"Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" Frank Sinatra

One of my favorite Sinatra songs from the 40s "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)" written in 1942 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Phil Silvers (yes, Sergeant Bilko) was recorded by Frank Sinatra for Columbia Records on August 22, 1945 in Hollywood. The song was arranged and conducted by Axel Stordahl. According to Jimmy Van Heusen, he and his lyricist Johnny Burke were working at 20th Century-Fox composing for a film. While Burke was out of their writer's bungalow, Phil Silvers, the comedian, a friend to both, entered and suggested that they write a song for Johnny's wife, Bessie, who was soon to celebrate a birthday. Silvers provided the lyrics, later revised by Van Heusen and Burke. At the party they sang "Bessie... with the laughing face" It was such a hit that they used it at other female birthday events. When they sang it as "Nancy... with the laughing face" at little Nancy Sinatra's birthday party, Frank broke down and cried thinking that it was written specially for his daughter - the trio wisely didn't correct him. The song can be found on the Columbia CD box set, The Best of the Columbia Years, 1943-1952.

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[Arieliondotcom]

I agree that his 40s voice was incomparable and already began to fade in the 50s but was so great that the memory and reputation of it carried him another 50 years.

[catman916]

I voice deepened and matured in the 1950s, but, in my opinion, did not deteriorate until later, certainly by the early 1970s. I think that he kept recording longer than he should have. Some singers, like Keely Smith, still sound pretty decent in old age, but Sinatra was not one of them.

[yowzephyr]

Sinatra's music had a lower quality in this earlier period (altho I'm sure it was wonderful for its time) that later evolved into something magnificent somewhere along the '50s.

Elvis on the other hand was the opposite, most magnificent in his early period, and then his art declining in his later decades.

The Beatles tho were celestial in both their early and later stages. No doubt because they had two geniuses on board.

But Sinatra in his later period is the greatest performer of all time.

[catman916]

I disagree that the quality of his output in the 1940s was lower than that of the 50s. His voice did mature by the early 50s and the arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Billy May, and Gordon Jenkins were wonderful, but so were those of Axel Stordahl in the 40s. After you listen to more of this period, I'm sure that you will agree with me.

[MsRockett88]

There are many interpretations of this , many that I love - John Coltrane, Ray Charles, Grant Green to name a few. But I must admit this is the one that touches my heart the most. There is a truth in Frank Sinatra's voice that no one can match.

[catman916]

He was to record this again later, but this is my favorite version.

[nancie36]

my father gave me this song. very special to me

[maureen1938]

And here we go down Memory Lane again with this lovely oldie from Frankie. Always delightful to listen to him. THANK YOU for posting.

[Skumdifus]

Young people today!

Oh, for crying out loud, listen to yourselves :D

[mollendinousa]

time to drink a cup of champagne. Salute!

[juliouszappalino]

welcome back paulie :)

[Nola Blanche Spaulding-Tope]

This song was obviously written for his daughter, even though she was just a baby at the time.

[FRANK CRESTA]

MY FRIEND, YOU ARE SO RIGHT. FRANK SHOULD OF RETIRED AND STAY RETIRED. WE BOTH LOVE FRANK SINATRA AND AS YOU KNOW I TO WANT TO PERSUE A SINGING CARRER AT 71. BUT THE DIFFERANCE IS I DIDN'T ABUSE MY BODY WITH BOOZE OR CIGARETTES. YOUR VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE.

[Meredith Foster]

Exquisite!.

[musicbuff9]

Yes I agree! These new artists suck and have no talent.

[musicbuff9]

Great song By Frank. Music at it's best.