Spring is here!
Why doesn’t my heart go dancing?
Spring is here!
Why isn’t the waltz entrancing?
No desire, no ambition leads me
Maybe it’s because nobody needs me
This has to be the most somber standard about spring, a season that signifies rebirth and rejuvenation. In the case of “Spring is Here,” it’s more seasonal affective disorder of the spring variety. Written by the legendary duo Richard Rodgers (music) and Lorenz Hart (lyrics), “Spring is Here” debuted in the 1938 musical, I Married an Angel, which ran for 338 performances and was adapted into a film in 1942. Interestingly, Rodgers and Hart first wrote an upbeat “Spring is Here” for the 1929 Broadway show of the same name. However, that entirely different song did not go on to become a standard.
William Zinsser wrote in his book Easy to Remember: The Great American Songwriters and Their Songs that the period between 1935 and 1942 was the “astonishingly golden age of Rodgers & Hart.” That seven-year span saw them write 10 musicals, which featured such standards as “My Funny Valentine,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” and “Where or When.” An intensely loyal composer, Rodgers collaborated exclusively with Hart from 1919 until Hart’s death at age 47 in 1943. He then worked with Oscar Hammerstein II for nearly two decades until Hammerstein’s death in 1960.
“Spring is Here” is unique in that it’s a sweet, lovely melody juxtaposed with some of Hart’s saddest lyrics about unrequited love. The heart-wrenching phrase “maybe it’s because nobody loves me” is set to 10 consecutive rising notes, capped by a sudden drop to “spring is here,” and one more drop to “I hear.” This is performed to devastating effect by Frank Sinatra on the 1958 album, Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely. At the time of the recording, the Chairman of the Board was grieving his divorce from wife Ava Gardner. He channels that despair into arguably his finest recordings. Composer Alec Wilder wrote that “Spring is Here” is a “shattering ballad” and “the lyric is Hart at his best.”
While “Spring is Here” charted twice in 1938 (Leo Reisman and His Orchestra featuring vocalist Felix Knight at #14 and singer Buddy Clark at #19), jazz musicians didn’t start to record it with regularity until the 1950s with pianists leading the charge. Dave Brubeck and Erroll Gardner both recorded versions in June 1950. And in 1953, Oscar Peterson and George Shearing followed suit. [Check out our interview with Barry Avrich, director of the engrossing doc, Oscar Peterson: Black + White]. John Coltrane cut a freewheeling version for his 1958 album, Standard Coltrane, and Miles Davis recorded a stirring live version with a 21-piece orchestra conducted by Gil Evans at Carnegie Hall in 1961.
March 20 marked the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ve given you great versions of “Autumn Leaves” and “Autumn in New York.” Now it’s time we show the spring season some love. Hope you enjoy the following ten renditions of the jazz standard “Spring is Here.”
Ella Fitzgerald
Released: 1956
From the album Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book
For the second entry in Ella Fitzgerald’s heralded Song Book series, the “First Lady of Song” turns her attention to 34 standout Rodgers and Hart compositions. Buddy Bregman’s string orchestra arrangement is a perfect complement to Fitzgerald’s vocal on “Spring is Here.”
Stan Getz
Released: 1957
From the album Stan Getz ‘57
Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz had a tone so warm and elegant he earned the nickname “The Sound.” On this session for Verve, Getz is joined by valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and the results are magical.
Julie London
Released: 1958
From the album Julie Is Her Name, Volume II
On this spare but affecting two-minute recording, Julie London’s sensuous, breathy vocals are accompanied by only guitar and bass.
Frank Sinatra
Released: 1958
From the album Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely
Frank Sinatra first recorded “Spring is Here” for Columbia in 1947, but it pales in comparison to this seminal cut for the 1958 Capitol album of torch songs, Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely. (His son, Frank Sinatra Jr., would quip, “The album is so sad it should be sold by prescription only.”) On this 60th-anniversary stereo mix, engineer Larry Walsh brings out a richness not heard on previous releases.
Tony Mottola
Released: 1959
From the album Mr. Big
This prolific session guitarist released dozens of solo albums in the mid-20th century. Included on his first LP, Mr. Big, Tony Mottola gives “Spring is Here” a breezy, easy listening feel. (The album was reissued in 1963 as Guitar…Mottola).
The Four Freshmen
Released: 1959
From the album Love Lost
Beginning in 1950, male vocal quartet The Four Freshmen recorded many of their biggest hits for Capitol for over a decade. On their 1959 album Love Lost, the Four Freshman include a gorgeous rendition of “Spring is Here.” It’s easy to hear how the group’s inventive harmonies influenced The Beach Boys and Manhattan Transfer.
Bill Evans Trio
Released: 1960
From the album Portrait in Jazz
On Portrait in Jazz, Bill Evans’ third LP as a leader, the pianist breathes new life into the standard. Drummer Scott Motian’s understated approach helps Evans’ piano shine, while double bassist Scott LaFaro nearly steals the show with his flourishes. Evans called the trio’s remarkable interplay “simultaneous improvisation.”
Cal Tjader
Released: 1965
From the album Soul Sauce
Vibraphonist Cal Tjader is perhaps the most successful non-Latino leader of Latin jazz. Tjader’s vibes produce a different vibe for “Spring is Here.” (I love the Tabasco-inspired Verve album cover).
Tierney Sutton
Released: 2000
From the album Unsung Heroes
Soprano jazz singer Tierney Sutton stretches out for over 8 minutes on this interpretation, which includes an expressive piano solo from Kenny Barron.
The Supremes
Released: 2002
From the compilation The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart: The Complete Recordings
Motown R&B trio The Supremes show their versatility as they take on show tunes. Originally recorded during the sessions of the 1967 LP The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart, “Spring is Here” is among the 13 bonus tracks on this 2002 Complete Recordings CD release.
Spring is here! Why doesn’t the breeze delight me?
Stars appear, why doesn’t the night invite me?
Maybe it’s because nobody loves me
Spring is here, I hear
