I've Got You Under My Skin

Michael Buble is so much better than Harry Connick, Jr. There I said it. Anyway, Buble included this Cole Porter song on his 2005 album It's Time. However, it's quintessential recording features Frank Sinatra and Nelson Riddle's orchestra. Sinatra's version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000 as part of the album Songs for Swinging Lovers. You don't hear titles like that anymore.

When You Say Nothing At All

I love Allison Krauss & Union Station. That being said, if the therapy student who walked off with Disc 1 of my 2 CD live recording ever reads this: I want my CD back! When You Say Nothing At All was AKUS's first song to get on the charts, where it hit #3 on Billboard's Hot Country chart in 1995. It was originally part of a tribute album for Keith Whitley, who recorded the song in 1988. As a side note, Allison Krauss has won 27 Grammy's making her the 2nd most awarded artist of all time next to Quincy Jones. Pretty sweet for bluegrass.

Proud Mary

Although I prefer the original 1969 version sung by Creedence Clearwater Revival, right now I've got Tina & Ike's slow intro in my head. Two years after the song reached #2 on the charts for CCR, the Turner's cover landed at #4. Proud Mary's success led to a Grammy for Turner and remains a signature piece for her live performances.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Not sure why I woke up with the Platters this morning, not that I mind. The quintet served as a bridge between the Tin Pan Alley music era and the new Rock 'n' Roll of the 1950's. Under the direction of their manager Buck Ram, the Platters excelled at remaking old jazz, gospel, and R&B standards into pop hits. Written for Roberta, a 1933 musical, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes became a popular cover song for pretty much everyone. Jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Billie Holliday sang it, as well as rock and pop icons like Cher and Barbara Streisand. Even Led Zeppelin used part of the song during their 1971 tour in Osaka, Japan. The Platter's 1958 version of the song became the quintessential recording and was used in movie and television soundtracks alike.

The Puppy Song

I heard this song yesterday on Showstoppers on KBYI radio. Never fail, it's in my head this morning. Written by Harry Nilsson in 1969, The Puppy Song has been sung by several artists including Mary Hopkin, David Cassidy, and the 70's pop group New World. Nilsson's own version played during the opening credits of the hit movie You've Got Mail.