Jo Stafford (born Jo Elizabeth Stafford, 12 November 1917, in Coalinga, Cal… Read Full Bio ↴Jo Stafford (born Jo Elizabeth Stafford, 12 November 1917, in Coalinga, California and died July 16, 2008 at Century City, California) was an American jazz and big band singer whose career spanned the late 1930s through the early 1960s. She was known especially as a fond favorite of name bandleaders during World War II and in the years immediately after. Stafford was greatly admired for the purity of her voice and was considered one of the most versatile vocalists of the era. Even now, hers are widely held as the supreme versions of jazz standards "It Could Happen to You" and "Blue Moon." She sang with male partners on occasion, including Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. She was also considered a pioneer of modern musical parody, having won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 1961 (with husband Paul Weston) for their album Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris.

Simple Melody
Jo Stafford Lyrics

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Won't you play some simple melody
Like my mother sang to me
One with a good old-fashioned harmony
Play some simple melody

Musical demon, set your honey a-dreamin',
Won't you play me some rag
Just change that classical nag to some sweet beautiful drag

If you will play from a copy of a tune
That is choppy you'll get all my applause
And that is simply because I wanna listen to rag

Play for me
That good old-fashioned harmony
Oh, won't you play for me
A simple melody

Play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
You'll get all of my applause because

I wanna rag it
Ragtime melody

Overall Meaning

The song "Play a Simple Melody" by Jo Stafford is a nostalgic tune about the desire for a simple, old-fashioned melody. The lyrics speak of a musical demon who is requested to play a ragtime melody to replace a classical tune, and to evoke sweet, beautiful dreams for the listener. The singer yearns for a tune that they can sing along to, that reminds them of a melody their mother had sung to them in childhood. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing for simpler times and a desire to connect with the past through music that reminds one of home.

The song was written by Irving Berlin in 1914 and has been covered by numerous artists, including Bing Crosby and Judy Garland. The song has become a classic standard of popular music, and its catchy melody and relatable lyrics have made it a popular choice for jazz bands and vocalists alike. "Play a Simple Melody" is often performed as a duet with the two singers alternating between the two melodies in counterpoint.

Line by Line Meaning

Won't you play some simple melody
Please play a straightforward piece of music

Like my mother sang to me
Similar to the songs my mother used to sing to me

One with a good old-fashioned harmony
A tune with a traditional and easy-to-follow melody

Play some simple melody
Again, requesting a basic and uncomplicated tune

Musical demon, set your honey a-dreamin'
A talented musician who can put the listener into a dream-like state with their playing

Won't you play me some rag
Please perform a lively and upbeat song in the ragtime genre

Just change that classical nag to some sweet beautiful drag
Instead of playing a boring classical piece, play a more exciting and enjoyable ragtime tune

Simple MelodyJo Stafford Lyrics

Simple Melody
Jo Stafford Lyrics