This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra

1956

Buy At Rough Trade
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Album Summary

Songs for Swingin' Lovers! is the tenth album by American singer Frank Sinatra and his fourth for Capitol Records. It was arranged by Nelson Riddle and released in March 1956 on LP and January 1987 on CD. It was the first album ever to top the UK Albums Chart.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.53

Votes

11805
Genres
Jazz

Reviews

Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!
Sort by: Top Date
View Author
Mon Jan 18 2021
4

Every song on this album sounded the same, it barely registered to me where one song ended and the next began. Good news is, all of these "different" songs were pretty pleasant, and I honestly can't say anything bad about it. Whatever I was doing while I was listening to this album was just a little but more enjoyable for it.

👍
View Author
Mon Aug 23 2021
5

Man, this album is just classic. I miss the days when 3-minute songs were the norm. Hit 'em hard and leave 'em wanting more seems to be the Sinatra formula and damn if it doesn't work. Just super enjoyable.

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 21 2021
5

When I was a teenager I used to dismiss Frank's music as the stuff old people listen to and never really gave it a listen. Boy was I wrong. This stuff is timeless and I could listen to it all day. I love Frank's voice, the arrangements are amazing and both create a great vibe that just stays with you long after the album is over. I was listening to this on the way to work a few days ago and found myself humming the tunes throughout the whole day.

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 21 2021
5

There's something to be said for an album that just seems to be done so care-free, so effortlessly. I know the band and everyone worked hard on this record, but it doesn't sound that way. And that, right there, is true professionalism. Making something challenging look easy. I don't know if I would have appreciated this album as much if I hadn't played an instrument. But wow, this stuff is great. And it's 65 years old, and it doesn't sound it. Great stuff.

👍
View Author
Mon Nov 22 2021
5

A lot of these songs don't originate with Sinatra, so why is this album a must listen? Nelson Riddle. He's one of, if not the best oranger in the American Popular Songbook. Entire papers and documentaries have been created on what he did with I've Got You Under My Skin - one of my favorite Sinatra songs for the very reason Nelson Riddle is amazing. The trombone transition at the end of the song merits this album the full five stars it deserves, the same material in the hands of any other combo of arranger/singer would yield more Michael Bublé oatmeal.

👍
View Author
Tue Jul 26 2022
5

Sinatra never sounded better than on this glorious collection of love songs, featuring music beautifully arranged by the peerless Nelson Riddle. It stands as an example of that shining optimism in American popular culture during the 1950s, a confidence and swagger which came from ruling the world in the post war years. Here was Sinatra, coming from rags to riches, handsome as they come, Oscar winning actor and incredible singer, the finest interpreter of popular music and American standards the century ever saw (although maybe Ella would have something to say about that). The future surely never sounded as bright with this album in the background. Here was lyrical romance for the average Joe and Jane, songs comparing love to regular coffee and tea - not high falutin' poetry of mountains and valleys and skies - everyday life, your life and my life, but sounding so sweet in Sinatra's smooth swing voice. The story of the album's finest moment - I've Got You Under My Skin - shows what great art comes from adversity. Sinatra was due to fly to Palm Springs but the music label head, excited by the pre-orders for the album granted the album an extended length, which meant recording three more songs in a hurry before Sinatra disappeared. Calling up Riddle late at night, Sinatra suggested three tunes to try and so Riddle, still feeling an eagerness to please Frank, despite a collaboration of a few years' standing, ferociously works through the night to come up with arrangements for the recording session the next day. Still scribbling in the cab on the way to the studio the next morning on virtually no sleep, Riddle delivers the manuscript to the orchestra who work through the first and second before arriving at I've Got You Under My Skin. Legend has it the band upon playing it through, applauded Riddle for the arrangement (no mean feat impressing cynical, world weary musicians such as these). Sinatra was so keen to get it right that take after take was recorded. The trombone player, Milt Bernhart, whose incredible solo plays during the middle eighth, following the almighty crescendo from the horn section, knowing Sinatra rarely goes beyond four or five takes, saved all his good stuff for the first few recordings. Knowing something special is here, though, and Frank keeps pushing to go again. Exhausted around take ten Bernhart is seething when the booth tell him they can't pick him up on mic clearly enough - could he get closer? Not able to grow in height and saying so, who should be so determined to get it right but there is Sinatra, rolling up his sleeves, fetching a box for Bernhart to stand on. Ahead of take 22, Bernhart is sweating, unsure if he's got another in him. But push on he does and there, there goes the take, the pure magic, with Sinatra batting back everything thrown at him in that final, verse of unalloyed joy. Magic happened that day and we get to enjoy it still to this day. Songs for Swingin' Lovers. One of the greatest achievements of the 20th century.

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 31 2021
4

It's a great album through and through, for Frank Sinatra's sound. I just have to admit that I really only like him in smaller doses than this. half an album's worth is fun, an entire album of these crooners blends together for me.

👍
View Author
Fri May 21 2021
2

It’s Sinatra. No pressure pop/jazz. Non offensive. Fine but not interesting

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 27 2023
2

Start spreadin’ the news… …this record is lame.

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 31 2021
4

I mean, something about Frank is really comforting in a weird way? Like warm and fuzzy even when he’s singing about weird stuff like Makin Whoopee. Like Aretha, I find it interesting that it was so common to just re-record the same songs onto albums. I don’t necessarily see it as a negative, just a product of the time. It does look like some lyrics were changed though. My lizard brain wants to rate this a 5, but I think I’ll actually go with a 4.

👍
View Author
Sat Oct 30 2021
4

The album's title predated the term "swinging" in the sense of partner-swapping sex by 8 years, inadvertently creating a pun on top of the original pun (whereby swinging could refer to either the genre of swing as well as the original innocent meaning of swinging; i.e., to have a good time).

👍
View Author
Sat May 08 2021
3

it’s good. i just don’t really like it. 2.5

👍
View Author
Fri Oct 22 2021
3

How can you not like some Frank Sinatra. Easy to listen to and sort of comforting. Only complaint is it seemed like one 45 minute song. 3

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 05 2021
2

Peak Sinatra. Nice enough spoken word pop/jazz. Not offensive in any way and nice background music with no discernible differences between the songs. Its fine but its not mind blowing or life changing. In fact its pretty dull. 2/5

👍
View Author
Tue Dec 06 2022
2

I'm not a swingin' lover. I'm an underachieving college student.

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 29 2021
5

A classic. Love Frank Sinatra.

👍
View Author
Thu Feb 04 2021
5

Probably my favorite album that's been on the list so far. I love Frank Sinatra, and it really kept me together during a long day.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
5

Peak Sinatra and as smooth as silk from start to finish. It's easy to see how this music and Frank himself became something of a lifestyle brand for a few decades--idealized romance and class.

👍
View Author
Mon Oct 04 2021
5

Excellent album. It came out when my Dad was still young. It makes me think of my grandparents hanging out with some friends and playing some Sinatra on their record player. Happy Vibes.

👍
View Author
Wed Nov 10 2021
5

Iconic voice! A beautiful set of songs. Nice easy listening. Big band to soft flute. Simple lovey songs that are great on a fall afternoon with a cup of tea.

👍
View Author
Fri Sep 23 2022
5

I really dig this record. Frank Sinatra at the height of his powers, with some really great arrangements from Nelson Riddle. Classic uptempo numbers from the great American songbook, sung with such confidence. This is such a great, breezy listen of classic songs sung by one the greatest interpreters over one of the great bands. These are the reference versions of these standards. I initially wanted to give this four stars, but I think I just talked myself into five stars. And, truth be told, if I put on a Sinatra album, it is always this or In the Wee Small Hours (if I want ballads). "How About You?" is playing as I write this review, and it genuinely provokes a smile. Can't ask for better than that.

👍
View Author
Sat Mar 06 2021
4

El balance entre lo grave y lo agudo, la cantidad perfecta de volumen y la aparente falta de esfuerzo para cantar no me dejan más que disfrutar siempre la voz de Sinatra. Gran instrumentación y supongo que buenas letras (porque, como de costumbre, no le puse atención a las letras), el único problema para mí sería la falta de variedad en el disco que, por más que la voz es deleitable, termina por aburrirme.

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 31 2021
4

Surprised by how many of these songs I recognized. Shows how important this album is culturally. Enjoyed it more than I thought, would be nice to have on in the background when trying to feel fancy. Also enjoyed the different turns of phrase that existed 70 years ago

👍
View Author
Sat Jan 23 2021
4

Un disco fresquito, ideal para escuchar mientras cortas el pasto o preparás una comida rica.

