Monsters Lead Such Interesting Lives (Film Version from 'Daffy Duck's Quackbusters', 1988)
Melvin Howard Tormé (1925–1999) was born to immigrant Russian Jewish parent… Read Full Bio ↴Melvin Howard Tormé (1925–1999) was born to immigrant Russian Jewish parents whose name had been Torma. A child prodigy, he first sang professionally at 4 with the Coon-Sanders Orchestra, singing "You're Driving Me Crazy," at Chicago's Blackhawk restaurant. 1933-41, he acted in the network radio serials "The Romance of Helen Trent" and "Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy." He wrote his first song at 13 and three years later, his first published song, "Lament to Love," became a hit recording for Harry James. He played drums in Chicago's Shakespeare Elementary School drum and bugle corps in his early teens. While a teen-ager, he sang, arranged, and played drums in a band led by Chico Marx of the Marx Brothers. His formal education ended in 1944, with his graduation from Chicago's Hyde Park High School.
In 1943, Torme made his movie debut in Frank Sinatra's first film, the musical "Higher and Higher." He went on to sing and act in a number of films and television episodes throughout his career, even hosting his own television show in 1951-52. His appearance in the 1947 film musical "Good News" made him a teen idol for a few years. In the last years of his career he toured and sang with the wonderful George Shearing Quartet, often sitting in at drums, for a number or two in a set. To hear two such accomplished jazz artists was an evening not to be forgotten.
In that year he also formed the vocal quintet "Mel Torme and His Mel-Tones," modeled after Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers. The Mel-Tones, which included Les Baxter and Ginny O'Connor, had several hits fronting Artie Shaw's band and on their own, including Cole Porter's "What is This Thing Called Love?" The Mel-Tones were among the first jazz-influenced vocal groups, blazing a path later followed by The Hi-Los, The Four Freshmen, and The Manhattan Transfer.
In 1947, Torme went solo. His singing at New York's Copacabana led a local DJ, Fred Robbins, to give him the nickname "The Velvet Fog", thinking to honor his high tenor and smooth vocal style, but Torme detested the nickname. As a solo singer, he recorded a number of romantic hits for Decca (1945), and with the Artie Shaw Orchestra on the Musicraft label (1946-48). In 1949, he moved to Capitol Records, where his first record, "Careless Hands," became his only number one hit. His versions of "Again" and "Blue Moon" became signature tunes. His composition "California Suite," prompted by the Gordon Jenkins's "Manhattan Tower," became Capitol's first 12 inch LP. Around this time, he helped pioneer cool jazz.
From 1955 to 1957, Torme recorded 7 jazz vocal albums with Red Clyde's Bethlehem Records, all with groups led by Marty Paich, most notably "Mel Torme with the Marty Paich Dektette." These recordings proved a creative peak for Torme and for Paich, a leading figure in the West coast jazz of the time.
When rock & roll music (which Torme called "three chord manure") came on the scene in the 1950s, commercial success became elusive. During the next two decades, Torme often recorded mediocre arrangements of the pop tunes of the day, never staying long with any particular label. He was sometimes forced to make his living by singing in obscure clubs. He had two minor hits, his 1956 recording of "Mountain Greenery," and his 1962 R&B song "Comin' Home, Baby," arranged by Claus Ogerman. The latter recording led the jazz and gospel singer Ethel Waters to say that "Torme is the only white man who sings with the soul of a black man." It was later covered instrumentally by Quincy Jones and Kai Winding.
In 1963–64, Torme wrote songs and musical arrangements for the The Judy Garland Show, and made two guest appearances on the show itself. A few years later, after Garland's death, his time with her show became the subject of his first book, "The Other Side of the Rainbow." Although the book was praised, it led to an unsuccessful lawsuit by Garland's family.
Torme continued to play jazz drums as an adult, and befriended drummer Buddy Rich, who became the subject of his book "Traps-The Drum Wonder-The Life of Buddy Rich." Torme also owned and played a drumset that renowned drummer Gene Krupa had used for many years.
