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.
Sweet Georgia Brown
Mel Tormé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things are hot here now they say,
There's a new gal in town.
Gals are jealous, there's no doubt.
All the guys just rave about
Sweet, Sweet Georgia Brown.
And ever since she came, the common folks all claim, say
Two left feet, but oh, so neat has Sweet Georgia Brown.
They all sigh and wanna die for Sweet Georgia Brown,
I'll tell you just why, you know I don't lie (not much!).
It's been said she knocks 'em dead when she lands in town.
Since she came why it's a shame how she's cooled 'em down.
Fellas that she can't get must be fellas that she ain't met.
Georgia claimed her, Georgia named her, Sweet Georgia Brown.
All you gals will get the blues,
All you pals will surely lose.
And, there's but one excuse.
Now I've told you who she was,
And I've told you what she does,
Still, give this gal her dues.
This pretty maiden's prayer is answered anywhere
No gal made has got a shade on Sweet Georgia Brown.
Two left feet, but oh, so neat has Sweet Georgia Brown.
They all sigh and wanna die for Sweet Georgia Brown,
I'll tell you just why, you know I don't lie (not much!).
All those tips the porter slips to Sweet Georgia Brown
They buy clothes at fashion shows for one dollar down.
Fellas, won'tcha tip your hats. Oh boy, ain't she the cats?
Who's that mister, ain't her sister, It's Sweet Georgia Brown.
The lyrics to Mel Tormé's song "Sweet Georgia Brown" introduce the arrival of a new woman to town. According to the lyrics, this woman is causing quite a stir amongst the locals, particularly the male population. The lyrics suggest that she is beautiful and charming by describing her as having "two left feet, but oh, so neat." The men in town are said to be raving about her, and even the other women are jealous of her attention. The chorus repeats the sentiment that "No gal made has got a shade on Sweet Georgia Brown" and that everyone is sighing and wanting to die for her. The lyrics also suggest that this woman is savvy and stylish, as she is described as attending fashion shows and getting tips from the porter.
Overall, the song seems to celebrate the arrival of this new woman and the impact she has on those around her. The lyrics focus more on her beauty and charm than on any personal qualities or accomplishments she might have. The song comes across as a lighthearted and fun tribute to the power of attraction.
Line by Line Meaning
She just got here yesterday,
Sweet Georgia Brown is a new arrival to the town, having arrived the previous day.
Things are hot here now they say,
The arrival of Sweet Georgia Brown has caused quite a stir in the town, and everyone is talking about her.
There's a new gal in town.
The song is about the recent arrival of Sweet Georgia Brown, a new woman in the town.
Gals are jealous, there's no doubt.
Other women in the town are envious of Sweet Georgia Brown's arrival, and the attention she is receiving from men.
All the guys just rave about Sweet, Sweet Georgia Brown.
The men in the town cannot stop talking about Sweet Georgia Brown and how attractive they find her.
And ever since she came, the common folks all claim, say
Since her arrival, everyone in the town has been talking about Sweet Georgia Brown.
No gal made has got a shade on Sweet Georgia Brown.
Sweet Georgia Brown is considered the most attractive woman in the town, and no other woman can compare to her beauty and charm.
Two left feet, but oh, so neat has Sweet Georgia Brown.
Despite Sweet Georgia Brown's lack of dancing skills, she has a natural grace and beauty that make her irresistible to men.
They all sigh and wanna die for Sweet Georgia Brown,
All men in the town are smitten with Sweet Georgia Brown and are willing to do anything to win her affection.
I'll tell you just why, you know I don't lie (not much!).
The singer is confident that what he is about to say is true, although he hints that he may exaggerate a little.
It's been said she knocks 'em dead when she lands in town.
Sweet Georgia Brown's beauty and charisma have a powerful effect on men, and she leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.
Since she came why it's a shame how she's cooled 'em down.
Sweet Georgia Brown's arrival has had a calming effect on the men in the town, who are now more interested in pursuing her than in causing trouble.
Fellas that she can't get must be fellas that she ain't met.
The only reason Sweet Georgia Brown has not captured the hearts of every man in town is that there are still some men she has not yet met.
Georgia claimed her, Georgia named her, Sweet Georgia Brown.
Sweet Georgia Brown is so closely associated with the town of Georgia that people assume she was born there and named after the state.
All you gals will get the blues,
Other women in the town will become unhappy and despondent because they cannot compete with Sweet Georgia Brown for the attention of men.
All you pals will surely lose.
The friends of men who are in love with Sweet Georgia Brown will inevitably lose out to her when it comes to their attention and affections.
And, there's but one excuse.
There is only one possible explanation for the attraction that men feel towards Sweet Georgia Brown.
Now I've told you who she was,
The singer has introduced Sweet Georgia Brown and given some background information about her.
And I've told you what she does,
The singer has explained what makes Sweet Georgia Brown so appealing to men.
Still, give this gal her dues.
Sweet Georgia Brown deserves credit and respect for her beauty and charm.
This pretty maiden's prayer is answered anywhere
Sweet Georgia Brown is so beautiful and charming that she is blessed wherever she goes.
All those tips the porter slips to Sweet Georgia Brown
The men in town are so taken with Sweet Georgia Brown that they give her extra money and gifts, even for small tasks like carrying their luggage.
They buy clothes at fashion shows for one dollar down.
The men in town are so enamored with Sweet Georgia Brown that they are willing to buy her expensive gifts and outfits, even if they cannot afford them.
Fellas, won'tcha tip your hats. Oh boy, ain't she the cats?
The singer encourages men to show respect and admiration for Sweet Georgia Brown, who he thinks is the most attractive woman in the town.
Who's that mister, ain't her sister, It's Sweet Georgia Brown.
The men in town are so focused on Sweet Georgia Brown that they mistake other women for her, hoping to catch a glimpse of her or gain her attention.
Lyrics © BRASSWORKS MUSIC
Written by: MAX LODERBAUER, PAULA SCHOPF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind