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{{Infobox single |
{{Infobox song
| Name = I Cover the Waterfront
| name = I Cover the Waterfront
| Cover = Sarahvaughanicoverthewaterfront.jpg
| cover = Sarahvaughanicoverthewaterfront.jpg
| Artist = [[Sarah Vaughan]]
| alt =
| from Album =
| type = single
| A-side =
| artist = [[Sarah Vaughan]]
| B-side =
| album =
| Released =
| released =
| Format =
| format =
| Recorded =
| recorded =
| Genre = [[Jazz blues]]
| studio =
| Length =
| venue =
| Label =
| genre = [[Jazz blues]]
| Writer = [[Edward Heyman]]
| length =
| Producer = Johnny Green
| label =
| writer = [[Edward Heyman]]
| Misc = {{Extra chronology
| producer = Johnny Green
| Artist = [[Sarah Vaughan]]
| prev_title =
| Type = singles
| prev_year =
| Last single = "[[If You Could See Me Now (1946 song)|If You Could See Me Now]]" <br> (1946)
| next_title =
| This single = "'''I Cover the Waterfont'''"<br>(1947)
| next_year =
| Next single = "[[Tenderly]]" <br> (1947)}}
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Sarah Vaughan]]
| type = singles
| prev_title = [[If You Could See Me Now (1946 song)|If You Could See Me Now]]
| prev_year = 1946
| title = I Cover the Waterfront
| year = 1947
| next_title = [[Tenderly]]
| next_year = 1947
}}
{{Extra chronology
{{Extra chronology
| Artist = [[Billie Holiday]]
| artist = [[Billie Holiday]]
| Type = single
| type = single
| prev_title = [[God Bless the Child (Billie Holiday song)|God Bless the Child]]
| Chronology =
| prev_year = 1942
| Last single = "[[God Bless the Child (Billie Holiday song)|God Bless the Child]]" <br> (1942)
| This single = "'''I Cover the Waterfront'''" <br> (1946)
| title = I Cover the Waterfront
| year = 1946
| Next single = "[[Lady Sings the Blues (song)|Lady Sings the Blues]]" <br> (1956)}}
| next_title = [[Lady Sings the Blues (song)|Lady Sings the Blues]]
| next_year = 1956
}}
}}
}}


"'''I Cover the Waterfront'''" is a 1933 [[popular song]] and [[jazz standard]] composed by [[Johnny Green]] with lyrics by [[Edward Heyman]]. The song was inspired by Max Miller's 1932 best-selling novel ''I Cover the Waterfront''.
"'''I Cover the Waterfront'''" is a 1933 [[popular song]] and [[jazz standard]] composed by [[Johnny Green]] with lyrics by [[Edward Heyman]].<ref name="Sarah"/> The song was inspired by Max Miller's 1932 best-selling novel, ''I Cover the Waterfront''.<ref name="Press">{{Cite web|url=https://songbook1.wordpress.com/fx/1933-hits-and-standards/i-cover-the-waterfront/|title=I Cover the Waterfront|website=Songbook1.wordpress.com|date=March 28, 2010|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref>


