Selvin started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. A "husky" lad, he looked older than he was and as such was permitted into such establishments.
A mere six years later, as leader of his own dance band, the "Novelty Orchestra," Selvin released the biggest-selling popular song in the first quarter-century of recorded music. That single, "Dardanella", eventually went on to sell more than 5 million copies and an additional 2 million pieces of sheet music.
According to The Guinness Book of World Records, Selvin recorded more musical sides (on 78-rpm discs) than any other person. One reason for this prolific output is that he recorded for dozens of different labels during this high-growth time in the industry, using a different name (or slightly different name) for each label. Selvin's output has been estimated at 13,000 to 20,000 song titles.
From 1927 to 1934 he was A&R Director for Columbia Records, where his many productions included scores of exceptionally well performed pop songs of the day with hot jazz solos by musicians like Manny Klein, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, and Bunny Berigan, among others. Many of these specific recordings made during this period continue to be highly collected and prized.
During the Columbia era, he recorded under many different names (for Columbia, OKeh, Odeon, Parlophone, Harmony, Diva, Velvet Tone & Clarion) including
The Broadway Nightlites
The Knickerbockers
The Columbians
The Cavaliers
Barney Trimble and his Oklahomans
Jerry Mason and his Californians
The Harmonians
Rudy Marlow and his Orchestra
Columbia Photo Players
Frank Auburn and his Orchestra
Kolster Dance Orchestra
Lloyd Keating and his Music
Earl Marlow and his Orchestra
Ed Loyd and his Orchestra
Ray Seeley and his Orchestra
Sam Nash and his Orchestra
Mickie Alpert and his Orchestra
Johnny Walker and his Orchestra
Chester Leighton and his Sophomores
Wally Edwards and his Orchestra
Roy Carroll and his Sands Point Orchestra
Buddy Campbell and his Orchestra
Golden Terrace Orchestra
Bar Harbor Society Orchestra
Ted Raph and his Orchestra
Georgia Moonlight Serenaders
Cloverdale Country Club Orchestra
Ed Parker and his Orchestra
Many of the these records during the Columbia era are highly collected and treasured examples of either jazz related pop, or sophisticated, smoothly arranged dance music.
Also, there had been incorrect reports that Ben Selvin's Band played under the name "Perley Stevens and his Orchestra", when in fact, Perley Stevens on occasion played with Ben Selvin's Band and many others, including Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras and Paul Whiteman's Band.
Selvin had an instrumental part in the development of Muzak in the mid-1930s. He was musical director of Majestic Records beginning in 1947. He was a Vice-President and A&R Director (artists and repertoire) at Columbia Records in charge of the recordings of Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark in the late 1940s and early '50s.
He was an A&R Director at RCA Victor in charge of the company's popular Camden Label and served as the Musical Director for a recording in 1954 by John Serry, Sr..
Post-retirement, he became a consultant to 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company), helping them during the transition from vinyl recordings to recordings on tape.
Selected discography of bands led by Ben Selvin:
"The Original Charleston" (the Columbia 78rpm version)
The Knickerbockers (Ben Selvin & His Orch.)
NYC - Apr. 10th, 1925
Voc. vocal breaks by Ben Selvin
Columbia 355-D, mx.140514-1
"Margie"
Selvin's Novelty Orchestra
NYC - Nov., 1920
Voc. Arthur Hall
Grey Gull L-1036-(a), mx.J-3-10
"So This Is Venice"
Ben Selvin & His Moulin Rouge Orchestra
NYC - Dec., 1923
Voc. Irving Kaufman
Vocalion A-14757, mx.12641
"Steppin' In Society" (the Columbia 78rpm version)
The Knickerbockers (Ben Selvin & His Orch.)