👍
View Author
Mon Apr 05 2021
4

Ver Nice!-In my best Borat voice

👍
View Author
Wed Dec 08 2021
4

Majestic! I know it is dumb to admit it, but subconsciously Sinatra’s music takes me to a peaceful place. It makes me feel protected and optimistic. It’s like being a child… being a child watching the Looney Tunes in a Saturday morning. I think it’s maybe because reminds me of my dad…

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 27 2022
4

I haven't been writing that many reviews, because I'm pretty crap at it. But doing it might lend more meaning to this whole project. I have already listened to over 700 albums so might be weird starting with reviews now, but better late than ever. Apparently this album comes directly after the legendary album In the Wee Small Hours. And seen as a companion to its bluer, mellower predecessor, Songs for Swingin' Lovers! is also a cohesive (for it's time) listening experience, albeit more... um... swingin'. From the first trumpet fanfares and the Sinatra's first crooning lines of "you make me feel so young, you make me feel so Spring has sprung" to the fading lines of "I like it, how about you?" before the last easy going chord, the album is filled to the brim with smooth and happy melodies that sets at least me in a good mood. Almost 70 years removed from the album's release the nostalgia factor is of course extreme, and I guess it's up to each and anyone if that's good or bad. I don't have much else to say for now, but coupling this album together with In the Wee Small Hours is a great double entry into Frank Sinatra's music, to get what he's all about, and discover why he's such a legendary artist.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
3

An album covering "existing pop standards in a hipper, jazzier fashion". Without having to listened to lots of the previous or subsequent versions, it's hard to say how innovative these arrangements were, but the album certainly feels vital. Even if it's hard to reconcile covers of songs from more than 20 years earlier going toe to toe with Elvis and early rock music, the songs and performances from Sinatra are still evocative of a time and mood. Whether any songs are the definitive versions, this was an enjoyable listen and probably one of the starkest contrasts from the Marshall Mathers LP when the most risqué thing discussed is "Makin' Whoopee"

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 15 2021
3

The album starts off with those strong hipster cocktail party vibes that place me in a fancy hotel bar drinking $14 martinis all by my lonesome. Look, Sinatra sings a lot about dumb "I'm so rich and hot and famous" white people shit but I can't help it if I enjoy some big band every now and then. Also, there's literally a song on here called Makin' Whoopee... such simpler times.

👍
View Author
Mon May 17 2021
3

So iconic that it feels like a cliche.

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 15 2021
3

*Swoon*, this cat sure knows how to swing. Jazz standards never fail to satisfy. But the album feels safe and clean, a collection of great singles without much of a through line and that's A-okay. Effortlessly cool and Suave as Ol' Blue Eyes. Perfect for a Cocktail party that you just don't want to end, but I'm not sure I'll return to the whole. Just the parts of its sum.

👍
View Author
Sat May 08 2021
3

When he said forget, it sounded a lot like baguette. 5/10, neat but not for me

👍
View Author
Mon Jan 25 2021
3

Feel good album by the legend himself. Buble go home.

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 31 2021
3

I've always enjoyed Frank Sinatra's voice. Its smooth, it croons, and it can really set a mood. But if I'm going to rate a musician I'd like them to actually create some of the music. Don't get me wrong he is a fantastic singer, but he didn't write these songs or play on them, so no matter how deep I fall into those ol' blue eyes I still got to say this one was a middling effort.

👍
View Author
Tue Apr 13 2021
3

Sounds like Frank Sinatra, exactly what you'd expect. If you already like Sinatra, you'll like this.

👍
View Author
Tue Sep 14 2021
3

It's hard to separate the music from the image (and admittedly hard to get Joe Piscopo's and Phil Hartman's Frank Sinatra characitures out of my head whenever I hear Frank sing, as well as the Johnny Fontane character in the Godfather movies), so I really tried to clear my mind of all the cultural stuff and just listen. I still like the music -- that era's swing-jazz-pop music is a lot of fun -- although I found from listening to it again, really focusing on the music, without all the Sinatra image stuff in it, it's just okay. There are artists from that era I like better. It doesn't really matter because there's no satisfying answer to the artist v. art question, but I'm glad I pushed myself to listen to it that way. Given this album and artist's massive appeal and popularity, makes sense it's on this list.

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 21 2021
3

This was an interesting experience. It's not just that so many of these songs are standard, but it's when they are sung in a Sinatra-esque fashion - and that casts a long shadow, retrospectively. Despite the name, the collection of songs feels quite tame, the marital drama of \"Makin Whoopee\" being a throwback to the time before middle-class contraception. I'm not sure if this is one of those highly influential albums, or if it's just representative of a bangin' pop album of its era. I think the familiarity of every darn track made it hard to engage. It's more like the sort of album that Auntie Pam has playing in the background while she makes the finishing touches to her cocktail evening preparation.