Although a jazz and popular musician, Torme also respected classical music, especially that of Frederick Delius and Percy Grainger.
The resurgence of vocal jazz in the 1970s resulted in another artistically fertile period for Torme, whose live performances during the 1960s and 70s fueled a growing reputation as a jazz singer. He found himself performing as often as 200 times a year around the globe. In 1976, he won an Edison Award (the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy) for best male singer, and a Downbeat award for best male jazz singer. For a number of years around this time, his September appearances at Michael's Pub, on the Upper East Side would unofficially open New York's fall cabaret season.
Tormé viewed his 1977 Carnegie Hall concert with George Shearing and Gerry Mulligan as a turning point. Shearing later said:
"It is impossible to imagine a more compatible musical partner… I humbly put forth that Mel and I had the best musical marriage in many a year. We literally breathed together during our countless performances. As Mel put it, we were two bodies of one musical mind."
Starting in 1982, Torme recorded a number of albums with Concord Records, including:
* Five albums with pianist George Shearing;
* His big band work with Rob McConnell and his Boss Brass orchestra (see Mel Torme, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass);
* A reunion with Marty Paich, resulting in a live recording in Tokyo (In Concert Tokyo) and a studio album (Reunion).
In the 1980s, he often performed with pianist John Colianni. In the last years of his career he toured and sang with the wonderful George Shearing Quartet, often sitting in at drums, for a number or two in a set. To hear two such accomplished jazz artists was an evening not to be forgotten.
Torme made 9 guest appearances as himself on the 1980s sitcom Night Court whose main character, Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson), was depicted as an unabashed Tormé fan. In the mid-90s, Torme gained a following among Generation Xers by appearing in a series of Mountain Dew commercials and on an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, in which he dedicates a song to the character Kramer (played by Michael Richards). Torme also recorded a version of Nat King Cole's "Straighten up and Fly Right" with his son, alternative/adult contemporary/jazz singer Steve March Torme.
In February 1999, Tormé was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. On August 8, 1996, a stroke abruptly ended his 65-year singing career; another stroke in 1999 ended his life. In his eulogistic essay, John Andrews wrote about Tormé: "Tormé's style shared much with that of his idol, Ella Fitzgerald. Both were firmly rooted in the foundation of the swing era, but both seemed able to incorporate bebop innovations to keep their performances sounding fresh and contemporary. Like Sinatra, they sang with perfect diction and brought out the emotional content of the lyrics through subtle alterations of phrasing and harmony. Ballads were characterized by paraphrasing of the original melody which always seemed tasteful, appropriate and respectful to the vision of the songwriter. Unlike Sinatra, both Fitzgerald and Tormé were likely to cut loose during a swinging up-tempo number with several scat choruses, using their voices without words to improvise a solo like a brass or reed instrument."
Tormé wrote more than 250 songs, a number of which became jazz standards. He also often wrote the arrangements for the songs he sang. He often collaborated with Bob Wells, and the best known Tormé-Wells song is "The Christmas Song", often referred to by its opening line "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." First recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946, it has been a holiday favorite ever since. Tormé said that he wrote the music to the song in only 40 minutes, and that it was not one of his personal favorites.
In 1943, Torme made his movie debut in Frank Sinatra's first film, the musical "Higher and Higher." He went on to sing and act in a number of films and television episodes throughout his career, even hosting his own television show in 1951-52. His appearance in the 1947 film musical "Good News" made him a teen idol for a few years. In the last years of his career he toured and sang with the wonderful George Shearing Quartet, often sitting in at drums, for a number or two in a set. To hear two such accomplished jazz artists was an evening not to be forgotten.
In that year he also formed the vocal quintet "Mel Torme and His Mel-Tones," modeled after Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers. The Mel-Tones, which included Les Baxter and Ginny O'Connor, had several hits fronting Artie Shaw's band and on their own, including Cole Porter's "What is This Thing Called Love?" The Mel-Tones were among the first jazz-influenced vocal groups, blazing a path later followed by The Hi-Los, The Four Freshmen, and The Manhattan Transfer.
