Black Coffee (1948)

Webster/Burke

"A woman's born to weep and fret, to stay at home and tend her lovin'

And drown her past regrets, in coffee and cigarettes."

What is it about old coffee cans that makes artists want keep them around for stuff?  They can hold paintbrushes, paint... visit the homestead of Jackson Pollock and you will see the ones he used. Lee Krasner, artist and wife to Pollock certainly must have done a good amount of "staying home and tendin' her lovin," trying to dry Jackson out and quit the booze. (Sadly, she lost the battle.) Peggy Lee does a simply knock-out version of this song, a bluesy, caffeine-y, swinging ballad. Her voice is modern, cool and edgy similar to one of Pollock's paintings.

CHORUS

I'm feelin' mightly lonesome, Haven't slept a wink,
I walk the floor and watch the door
and in between I drink.....Black coffee,
Love's a hand me down brew
I'll never know a Sunday
in this weekday room.

I'm talking to the shadows
1 o'clock to four,
and lord how slow the moments go
when all I do is pour Black coffee
Since the blues caught my eye.
I'm hanging out on Monday,
My Sunday dreams to dry.

Now a man is born to go a lovin'
A woman's born to weep and fret
To stay at home and tend her lovin'
And drown her past regrets in coffee and cigarettes.

I'm moonin' all the mornin', mournin' all the night
and in between it's nicotine and not much heart to fight
Black coffee
Feelin' low as the ground,
it's drivin' me crazy, this waitin' for my baby
To maybe come around.

My nerves have gone to pieces
My hair is turnin' grey
All I do is drink black coffee,
Since my man's gone away.

My Melancholy Baby (1911)

Burnett/Norton

One of the very first Ella tunes I ever knew, and what a treat to become acquainted with her through this song -- although it was nearly 100 years old already. How can you go wrong with the likes of Teddy Wilson on keys and Cozy Cole on drums? I auditioned for a singing telegram messenger with this song; the manager was astounded that someone still sang the song. (I did not take the job.) 

Many years later Ella re-recorded the song with just piano in a lower key. Kills it, as usual. When you have sung a song for 40 years, you really know it.

"All your fears are foolish, fancy, 'maybes'
You know, dear, that I'm in love with you;

VERSE

Why do you grieve?
Try and believe
Life is always sunshine
When the heart beats true
Banish your fears
Smile through your tears
When you're sad
It makes me feel the same as you...


CHORUS

Come to me my melancholy baby
Cuddle up and don't be blue
All your fears are foolish, fancy, 'maybes'
You know, dear, that I'm in love with you;


Every cloud must have a silver lining
Wait until the sun shines through
Come on and smile, my honey dear,
While I kiss away each tear
Or else I shall be melancholy too...