👍
View Author
Tue Oct 26 2021
3

Un album sans surprise aucune de la part de notre antiquité musicale préférée.

👍
View Author
Sun Nov 07 2021
3

Sinatra couldn't sing a song bad if he'd try. It's not that every song he sings is great, it's just that the formula consisting of his vocal style of swing instrumentation sounds great. I could listen to Sinatra for hours. One of the most accessible and easy-listening traditional pop albums out there. However, only few of his songs have more substance than the jazzy sound and great voice. On one hand, we have very consistent efforts that makes for a pleasing experience, yet most of the tracks are soulless and yet to be inspired.

👍
View Author
Sat Nov 26 2022
3

Technically very proficient, but lacking that indefinable something that changes "Muzak" into "art". Pleasant enough, but very very old fashioned and doesn't really help explain his reputation. I did like it (honest!), I just struggle to see how anyone could properly love it.

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 25 2023
2

He sounds like someone trying to sing to sound cool while simultaneously being too concerned about not being cool doing it. I never got the appeal. I often find that the inflections he puts on phrases don't match what he's singing about. It sounds like it's about him not about the song.

👍
View Author
Tue May 25 2021
5

Sorry Steve. Just testing to see just how open to abuse this thing is. But you really should give Exile on Main Street another listen, it's a fucking banger, mate.

👍
View Author
Wed Sep 30 2020
5

Some nice classics. “Anything Goes” and “You Make Me Feel So Young” feel pretty timeless in all honesty. Pretty consistent tunes, nothing drowning the others out.

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 13 2021
5

First album on the list. How can you complain about Sinatra as your first album? Especially with the first song being you make me feel so young. I think I'm going to enjoy this daily album challenge

👍
View Author
Tue Mar 16 2021
5

Cinco estrellas con base en el método preestablecido y auditable en todos aspectos. De esos discos que debería escuchar una vez al día, ya no digamos en la vida.

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 16 2021
5

Frank is always an excelletn choice!

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 20 2021
5

Perfect for a date - dinner night at home

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 22 2021
5

Frank Sinatra! Altijd geweldig!

👍
View Author
Sat Mar 06 2021
5

Pues nada nuevo, se conoce la potencia vocal de este hombre, las letras son muy bonitas y están musicalizadas de manera impecable. Es lo que es.

👍
View Author
Tue Mar 02 2021
5

Great sunny day walking music. Upbeat, swingin' & happy

👍
View Author
Sun Mar 21 2021
5

Great album for a sunny workday morning.

👍
View Author
Fri May 07 2021
5

It's Sinatra, what's not to enjoy?

👍
View Author
Mon May 17 2021
5

Although not what you mould consider an album by modern standards, this is an amazing collection of Old Blue Eyes.

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 22 2021
5

I love the orchestra in the background. I would knock off half a star because the songs are all really similar.

👍
View Author
Thu Jun 24 2021
5

What can you say about this one? Classic Sinatra. All great songs. Missing a couple of my favorite Sinatra songs (like Luck Be a Lady), but they're all exactly what you'd expect on a Sinatra album.

👍
View Author
Fri Jul 30 2021
5

Yeah, baby. Yeah! Love Frank.

👍
View Author
Fri Oct 01 2021
5

It's old blue eyes. A shitty, shitty man, but a great singer.

👍
View Author
Sun Oct 03 2021
5

This is absolutely sensational. Can't fault it in any way whatsoever. Gotta be a 5 all things considered

👍
View Author
Wed Oct 20 2021
5

Classic album and really nice to listen to.

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 05 2021
5

Peak Sinatra, the lead track might be my favorite of all his recordings. It's worth pointing out that this was the peak of his career revival with Capitol and a huge deal to the Italian American community, who had in Sinatra a role model for getting out of underclass status in America.

👍
View Author
Mon Nov 29 2021
5

The definition of classy music. Sublime instrumentation throughout. There's old-fashioned magic here.

👍
View Author
Wed Dec 29 2021
5

Listened to this twice in a row and again in the following days when I should have been listening to other albums, oops. I love this style of music and Frank is in charge of it so this is a big winner for me. It's just so classic love love love

👍
View Author
Thu Jan 27 2022
5

I like everyone else like to listen to Frank Sinatra around Christmas time. When did he become such a Christmas classic? Was that always the case or is that like a 21st century thing...