In 1947, Torme went solo. His singing at New York's Copacabana led a local DJ, Fred Robbins, to give him the nickname "The Velvet Fog", thinking to honor his high tenor and smooth vocal style, but Torme detested the nickname. As a solo singer, he recorded a number of romantic hits for Decca (1945), and with the Artie Shaw Orchestra on the Musicraft label (1946-48). In 1949, he moved to Capitol Records, where his first record, "Careless Hands," became his only number one hit. His versions of "Again" and "Blue Moon" became signature tunes. His composition "California Suite," prompted by the Gordon Jenkins's "Manhattan Tower," became Capitol's first 12 inch LP. Around this time, he helped pioneer cool jazz.
From 1955 to 1957, Torme recorded 7 jazz vocal albums with Red Clyde's Bethlehem Records, all with groups led by Marty Paich, most notably "Mel Torme with the Marty Paich Dektette." These recordings proved a creative peak for Torme and for Paich, a leading figure in the West coast jazz of the time.
When rock & roll music (which Torme called "three chord manure") came on the scene in the 1950s, commercial success became elusive. During the next two decades, Torme often recorded mediocre arrangements of the pop tunes of the day, never staying long with any particular label. He was sometimes forced to make his living by singing in obscure clubs. He had two minor hits, his 1956 recording of "Mountain Greenery," and his 1962 R&B song "Comin' Home, Baby," arranged by Claus Ogerman. The latter recording led the jazz and gospel singer Ethel Waters to say that "Torme is the only white man who sings with the soul of a black man." It was later covered instrumentally by Quincy Jones and Kai Winding.
In 1963–64, Torme wrote songs and musical arrangements for the The Judy Garland Show, and made two guest appearances on the show itself. A few years later, after Garland's death, his time with her show became the subject of his first book, "The Other Side of the Rainbow." Although the book was praised, it led to an unsuccessful lawsuit by Garland's family.
Torme continued to play jazz drums as an adult, and befriended drummer Buddy Rich, who became the subject of his book "Traps-The Drum Wonder-The Life of Buddy Rich." Torme also owned and played a drumset that renowned drummer Gene Krupa had used for many years.
Although a jazz and popular musician, Torme also respected classical music, especially that of Frederick Delius and Percy Grainger.
The resurgence of vocal jazz in the 1970s resulted in another artistically fertile period for Torme, whose live performances during the 1960s and 70s fueled a growing reputation as a jazz singer. He found himself performing as often as 200 times a year around the globe. In 1976, he won an Edison Award (the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy) for best male singer, and a Downbeat award for best male jazz singer. For a number of years around this time, his September appearances at Michael's Pub, on the Upper East Side would unofficially open New York's fall cabaret season.
Tormé viewed his 1977 Carnegie Hall concert with George Shearing and Gerry Mulligan as a turning point. Shearing later said:
"It is impossible to imagine a more compatible musical partner… I humbly put forth that Mel and I had the best musical marriage in many a year. We literally breathed together during our countless performances. As Mel put it, we were two bodies of one musical mind."
Starting in 1982, Torme recorded a number of albums with Concord Records, including:
* Five albums with pianist George Shearing;
* His big band work with Rob McConnell and his Boss Brass orchestra (see Mel Torme, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass);
* A reunion with Marty Paich, resulting in a live recording in Tokyo (In Concert Tokyo) and a studio album (Reunion).
In the 1980s, he often performed with pianist John Colianni. In the last years of his career he toured and sang with the wonderful George Shearing Quartet, often sitting in at drums, for a number or two in a set. To hear two such accomplished jazz artists was an evening not to be forgotten.
