My One and Only Love
"My One and Only Love" is a popular song with music written by Guy Wood and lyrics by Robert Mellin. Published in 1952, it is a conventional 32-bar song with four 8-bar sections, including a bridge ("Type A" or "AABA" song structure). Invariably performed as a ballad, it has an aria-like melody that is a challenge to many vocalists; in the key of C, the song's melody extends from G below middle C to the second D above middle C.
The song originated in 1947 as “Music from Beyond the Moon” with music by Guy B. Wood and lyrics by Jack Lawrence. Vocalist Vic Damone recorded this version in 1948, but it was unsuccessful.
In 1952, Robert Mellin wrote a new title and lyrics for the song, and it was republished that year as “My One and Only Love”. When Frank Sinatra recorded it in 1953 (as Capitol 2505), it became a pop standard.
Cover versions
Horace Silver included the song in his 1957 The Stylings of Silver album.
Johnny Mathis included the song on his 1958 album Warm.
Doris Day and André Previn included the song in their 1962 Duet album. Doris also later released song on her 2011 album My Heart.
Andy Williams released a version on his 1962 album, Warm and Willing.
A very popular version appeared on the 1963 classic jazz album John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, and was later featured on the compilation album Coltrane for Lovers in 2001 and also Hartman for Lovers in 2010.
Chick Corea featured a mid-tempo version on his trio album Now He Sings, Now He Sobs in 1968.
In 1987, Chet Baker recorded a beautiful rendition of the song for the album Chet Baker Sings and Plays from the Film "Let's Get Lost".
Tenor Saxophonist Michael Brecker did his own version of the song on his 1987 debut album Michael Brecker.
Kate Ceberano covered this song in 1990, for her album Like Now.
In 1991, saxophonist Gerald Albright covered the song from his album Live at Birdland West.[1]
Pianist Joe Sample recorded an instrumental version of this song on his 1993 album Invitation.
Another version of this song can be heard in the 1995 Leaving Las Vegas romantic drama movie soundtrack, sung by Sting.
Rod Stewart included the song on his 2005 CD, Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma with jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman on the 2008 album, Songs of Joy & Peace.
Other versions include those by Dean Martin, Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Lita Roza, Magni Wentzel with Einar Iversen, trumpet, Endre Iversen, piano, Tor Braun, guitar, Erik Amundsen bass (recorded on May 2, 1960 and released on the single Odeon ND 7373), Nancy Wilson, Rickie Lee Jones, Sonny Rollins, Oscar Peterson, Jamie Cullum, Chris Botti featuring Paula Cole on vocals, and Mark Isham and Kate Ceberano on their album of duets Bittersweet (2009), Sophie Milman (released on the album Take Love Easy, 2009), Gwilym Simcock (on his 2007 release Perception) and Paul McCartney on his 2012 album, Kisses on the Bottom. The popularity of the Coltrane-Hartman version has led to numerous recordings of the tune by jazz artists, including a recent vocal/guitar performance by George Benson on Guitar Man (2012).
- In 2009 Mark Isham & Kate Ceberano recorded a version for their Bittersweet album.
Trio Desole featuring Lorraine Caron recorded the song in 2013 for their album "Sweet Surrender". Arrangement and Piano by Floyd Pientka, Anders Dahlberg on double bass.
References
External links
- "My One and Only Love" at jazzstandards.com
- Take Love Easy album preview at Sophie Milman official site, 6. "My One and Only Love"