 under the title "Come On And Pet Me,"[1] with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and William Cary Duncan.[2]

"Sometimes I'm Happy"
Song by Charles King & Louise Groody
Published1927
Composer(s)Vincent Youmans
Lyricist(s)Irving Caesar

Background edit

It was originally intended for the Broadway musical Mary Jane McKane, but was cut before the show opened.[3] The music was subsequently used, with new lyrics and title, in the short-lived 1925 musical A Night Out, and in the musical Hit the Deck, starring Stanley Holloway and opening in April 1927.

The song was performed in Hit the Deck by Charles King and Louise Groody, who also made a recording for Victor Records, catalog number 20609.[4] The best-selling versions were by King and Groody and by Roger Wolfe Kahn (with vocal by Franklyn Baur), also issued by Victor (catalog number 20599).[4] Two other versions, a duet by Baur and Gladys Rice on Columbia Records (catalog number 998-D) and a vocal by Vaughn De Leath on Brunswick Records (catalog number 3608) also had a significant degree of popularity.[4]

A number of other recordings was made in 1927 (see below), and the tune has become a standard, recorded by many artists since that time. It appeared as the B-side of the landmark 1935 recording of "King Porter Stomp" by Benny Goodman and his orchestra (released July 31 as Victor 25090).

Lyrics (Come On And Pet Me version) edit

There's a girl friend that I know
Has a boy friend who is slow
When they're alone he is shy,
And she has to keep complaining:
Come on and pet me, why don't you pet me?
Why don't you get me to let you pet me?
You never ask me out for a spoon
For all I know, there ain't any moon!
I'd like to bask in your fond caressin'
You do the askin' I'll do the yessin'
Within your arms I'd stay for a year
Come on and pet me, dear, do dear!

[5]

Lyrics (Sometimes I'm Happy version) edit

Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm blue
My disposition depends on you
I never mind the rain from the sky
If I can find the sun in your eyes
Sometimes I love you, sometimes I hate you
But when I hate you, it's 'cause I love you
That's how I am
So what can I do?
I'm happy when I'm with you
Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm blue
My disposition depends on you
I never mind the rain from the sky
If I can find the sun in your eyes
Sometimes I love you, sometimes I hate you
But when I hate you, it's 'cause I love you
That's how I am
So what can I do?
I'm always happy
So very happy
Im always happy when I'm with you[6]

Recorded versions edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Stories of Standards | Sometime's I'm Happy". 2 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Come on and pet me (Musical score, 1923)". [WorldCat.org]. 2019-01-04. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  3. ^ Bloom, Ken (1996). American Song. New York, New York: Schirmer Books. ISBN 0-02-870484-3.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Gardner, Edward Foote (2000). Popular Songs of the 20th Century: Chart Detail & Encyclopedia, 1900-1949. St. Paul, Minnesota: Paragon House. ISBN 1-55778-789-1.
  5. ^ Youmans, Vincent (1923). Come On And Pet Me. New York: Harms Incorporated.
  6. ^ "Nat King Cole - Sometimes I'm Happy Lyrics". Lyrics.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  7. ^ a b c Brunswick Records in the 3500 to 3999 series
  8. ^ a b c Vocalion Records in the 15500 to 15999 series
  9. ^ a b Decca Records in the 3500 to 3999 series
  10. ^ a b Decca Records in the 27500 to 27999 series
  11. ^ Capitol Records in the 10001 to 10210 series
  12. ^ a b Supertone Records in the 9500 to 9778 series
  13. ^ a b Champion Records in the 15001 to 15499 series
  14. ^ a b Champion Records in the 15501 to 15999 series
  15. ^ a b Gennett Records in the 6000 to 6499 series
  16. ^ a b Gennett Records in the 7000 to 7323 series
  17. ^ Silvertone Records in the 5000 to 5237 series
  18. ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  19. ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  20. ^ Columbia Records in the 38500 to 38999 series
  21. ^ Columbia Records in the 36500 to 36999 series
  22. ^ Decca Records in the 1000 to 1499 series
  23. ^ Capitol Records in the 2000 to 2499 series
  24. ^ a b Mercury Records in the 1001 to 1442 series
  25. ^ Victor Records in the 25000 to 25499 series
  26. ^ a b MGM Records in the 30001 to 30499 series
  27. ^ Musicraft Records in the 201 to 597 series
  28. ^ Capitol Records in the 2500 to 2999 series
  29. ^ MGM Records in the 10000 to 10499 series
  30. ^ Laurie Records listing
  31. ^ a b Victor Records in the 20500 to 20999 series
  32. ^ Vocalion Records in the 3500 to 3999 series
  33. ^ Harmony Records released in 1949
  34. ^ National Music Lovers Records listing
  35. ^ Signature Records listing
  36. ^ MGM Records in the 30500 to 30887 series
  37. ^ a b Columbia Records in the 500-D to 999-D series
  38. ^ a b Pathé Records in the 32001 to 32508 series
  39. ^ a b Perfect Records in the 12000 to 12499 series
  40. ^ Banner Records in the 6000 series
  41. ^ Pathé Records in the 36500 to 36999 series
  42. ^ Capitol Records in the 500 to 999 series
  43. ^ Capitol Records in the 20001 to 20156 series
  44. ^ Mercury Records in the 8001 to 8310 series
  45. ^ Discovery Records listing
  46. ^ a b Columbia Records in the 39500 to 39999 series

External links edit