Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians - Auld Lang Syne (1947)

Born Gaetano Alberto Lombardo in Ontario 1902, this Canadian-American was a largely successful bandleader, violinist, and hydroplane speedboat racer. Coming from Italian parents who had moved to Canada, Guy and his brothers had always been singing since a very young age. Guy himself put on his first vocal performance at the age of twelve, and was recording in studios by twenty-one. He formed The Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert, Victor, and other friends from his hometown and led them to international success through the late ‘20s and 1930s. At the time of the band’s success, many jazz and big-band purists had found their music to corny. Fortunately for them, the general public loved it.

Lombardo and his band would also go on to be associated with New Year’s Eve, as they played on the radio (and later television) each New Year’s Eve from 1928 until 1976. This song, now associated with the New Year’s Eve celebration and New Year’s Day itself, was popularized by Lombardo and his band when they began playing it each year starting in 1929. This particular version of the song was recorded on September 29, 1947 and was published by Decca Records as a single. Although Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve would eventually become popular with younger viewers, Lombardo’s New Year’s Specials remained popular with older viewers. Traditionally, Lombardo's version of the song is the first song played after the ball has dropped on midnight in Time Square, New York.

Also, see what other New Year's Eve related music we have.



Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians - Auld Lang Syne (1947)

Loading the ABLYAM player...(Might not work on mobile devices)

Lyrics:

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Dean Martin - Sway (1954)

Known as “The King of Cool,” this iconic legend was a television star, movie actor, comedian, and singer. Born in 1917, Dino and his friends Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. made up the core of the ‘60s version of the “Rat Pack”. He is also remembered as the straight man in a comedy act with friend Jerry Lewis (father of Gary Lewis from Gary Lewis and the Playboys). As with all stars of this caliber, his life and legacy couldn’t possibly be summarized here.

This song, originally titled “¿Quién será?,” was a Mexican mambo song by bandleader Pablo Beltrán Ruiz in 1953. This version’s lyrics, in English, were written by Norman Gimbel. It reached number sixteen in the US and number six in the UK. Although it doesn’t fit in with the usual genres of music found on this site, I figured it wouldn’t be a bad thing for a little variety now and again. I hope you’ll agree.



Dean Martin - Sway (1954)

Loading the ABLYAM player...(Might not work on mobile devices)

Lyrics:

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me; make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close; sway me more

Like a flower bendin’ in the breeze
Bend with me; sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me; sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth; sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth; sway me now
(Sway me now)

You know how
Sway me smooth; sway me now

Glenn Miller and His Orchestra - In the Mood (1939)

He was the most popular bandleader there was in the late 1930s and early ’40s, the era of swing. He led his orchestra to achieving great amounts of success with songs like “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “At Last,” “(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo,” “Tuxedo Junction,” and his largest hit heard below. On December 15th, 1944, he was on his way to entertain American troops in France, during World War II, when his plane disappeared in the bad weather over the English Channel. He was pronounced missing in action and presumably died that day.

This song is the epitome of big band and swing music. Despite being released in 1939, it wasn’t until 1940 that it held the number one spot for thirteen weeks. You may also recognize the opening of this song from being sampled by The Beatles in 1967. At three minutes and three seconds in, on their song "All You Need Is Love," you can hear the start of this song.



Glenn Miller and His Orchestra - In the Mood (1939)

Loading the ABLYAM player...(Might not work on mobile devices)

Lyrics:

(instrumental)