==Recordings and interpretations==
==Covers==
*[[Lucky Thompson]] - ''[[The Complete Vogue Recordings Vol. 1]]'' (1956)
The song became instantly popular, and many artists have covered it since 1933: [[Billie Holiday]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Sarah Vaughan]], [[Annette Hanshaw]], [[Abe Lyman]]'s California Ambassador Hotel Orchestra, [[Connee Boswell]], [[Harry James]], [[Lester Young|The Lester Young Trio]] (with [[Nat King Cole]] and [[Buddy Rich]]), and [[Louis Armstrong]], among others.<ref name="jazz-standards">[http://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions-0/icoverthewaterfront.htm "I Cover the Waterfront"] at ''jazzstandards.com'' - retrieved 24 May 2009.</ref> A 1933 motion picture, also inspired by Miller's book and also titled ''[[I Cover the Waterfront]]'', was re-scored at the last minute to include the tune. [[Sheet music]] publishers later used the film's success by claiming that the song was "[i]nspired by the United Artist Picture of the same name".<ref name="jazz-standards"/>
The song became popular, and many artists have recorded it since 1933.<ref name="jazz-standards">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions-0/icoverthewaterfront.htm|title=Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (I Cover the Waterfront)|website=Jazzstandards.com|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref> Notable artists include:
Years later, [[Ella Fitzgerald]] recorded this song in her 1979 live album ''[[Digital III at Montreux]]'' on [[Pablo Records]].
*[[Billie Holiday]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/cdalbum/cd/3145138592|title=CD Album: Billie Holiday - The Complete Billie Holiday On Verve - 1945-1959 (1992)|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=45worlds.com}}</ref>
*[[Frank Sinatra]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/w20034h|title=Vinyl Album: Frank Sinatra - Sinatra's Greatest (1962)|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=45worlds.com}}</ref>
*[[Sarah Vaughan]]<ref name="Sarah">{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/30732|title=78 Record: Sarah Vaughan - Once In A While (1953)|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=45worlds.com}}</ref>
*[[Annette Hanshaw]]<ref name="Press"/>
*[[Abe Lyman]]'s California Ambassador Hotel Orchestra<ref name="Press"/>
*[[Connee Boswell]]<ref name="Press"/>
*[[Harry James]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/america-swings-the-great-harry-james-mw0000080946|title=America Swings: The Great Harry James - Harry James &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
*[[Lester Young|The Lester Young Trio]] with [[Nat King Cole]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/aj501|title=Vinyl Album: Lester Young - Archives Of Jazz - Vol. 1 (1972)|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=45worlds.com}}</ref>
*[[Ray Conniff]] recorded the song in 1958, and was included on his "Awful Nice" LP.<ref>{{cite web|title=www.rayconniff.info|url=https://www.rayconniff.info/discography/recordings/i-cover-waterfront|website=www.rayconniff.info|accessdate=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Buddy Rich]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/cdalbum/cd/or0080|title=CD Album: Buddy Rich - Rags To Riches (1989)|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=45worlds.com}}</ref>
*[[Louis Armstrong]]<ref name="Press"/>
*Years later, [[Ella Fitzgerald]] recorded this song in her 1979 live album ''[[Digital III at Montreux]]'' on [[Pablo Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/digital-3-at-montreux-mw0000099913|title=Digital 3 at Montreux - Ella Fitzgerald &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |access-date=May 31, 2021|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
*[[Annie Lennox]] gave her interpretation of the song on her 2014 studio album ''[[Nostalgia (Annie Lennox album)|Nostalgia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/nostalgia-mw0002738886|title=Nostalgia - Annie Lennox &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |access-date=May 31, 2021|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
*[[John Lee Hooker]] recorded several versions of the song. One appears on the 1991 compilation ''[[The Ultimate Collection (John Lee Hooker album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-ultimate-collection-1948-1990-mw0000268955|title=The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990) - John Lee Hooker &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |access-date=May 31, 2021|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> and another with [[Van Morrison]] on Hooker's 1991 album ''[[Mr. Lucky (John Lee Hooker album)|Mr. Lucky]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mr-lucky-mw0000268507|title=Mr. Lucky - John Lee Hooker &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |access-date=May 31, 2021|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Hooker's versions make such changes from the original melody and lyrics that his label credits him as the songwriter.<ref name="Press"/>
*In 2017, the musicians [[Chris Thile]] and [[Brad Mehldau]] collaborated on an album recording of the track.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/chris-thile-brad-mehldau-mw0003003468|title=Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau - Chris Thile, Brad Mehldau &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |access-date=May 31, 2021|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>


==Film role==
[[John Lee Hooker]] recorded several covers of the song. One appears on the 1991 compilation ''[[The Ultimate Collection (John Lee Hooker album)|The Ultimate Collection]]'' and another with [[Van Morrison]] on Hooker's 1991 album ''[[Mr. Lucky (John Lee Hooker album)|Mr. Lucky]]''. Hooker's versions make such great changes from the original melody and lyrics that his own label credits him as the songwriter.
A 1933 motion picture, also inspired by Miller's book and also titled ''[[I Cover the Waterfront]]'', was re-scored at the last minute to include the tune. [[Sheet music]] publishers later used the film's success by claiming that the song was "[i]nspired by the United Artist Picture of the same name".<ref name="jazz-standards"/>

R&B/soul singer/actress [[Miki Howard]] portraying Billie Holiday performs the song in the 1992 bio film ''[[Malcolm X (1992 film)|Malcolm X]]''.

[[Annie Lennox]] covered the song on her 2014 studio album ''[[Nostalgia (Annie Lennox album)|Nostalgia]]''.