👍
View Author
Thu Feb 17 2022
5

It's Frank's world, we just live in it.

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 22 2022
5

An almost perfect album, every song is memorable.

👍
View Author
Tue Mar 01 2022
5

Sinatra never go out of style.

👍
View Author
Tue Apr 05 2022
5

An absolute classic album, through and through. A velvety sound from the backing orchestra, and an even smoother voice coming from Sinatra. A beautiful album that has remained timeless and will continue to. Let the sun shine and the jazz swing.

👍
View Author
Thu Apr 07 2022
5

Old School music, to give a bit of swing to your day. Great album with some of the most famous classics.

👍
View Author
Thu May 19 2022
5

Sinatra's 10th album. Arranged by Nelson Riddle. This album has 15 songs that were pop standards reinterpreted by Sinatra (and Nelson) in a more jazzy way. I have to say I was in a pretty grumpy mood and then I listened to this. Now, not as grumpy. This is the first Sinatra album I listened to, especially at any depth. One impressive thing about these songs is his timing and interactions with the orchestra. He seems to be almost playing with them and when the music steps up, he steps backs. Great patience. Also, absolutely great arrangements by Nelson Riddle. All songs are in the three- to four-minute long range. You can't go wrong with any of these. To really do a thorough review, I would have needed to go back and listen to the original songs or at least the best-known versions for comparison. Unfortunately, no time for that. A song highlight for me is "I Got You Under My Skin" which is a Cole Porter tune where I had heard the orginal. Sinatra's delivery and the orchestra taking off midstream with the trombone and horns are tremendous. Other songs which I note for there uplifting spirit and overall excellence: "Too Marvelous for Words," "Pennies from Heaven " You Make Me Feel So Young." This is an album to lift you up on a rainy day or when you might be in a grumpy mood.

👍
View Author
Tue Jul 19 2022
5

It's probably cool to bash Frank these days, but I love these albums.

👍
View Author
Tue Jul 26 2022
5

Frank Sinatra makes me feel like Fred Astaire (but less tired).

👍
View Author
Fri Aug 05 2022
5

Absolute classic. How anyone can not give old blue eyes 5 stars is beyond me. Maybe I'm just an old fart. That voice so smooth, the orchestra so jazzy, the overall effect is like slipping into a warm bath. I feel relaxed.

👍
View Author
Sat Aug 20 2022
5

Some of my favorite Sinatra songs on this album. There was a pleasant cover of Anything Goes by Cole Porter on here. Which for any Fallout fans out there will sound immediately familiar.

👍
View Author
Wed Aug 24 2022
5

After being slightly disappointed by “In The Wee Small Hours”, Frank’s release from the year before this one, I wasn’t sure how this might go. Everything about this was better. Nelson Riddle and his orchestra really shines. They would make this album a five with any number of crooners at the mic - check out the incredible instrumental break in “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”. Still, Frank is particularly on point here and compliments these arrangements perfectly. Forget the wee small hours… I’m cooling it with the swingin’ lovers!

👍
View Author
Wed Aug 24 2022
5

I could swing with Frank all day!

👍
View Author
Wed Aug 24 2022
5

This was definitely a swingin' album. Loved it!!

👍
View Author
Wed Aug 24 2022
5

I love this as a counterpart to In the Wee Small Hours. That one, torchy and emotional, with this one, joyful and exuberant. He made it through the dark night and finally found love! Whoopee! As with that album, this never feels campy or over the top. What I noticed is that Sinatra is such a master of syncopation and phrasing that people have constantly imitated, parodied, and exaggerated it ever since (including Frank himself down the road. I've tried to imitate it and it really can go terribly wrong.) The real thing, however, is masterful. For a good example, I would suggest the opening of "Anything Goes." Subtle, but distinctive and effective. I was intrigued by the idea (simplified here) that Sinatra's fame in the 40s was due to his natural abilities, but that in the 50s he worked really really hard to develop his voice and get back in the game after a lull in his career. "I've Got You Under My Skin" really showcases how good he sounds through a wide vocal range. It's an incredible performance at the apex of his singing. It's also important to give credit to Nelson Riddle, who was absolutely key to making this album so great. Any singer was lucky to sing to his arrangements and orchestra.

👍
Load more reviews