Call Me Irresponsible
| "Call Me Irresponsible" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Call Me Irresponsible" is a 1962 song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics written by Sammy Cahn which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1963.
According to the Mel Tormé book The Other Side of the Rainbow with Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol, Van Heusen originally wrote the song for Garland to sing at a CBS dinner. At that time, Garland had just signed to do The Judy Garland Show on CBS, and the intent of the song was to parody her well-known problems. Garland later sang the song on the seventh episode of the show.[1]
However, in 1988, Sammy Cahn said during an interview with freelance writer Harlan Conti, in San Francisco, that the song was originally written for Fred Astaire to sing in the film Papa's Delicate Condition in which Astaire was to star. Cahn personally auditioned the song for Astaire's approval, which was given. However, Astaire's contractual obligations prevented him from making the film and the role went to Jackie Gleason, who introduced the song.[2] It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 36th Academy Awards held in 1964.
Cahn is said to have had a particular satisfaction in the number of five-syllable words in the lyrics of "Call Me Irresponsible".[3]
Renditions
- Andy Williams released a version of the song on his 1964 album The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies.
- Bobby Darin – for his album From Hello Dolly to Goodbye Charlie (1964)
- Brenda Lee – included in the album Too Many Rivers (1965).[4]
- Brook Benton – for his album That Old Feeling (1966).[5]
- Dinah Washington – included in the compilation album It's Magic: Capitol Sings Sammy Cahn (1995).[6]
- Eddie Fisher – Eddie Fisher Today! (1965).[7]
- Frank Sinatra's recording, from his 1963 album Sinatra's Sinatra, is perhaps the most celebrated version.
- Gloria Estefan released her cover of the song on some editions of her 2013 album The Standards.[8]
- Harry James released a version in 1981 on his album For Listening and Dancing with a vocal by Helen Forrest.[9] (Reader's Digest RD4A 213).
- Jack Jones's 1963 single (Kapp 0062) was a radio hit[10] and was also included in the album Call Me irresponsible (1963).[11]
- Johnny Mathis – Tender Is the Night (1964)
- Julie London – The End of the World (1963)
- Michael Bublé – for his album Call Me Irresponsible (2007).
- Nancy Wilson – Today, Tomorrow, Forever (1964)
- Patti Page – Say Wonderful Things (1963)
- Robert Goulet – for his album I Remember You (1966).[12]
- Rosemary Clooney – Rosemary Clooney Sings the Music of Jimmy Van Heusen (1986)
- Sarah Vaughan – Star Eyes (1963)
- Tony Bennett – Perfectly Frank (1992)
- Vic Damone – for his album Make Someone Happy (1981).[13]
- Billy Eckstine-Gloria Lynne in concert with Gil Askey orchestra, Hollywood 1983
1960s radio advertisements for the Sands Hotel used the song, with revised lyrics touting the hotel's reservation agent ("Call her / She's responsible" etc.)
References
- ^ Judy Garland TV Songs
- ^ "Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Celebrating The Centennial Of Lyricist Sammy Cahn", NPR Music, December 13, 2013.
- ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Gloria Estefan – The Standards – Only at Target".
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "45cat.com". 45cat.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.