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.
The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Mel Tormé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Others play at smaller games, being simpler souls.
I am of the latter brand. All I want to do
Is to find a spot of land and live there with you.
Someday we'll build a home
On a hilltop high, you and I,
Shiny and new, a cottage that two can fill.
"The folks who live on the hill."
Someday we may be adding
A thing or two, a wing or two.
We will make changes as any family will.
But we will always be called
"The folks who live on the hill."
Our veranda will command a view of meadows green,
The sort of view that seems to want to be seen.
And when the kids grow up and leave us,
We'll sit and look at the same old view, just we two.
Darby and Joan who, used to be Jack and Jill,
The folks like to be called
What they have always been called,
"The folks who live on the hill."
The lyrics of Mel Tormé's song Folks Who Live On The Hill talks about a simple life, living in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The singer presents himself as a "simpler soul" who doesn't aspire to grandeur or fame, but instead desires to live peacefully with his loved one. He foresees a tranquil future for them, building a house on a high hill with a view of green meadows from their veranda. Their home will be modest, with only a few rooms, but it will be a warm and inviting cottage that the two will share.
The lyrics convey a strong sense of contentment, as the couple doesn't seek luxury or big changes in their life - they are happy to just live their lives simply in their little cottage. The song emphasizes that as long as they have each other and their home, they don't need anything else. Even when their children grow up and move away, they will remain content with the same old view from their veranda, enjoying each other's company in their old age.
Overall, the lyrics of this song are sweet and simple, portraying a happy, contented life. It tells us that happiness doesn't come from materialistic things but from the warmth and love of our loved ones and the little things in life that make us happy.
Line by Line Meaning
Many men with lofty aims strive for lofty goals.
There are many individuals with ambitious aspirations who desire remarkable achievements.
Others play at smaller games, being simpler souls.
Conversely, some people engage in less significant endeavors due to their uncomplicated nature.
I am of the latter brand. All I want to do
Is to find a spot of land and live there with you.
Personally, I fall into the latter group as I only yearn to discover a plot of earth where I can spend my life with you.
Someday we'll build a home
On a hilltop high, you and I,
Shiny and new, a cottage that two can fill.
One day, we will construct a dwelling atop a lofty elevation, you and I, that is flawless and new - a small abode for two to occupy.
And we'll be pleased to be called
"The folks who live on the hill."
It will give us great delight to be identified as "the residents who inhabit the hill."
Someday we may be adding
A thing or two, a wing or two.
We will make changes as any family will.
It is feasible that we may eventually expand by constructing additional structures, just like any household.
But we will always be called
"The folks who live on the hill."
Despite these changes, we will remain recognized as "the inhabitants of the hill."
Our veranda will command a view of meadows green,
The sort of view that seems to want to be seen.
Our veranda will provide an extensive vista of verdant meadows, a sight that beckons to be observed.
And when the kids grow up and leave us,
We'll sit and look at the same old view, just we two.
When our children mature and depart, we will sit and relish the same classic panorama, just the two of us.
Darby and Joan who, used to be Jack and Jill,
The folks like to be called
What they have always been called,
"The folks who live on the hill."
Similar to the archetypal elderly couple Darby and Joan (previously known as Jack and Jill), we prefer being recognized by our traditional title, "the residents who inhabit the hill."
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar II Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind