Ruth Etting, Ben Selvin - "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" (1930)

Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
Words by Al Dubin
Music by Joe Burke
Performed by Ben Selvin and His Orchestra
Vocal refrain by Ruth Etting
Recorded May 15, 1930

Ben Selvin (1898 - 1980) was the recording director at Columbia records. Still in his thirties, Selvin already had nearly two decades in the music business as a violinist, an orchestra leader, a songwriter, a music contractor, a radio conductor and a recording artist. His 1918 rendition of "Dardenella" is said to be the first record to sell more than a million copies. As recording director for Columbia Selvin organized sessions for popular singers like Ruth Etting, Ethel Waters and Kate Smith and produced dates by studio groups that were sometimes released under his own name, sometimes under pseudonyms as The Columbia Photo Players and The Midnight Minstrels. He was also supervised many of Benny Goodman's early recording sessions, featuring Tommy Dorsey, Manny Kline, Adrian Rollini, Rube Bloom and Eddie Lang.

Ruth Etting (1897 - 1978) was born in David City, Nebraska. She attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts; originally intended to be a fashion designer; At 17 she got a job in a Chicago night club working on costumes. Debut in chorus of revue at the Marigold Gardens Theatre, Chicago, 1925. She sang on early radio eventually winning title of "Chicago's Sweetheart." New York stage debut in the 1927 edition of Ziegfeld Follies (New Amsterdam), August 16, 1927. Appeared in the same theatre, December 4, 1928, in "Whoopee" with Eddie Cantor. Several other reviews including the "Ziegfeld Follies of 1931." Debut in London in "Transatlantic Rhythm" at the Adelphi, October 1, 1934. Made several films, the best-remembered being "Roman Scandals", 1933. Composed several popular songs, "Wistful and Blue" and "When You're With Somebody Else' and "Maybe, Who Knows," being among them. Doris Day played the role of Etting in the 1955 movie "Love Me or Leave Me." James Cagney co-starred.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
• Ben Selvin
• Ruth Etting
• original
• 1930
• Al Dubin
• Joe Burke
• waltz
• torch
• song

[funkindemup]

I have this record and about 300+ others like it from this era, does anyone know if they're worth any thing? if so how much? Any information/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

[bsgs98]

@funkindemup There is no simple answer to that question. It depends on how rare the record is and its condition. 1920s jazz and blues seem to be the most desirable. A record dealer might offer you only 20% of what a true collector is willing to pay. Check Ebay for an idea of what dealers are asking. I would say that most of these old records would range from between $2 and $10. In the 1960s I was able to buy them for 10 cents a piece.

[RadyBreier]

I, like you, have hundreds. Yes, they are - or can - be worth a mint, but it's so hard to find buyers. I happen to love the music of this era, and generally pay 50p per disk, only because the shop owner says she hasn't the time to look each one one up and price them. You can always put them out there on an Ebay or Craig's list. Email me if we could work out some sort of deal or trade jbuntyn83@gmail.com. Cheers.

[seerider45]

A very beautiful song ! Thanks for sharing !