Torme made 9 guest appearances as himself on the 1980s sitcom Night Court whose main character, Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson), was depicted as an unabashed Tormé fan. In the mid-90s, Torme gained a following among Generation Xers by appearing in a series of Mountain Dew commercials and on an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, in which he dedicates a song to the character Kramer (played by Michael Richards). Torme also recorded a version of Nat King Cole's "Straighten up and Fly Right" with his son, alternative/adult contemporary/jazz singer Steve March Torme.
In February 1999, Tormé was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. On August 8, 1996, a stroke abruptly ended his 65-year singing career; another stroke in 1999 ended his life. In his eulogistic essay, John Andrews wrote about Tormé: "Tormé's style shared much with that of his idol, Ella Fitzgerald. Both were firmly rooted in the foundation of the swing era, but both seemed able to incorporate bebop innovations to keep their performances sounding fresh and contemporary. Like Sinatra, they sang with perfect diction and brought out the emotional content of the lyrics through subtle alterations of phrasing and harmony. Ballads were characterized by paraphrasing of the original melody which always seemed tasteful, appropriate and respectful to the vision of the songwriter. Unlike Sinatra, both Fitzgerald and Tormé were likely to cut loose during a swinging up-tempo number with several scat choruses, using their voices without words to improvise a solo like a brass or reed instrument."
Tormé wrote more than 250 songs, a number of which became jazz standards. He also often wrote the arrangements for the songs he sang. He often collaborated with Bob Wells, and the best known Tormé-Wells song is "The Christmas Song", often referred to by its opening line "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." First recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946, it has been a holiday favorite ever since. Tormé said that he wrote the music to the song in only 40 minutes, and that it was not one of his personal favorites.
Monsters Lead Such Interesting Lives
Mel Tormé Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Mel Tormé:
'round Midnight It begins to tell, 'round midnight, midnight. I do pretty we…
(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 If you ever plan to motor west, Travel my way, take…
42nd Street Come and meet Those dancing feet On the avenue I'm taking yo…
A Cottage for Sale Our little dream castle with every dream gone, Is lonely and…
A Fine Romance A fine romance, with no kisses. A fine romance, my friend,…
A Foggy Day I was a stranger in the city Out of…
A Ghost Of A Chance With You I need your love so badly, I love you, oh,…
A House Is Not A Home A chair is still a chair Even when there's no one…
A Little Kiss Each Morning We'll be so happy, we'll always sing If we remember one…
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square That certain night, the night we met There was magic abroad…
A Shine On Your Shoes When there's a shine on your shoes There's a melody in…
A Sleepin' Bee When a bee lies sleepin' In the palm of your hand You're…
A Stranger In Town Just arrived on the seven-ten Thought I'd see the old gang…
A Time For Us A time for us some day there'll be When chains are…
Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negativ…
Adios Adios In leaving you it grieves me to say Adios I'll be so…
After the Waltz Is Over After the waltz is over After the music ends After I held…
After You've Gone Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
Again This couldn't happen again This is that once in a lifetime T…
All God's Chillun Got Rhythm Chillun', listen here to me This is my philosophy To see me…
All I Need Is a Girl Got my tweed pressed, got my best vest, all I…
All In Fun All is fair in love Love's a crazy game Two…
All in Love Is Fair All is fair in love Love's a crazy game Two…
All Is Fair In Love And War All is fair in love Love's a crazy game Two…
All of You After watching your appeal from ev'ry angle there's a big ro…
All That Jazz I'm in love with you And all that jazz You're my dream…
All This and Heaven Too You give me your lips And your lips are so heavenly Stars…
Alone Together Alone together Beyond the crowd Above the world We're not t…
Along With Me You've always been along with me, Though we were far apart. …
