Ella Fitzgerald - Midnight Sun (1957)

MIDNIGHT SUN

"Midnight Sun" (1954) was originally an instrumental composed by Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke in 1947 and is now considered a jazz standard.
Subsequently, Johnny Mercer wrote the words to the song.

One famous recording of the song with the Mercer lyrics is by Ella Fitzgerald on her album "Like Someone in Love" (1957) accompanied by a studio orchestra arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol. This album represents a fine example of Ella's singing from this period, recorded at the same time as her albums with Louis Armstrong.

The album was also recorded in the midst of her epic 'Songbooks' project, celebrating the composers of the 'Great American Songbook' and Broadway. The album features only four songs written by the composers featured in her 'Songbooks', instead concentrating on very famous ballads by lesser known writers. Some songs on the album were also recorded with Armstrong on the albums that they collaborated on from this period. The famous American saxophonist Stan Getz is featured on tenor sax on four tracks, including "Midnight Sun" and "You're Blasé". Ted Nash plays the alto sax and solos. Cover photos are by the great Phil Stern.

(Wikipedia)

LYRICS

Your lips were like a red and ruby chalice, warmer than the summer night
The clouds were like an alabaster palace rising to a snowy height.
Each star its own aurora borealis, suddenly you held me tight
I could see the Midnight Sun.

I can't explain the silver rain that found me--or was that a moonlit veil?
The music of the universe around me, or was that a nightingale?
And then your arms miraculously found me,suddenly the sky turned pale,
I could see the Midnight Sun.

Was there such a night, it's a thrill I still don't quite believe,
But after you were gone, there was still some stardust on my sleeve.

The flame of it may dwindle to an ember, and the stars forget to shine,
And we may see the meadow in December, icy white and crystalline,
But oh my darling always I'll remember when your lips were close to mine,
And we saw the Midnight Sun.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ella Fitzgerald
• Like Someone in Love
• Midnight Sun
• Crooner
• Torch Singer
• Vocal Jazz
• Love Song
• Johnny Mercer
• Lionel Hampton
• Johnny Burke

[Victor1930]

C'mon - let's credit those brilliant, elegant lyrics. This stuff doesn't just fall from heaven, you know. Thanks, JOHNNY MERCER, for your brilliant contribution to this hauntingly beautiful moment in time! (Sorry, I have this "respect for artists" thing.)

[sondenkind]

@Victor1930 updated tags & credits : )

[federicocasari]

Arranged by Nelson Riddle. Great standard!

[sondenkind]

@federicocasari Wikipedia says it's conducted and arranged by Frank DeVol

[nowittycomment]

Big thanks for the upload. This is my favorite version of this song.

[sondenkind]

yes, mine too!

[MrDredhammer]

Singing this solo at an open mic later this week, thank you ella for some good phrasing ideas!

[BeBop1939]

@Victor1930

Absolutely in agreement regarding Johnny Mercer's lyrics. Only a genius (a lyric genius that is) could manage to incorporate the words 'aurora borealis' into song lyrics. What makes it even worse for for mere humans (like you and yours truly) was the fact that generally Johnny Mercer found it not too difficult to generate lyrics for the targetted song or music. Apparently Mr Mercer heard the Midnight Sun tune then wrote the lyrics i.e.QED Quite Easily Done!

[6040Jackie]

@Victor1930 As a vocalist, I always give kudos to the lyricist. Thanks Victor.

[MaryShelley72]

@nowittycomment The ULTIMATE version of this song!

[ibwilliamsi]

@Victor1930 Don't forget to thank Lionel Hampton for the tune.

[ibwilliamsi]

My god... her voice...

[mscarolannstaples]

Oh yea... it's old but still very hip...

[SapphyreSoul]

Ella... one of the many deeply planted roots of the Musical Tree of Life. Where would we possibly be without the incredible talent that has blessed our ears over decades of time? Timeless vocals that still echo through the infinite stretch of universe beyond us. Music will never be the same, but we can never forget what true music is; and Ms. Fitzgerald is a prime example. Dreams are made of lyrics like these, so close your eyes and let Ella's chords take you to them.

[kndrulzzz]

I just... LOVE her, thats it.