==Radio program theme==
==Radio program theme==
''I Cover the Waterfront'' was the theme for the ''[[Johnny Modero, Pier 23]]'' radio program, which starred [[Jack Webb]] and was broadcast on the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]] in 1947.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972|date=2003|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc.|location=Jefferson, NC|isbn=978-0-7864-4925-5|page=123|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-rveCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA123&lpg=PA123&dq=%22Johnny+Madero%22&source=bl&ots=qrmyLA09hr&sig=fQG_6g8-p9EgpsFbzJB7u0-mZD8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CUqYVdXCIdH9yQSEvqaABA&ved=0CKMBEOgBMBo#v=onepage&q=%22Johnny%20Madero%22&f=false}}</ref>
*''I Cover the Waterfront'' was the theme for the ''[[Johnny Modero, Pier 23]]'' radio program, which starred [[Jack Webb]] and was broadcast on the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]] in 1947.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972|date=2003|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc.|location=Jefferson, NC|isbn=978-0-7864-4925-5|page=123|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-rveCQAAQBAJ&q=%22Johnny+Madero%22&pg=PA123}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Popular culture==
*R&B/soul singer/actress [[Miki Howard]], portraying Billie Holiday, performed the song in the 1992 bio film ''[[Malcolm X (1992 film)|Malcolm X]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104797/fullcredits|title=Malcolm X (1992) - IMDb|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
{{reflist}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of 1930s jazz standards]]
*[[List of 1930s jazz standards]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{Billie Holiday}}
{{Billie Holiday}}
{{John Lee Hooker}}
{{John Lee Hooker}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:1933 songs]]
[[Category:1933 songs]]
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[[Category:Songs with music by Johnny Green]]
[[Category:Songs with music by Johnny Green]]
[[Category:Songs with lyrics by Edward Heyman]]
[[Category:Songs with lyrics by Edward Heyman]]
[[Category:Billie Holiday songs]]
[[Category:John Lee Hooker songs]]
[[Category:John Lee Hooker songs]]
[[Category:Jazz compositions in G major]]
[[Category:Jazz compositions in G major]]

Latest revision as of 06:15, 17 December 2023

"I Cover the Waterfront"
Single by Sarah Vaughan
GenreJazz blues
Songwriter(s)Edward Heyman
Producer(s)Johnny Green
Sarah Vaughan singles chronology
"If You Could See Me Now"
(1946)
"I Cover the Waterfront"
(1947)
"Tenderly"
(1947)
Billie Holiday singles chronology
"God Bless the Child"
(1942)
"I Cover the Waterfront"
(1946)
"Lady Sings the Blues"
(1956)

"I Cover the Waterfront" is a 1933 popular song and jazz standard composed by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman.[1] The song was inspired by Max Miller's 1932 best-selling novel, I Cover the Waterfront.[2]

Recordings and interpretations

[edit]

The song became popular, and many artists have recorded it since 1933.[3] Notable artists include:

Film role

[edit]

A 1933 motion picture, also inspired by Miller's book and also titled I Cover the Waterfront, was re-scored at the last minute to include the tune. Sheet music publishers later used the film's success by claiming that the song was "[i]nspired by the United Artist Picture of the same name".[3]

Radio program theme

[edit]
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "78 Record: Sarah Vaughan - Once In A While (1953)". 45worlds.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "I Cover the Waterfront". Songbook1.wordpress.com. March 28, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (I Cover the Waterfront)". Jazzstandards.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "CD Album: Billie Holiday - The Complete Billie Holiday On Verve - 1945-1959 (1992)". 45worlds.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "Vinyl Album: Frank Sinatra - Sinatra's Greatest (1962)". 45worlds.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "America Swings: The Great Harry James - Harry James | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  7. ^ "Vinyl Album: Lester Young - Archives Of Jazz - Vol. 1 (1972)". 45worlds.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  8. ^ "www.rayconniff.info". www.rayconniff.info. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  9. ^ "CD Album: Buddy Rich - Rags To Riches (1989)". 45worlds.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  10. ^ "Digital 3 at Montreux - Ella Fitzgerald | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  11. ^ "Nostalgia - Annie Lennox | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  12. ^ "The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990) - John Lee Hooker | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  13. ^ "Mr. Lucky - John Lee Hooker | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  14. ^ "Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau - Chris Thile, Brad Mehldau | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  15. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2003). Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 123. ISBN 978-0-7864-4925-5.
  16. ^ "Malcolm X (1992) - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.