And So to Bed Ding dong, ding dong, Slumber time, The moon descends And so…
Angel Eyes Try to think that love's not around Still it's uncomfortably…
Anything Goes Times have changed, And we've ofter rewound the clock Since …
April in Paris I never knew the charm of spring I never met it…
April Showers Life is not a highway strewn with flowers Still it holds…
Aren't You Glad You're You Do you make the most of your five senses, Or is…
Autumn In New York Autumn in New York, Why does it seem so inviting? Autumn in…
Autumn Leaves The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of…
Autumn Leaves 2 The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of…
Autumn Serenade Through the trees comes autumn with her serenade. Melodies t…
Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little…
Ballerina Dance, ballerina, dance And do your pirouette in rhythm with…
Be a Ladies' Man There he goes, the modern knight The boy's despair, the gir…
Better Use Your Head You better stop and think what you're sayin' You'd better ho…
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Is there anyone around who cannot see? It's the well known…
Bewitched I'm wild again, beguiled again A simpering, whimpering child…
Big City Blues Much of my life has been spiced with romance Too many…
Black Moonlight Lost in the shuffle, I've drifted an' strayed Bruised by the…
Bless You Oh oh oh Bless you for the good that's in you,…
Blue Moon Blue moon You saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Blue Skies I was blue, just as blue as I could be…
Blues in the Night My mama done tol' me, When I was in knee pants, My…
bluesette Poor little, sad little blue Bluesette Don't you cry, don't …
Body And Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Born to Be Blue Some folks were meant to live in clover But they are…
Brahm's Lullaby Say goodnight little one Save some fun for tomorrow Wave a b…
Broadway Lullaby of Birdland, that's what I Always hear when you…
But Beautiful Love is funny or it's sad, Or it's quiet or…
By Myself The party's over, the game is ended, The dreams I…
Bye Bye Blackbird Blackbird, blackbird singing the blues all day Right outsid…
Can't Take That Away From Me Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note, Though by tomorro…
Careless Hands I let my heart fall into careless hands Careless hands broke…
Cement Mixer Cement Mixer! Put-ti, Put-ti Cement Mixer! Put-ti, Put-ti Ce…
Changing My Tune Castles were crumbling and daydreams were tumbling December …
Cheek to Cheek Heaven, I'm in heaven And my heart beats so that I…
Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at…
Christmastime Is Here It's very clear our love is here to stay Not for…
Come Home Baby (Do-do-do) I'm comin' home, baby, now (Do-do-do-do-do-do) I'…
Cottage For Sale Our little dream castle with every dream gone, Is lonely an…
Country Boy I may look like a city slicker, Shinin' up through his…
Cow Cow Boogie Out on the plains down near Santa fe I met a…
Cuban Love Song I love you that's what my heart is saying While every…
Cuckoo in the Clock There they were, there they were, He was baby-talkin' her, …
Dancing In The Dark I get up in the evening And I ain't got…
Day By Day Day by day I'm falling more in love with you And…
Day Dreaming Daydreaming, just daydreaming Well, it's kind of fun for one…
Day In Day in, day out The same old voodoo follows me about The…
Day In, Day Out Day in, day out The same old hoodoo follows me about The…
Day In-Day Out Day in, day out The same old voodoo follows me about The…
Day You Came Along My heart went leaping The day you came along Forgot my wee…
Do Do Do Do do do what you've done done done before, baby Do…
Do It Again You really shouldn't have done it You hadn't any right I rea…
Don' Cha Go 'Way Mad I must confess what you say is true I had a…
Don't Dream Of Anybody But Me Though you vacation in Hawaii Or go to Switzerland to ski, …
Don't Get Around Much Any More / I Let a Song Go Out Of My Heart Missed the Saturday dance Heard they crowded the floor Could…
Don't Leave Me When I said I needed you You said you would always…
Don't Let That Moon Get Away It's one of those nights for adventure We ought to be…
Don't Let The Moon Get Away It's one of those nights for adventure We ought to be…
Don't Take Your Love from Me Tear a star from out the sky and the sky…
Don't Worry 'Bout Me Don't worry 'bout me I'll get along Forget about me Just …
Don't Worry About Me Don't worry 'bout me I'll get along Forget about me Just be …