NYC - May 26th, 1925
Columbia 391-D, mx.W-140623-2
"We'll Have A New Home (In The Morning)"
Ben Selvin & His Orchestra
NYC - Dec. 28th, 1927
Vocs. unidentified trio
Columbia 1274-D, mx.W-145445
"Happy Days Are Here Again" (Annette Hanshaw vocal version)
Annette Hanshaw
(Ben Selvin & His Orchestra - vocs. Annette Hanshaw & The Rollickers)
NYC - Feb. 11th, 1930
Diva 3106-G; Harmony 1106-H; Velvet Tone 2106-V
"Dardanella"
(Felix Bernard - Johnny S. Black)
(Six Million Seller - No. 1 hit for 13 weeks, 24 in charts)
Selvin's Novelty Orchestra
NYC - Nov. 20th, 1919
Victor 18633-A, mx.23344-3
"I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"
(Kellette - Kenbrovin)
(No. 1 hit for 4 weeks)
Selvin's Novelty Orchestra
NYC - Jul. 31st, 1919
Victor 18603-A, mx.B-22966-6
"Manhattan"
(Richard Rodgers - Lorenz Hart)
(No. 1 hit for 4 weeks)
The Knickerbockers (Ben Selvin & His Orch.)
NYC - Jul. 15th, 1925
Columbia 422-D, mx.W-140765
"Sentimental Me"
(Richard Rodgers - Lorenz Hart)
(No. 2 hit)
The Knickerbockers (Ben Selvin & His Orch.)
NYC - Jul. 15th, 1925
Columbia 422-D, mx.W-140766
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love"
(James "Jimmy" McHugh - Dorothy Fields)
(No. 2 hit)
The Knickerbockers (Ben Selvin & His Orch.) -
Voc. Vaughn DeLeath
NYC - Jun. 1st, 1928
Columbia 1424-D, mx.W-146380
"You're The Cream In My Coffee"
(Ray Henderson - Buddy G. DeSylva - Lew Brown)
(No. 2 hit)
Eddie Thomas' Collegians (and/or) The Broadway Nitelites (Ben Selvin & His Orch.) -
Voc. Jack Parker
NYC - Oct. 19th, 1928
Columbia 1604-D, mx.W-147140-3
Good For You
Ben Selvin & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
'Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
The moon may be high,
But I can't see a thing in the sky
'Cause I only have eyes for you
I don't know if we're in a garden
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all dissappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
These lyrics are about a person who is so deeply in love that they can’t focus on anything or anyone else but their significant other. They ask if the stars are out, but it doesn’t matter whether it’s cloudy or bright because they’re only focused on their partner. Even if the moon is high in the sky, they can’t see anything else because their love for their partner is all-consuming.
They also express that they are not sure where they are, whether they are in a garden or on a crowded street, as their focus is solely on their partner’s presence. They mention that millions of people could be passing by, but they don’t notice anyone else because their love for the other person is so intense.
The lyrics overall convey a sense of complete and total devotion to one person. The singer is entirely lost in their love for their partner and nothing else matters.
Line by Line Meaning
Are the stars out tonight?
I'm not aware of the weather conditions at night.
I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright
I'm not sure if it's a cloudy or a clear night sky.
‘Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
I am deeply in love with you and only you.
The moon may be high,
Even if the moon is shining up above,
But I can’t see a thing in the sky
I am so blinded by my love for you that I can't focus on anything else.
I don’t know if we’re in a garden
I'm not sure where we are right now, whether it's a garden or a busy street.
Or on a crowded avenue
We could be walking in a busy street where there are a lot of people around.
You are here, so am I
Despite the surroundings, we are together right now.
Maybe millions of people go by
Even if there are many people surrounding us,
But they all disappear from view
I don't pay any attention to anyone else but you, who is the most important person in my life.
And I only have eyes for you
I am completely devoted to you and you only.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Dubin, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janette Walker
Great Selvin - really enjoyed listening again today, so many years after you recorded it.
Bigband Lou
Isn't 2reeler Biff's version so professional? His videos put mine to shame. Was just going to bed when I saw you commented. Years ago on YT we knew who else was on at the present time. Had a storm that knocked out our power for a while ( screws up the computers).GOOD NIGHT
Janette Walker
I looked but not on YT so watched 2reeler version and another with Louis Armstrong - nice.
Bigband Lou
Janette,I also had the Geo Olsen version with Fred MacMurray on the vocal but I can't locate it.
Sharon1944
This is a great song Lou. Some nice fun photos too!
mf1932
"We'll count the hugs and kisses when dividends are due..."
Bigband Lou
I like the 1920s photo of the flapper sitting on the moon.
david peri
heard part of this song in the documentary, The Crash of 1929...thought I would surf for this music.
Bigband Lou
You're wecome,Steve.
Bigband Lou
@mf1932 ,Was that Bernie Madoff?