Dorn to Be Blue Some folks were meant to live in clover But they are…
Dream A Little Dream Of Me Stars shining bright above you Night breezes seem to whisper…
Early Autumn When an early autumn walks the land and chills the…
Easy to Remember Your sweet expression the smile you gave me The way you…
Ev'ry Day's A Holiday Met him on Sunday Loved him by Tuesday afternoon Woke up o…
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye Every time we say goodbye, I die a little, Every time…
Every Day's a Holiday Met him on Sunday Loved him by Tuesday afternoon Woke up o…
Everyday's A Holiday Met him on Sunday Loved him by Tuesday afternoon Woke up on…
Everything Happens to Me Black cats creep across my path Until I'm almost mad I must…
Face the Music and Dance There may be trouble ahead But while there's music and moonl…
Fascinating Rhythm Fascinating rhythm You've got me on the go! Fascinating rhy…
Fine and Dandy Please forgive this platitude But I like your attitude You a…
Folks Who Live On The Hill Many men with lofty aims strive for lofty goals. Others play…
For You for Me for Evermore Paradise can not refuse us Never such a happy pair Everybod…
Forty Second Street Come and meet those dancing feet On the avenue I'm taking…
Frenesi Kiss me Kiss me the way my mouth kissed you Give me…
From This Moment On From this moment on You for me, dear Only two for tea,…
Games People Play La di da da da dd La di da di di La…
Get Happy Pack up your troubles and just get happy Ya better…
Get Happy (Live - Crescendo Club) Pack up your troubles and just get happy Ya better chase…
Get Out of Town The farce was ended, The curtains drawn, And I at least pret…
Get Your Kicks On Route 66 F you ever plan to motor west, Travel my way,…
Ghost of a Chance I need your love so badly, I love you, oh,…
Girl Talk The sleepless nights, the daily fights The quick toboggan w…
Give Me The Simple Life I don't believe in frettin' and grievin', Why mess around wi…
Gloomy Sunday Sunday is gloomy, My hours are slumberless Dearest the shado…
Glow Worm Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer Shine little glow-w…
Gone With the Wind Gone with the wind, Just like a leaf that has blown…
Goodbye Every time we say goodbye, I die a little, Every time…
Goody Goody So you met someone who set you back on your…
Greensleeves Alas, my love, you do me wrong, To cast me off…
Guilty Though you've decided that our love is wrong And think that…
Hang On To Me Trouble may hound us, shadows surround us Never mind, my Dea…
Happy Together Imagine me and you, I do, I think about you…
Harlem Nocturne A nocturne for the blues Played on a broken heart…
Have You Met Miss Jones It happened I felt it happened I was awake I wasn't blind I …
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Have yourself a merry little Christmas Let your heart be lig…
Heart and Soul Heart and soul, I fell in love with you Heart and…
Hello Young Lovers When I think of Tom I think about a night When the…
Here's To My Lady Here's to my lady, here's a toast to my lady, And…
Hey Look Me Over Hey look me over, lend me an ear Fresh out of…
Hi-Fly So won't you fly with me I wanna make you feel…
Hit the Road to Dreamland Bye bye baby Time to hit the road to dreamland You're my…
Homeward Bound I'm sitting in the railway station. Got a ticket to…
Honeysuckle Rose Every honey bee fills with jealousy, When they see you out…
Hooray for Love It's the wonder of the world, It's a rocket to the…
House Is Not a Home A chair is still a chair Even when there's no one…
How Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there's…
How Are Things in Glocca Morra I hear a bird, Londonderry bird, It well may be he's…
How Did She Look? So you run into my former fiancee you saw her dancing…
How High The Moon Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there's…
How Long Has This Been Going On As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties, I…
I Believe Wishes and hopes are the tiny silk ropes to which…
I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
I Can't Get Started I've flown around the world in a plane I've settled…
I Can't Give Anything But Love I can't give you anything but love, baby Gee, but it's…
I Concentrate On You Whenever skies look gray to me And trouble begins to brew, W…
I Could Have Told You I could have told you she would hurt you, She'd love…
and many more tracks by Mel Tormé.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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