Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Shite.

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

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.

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

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

As if Sinatra wasn't already destined for a 1* again already, he's decided to make a song called "making whoopee", which appears to be saying don't shag your wife on your wedding night else you'll have kids(?). Let this man's music die goddammit.

A classic. Love Frank Sinatra.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How could I give this icon less than 5 stars? I fell in love for the first time while listening to “Under My Skin.”

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.

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

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

Ver Nice!-In my best Borat voice

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…

Frank at his peak. Technically perfect and probably the best collection of songs he ever put out. Maybe a couple of skippable tracks, but overall this is pretty excellent. Fave Songs: I've Got You Under My Skin, Love Is Here to Stay, You Make Me Feel So Young, Pennies from Heaven, You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me

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"

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.

So iconic that it feels like a cliche.

*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.

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

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

Cool mais un peu redondant

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Not my style but pleasant enough. Not a fan of swing in general. Surprisingly sexual, though.

No. 256/1001 You Make Me Feel So Young 4/5 It Happend In Monterey 4/5 You're Getting To Be A Habit 3/5 You Brought A New Kind of Love to Me 3/5 Too Marvelous For Words 3/5 Old Devil Moon 3/5 Pennies From Heaven 3/5 Love Is Here To Stay 3/5 I've Got You Under My Skin 3/5 I Thought About You 3/5 We'll Be Together Again 3/5 Makin' Whoopee 3/5 Swingin' Down The Lane 3/5 Anything Goes 3/5 How About You? 3/5 Average: 3,13 Pleasant to listen to. But every song basically sounds the same.

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.

Frank Sinatra really can sing. I wish he fucking wouldn't, though. Boring bollocks.

I mean. I don't know. This stuff just feels like a gift shop full of plastic. I also have zero frame of reference for how folks were able to get away with stuff that was just so corny and syrupy. Corn syrup actually feels like a good analog. I wonder how many musicians on this list would consider what they do an "act" -- I find myself getting worked up haha. Chill! Ok ok. Idk, my gut says 2 stars.

All credits to Mr Sinatras voice and talents but I do believe I am too young and too cynical for this kind of genre.

no. goddamnit no. I could go an entire lifetime not listening to a single damn sinatra song and be happy as a clam. The band and arrangements are good, but sinatra ruins it with his too-smarmy-for-you vocal texture crooning. These lyrics are ridiculous, see Old Devil Moon

I thought Frankie was way ahead of the curve and pushing boundaries with a title like Swingin’ lovers! But unfortunately not, it was just boring Vegas type tunes for Grandpa. I’ve never understood his appeal and I guess I never will

Apologies to the aficionados, but once you’ve heard the first track you’ve heard them all. I don’t think an algorithm to generate new Frank Sinatra songs would be very complex at all.

I am not a Sinatra fan. He was a capable meh singer, maybe he was a revolution at some point, maybe he helped some performers breakthrough, mostly he was a mediocre vocalist who had some good arrangers, and hella talented players backing him. He was tied to the mob, he was full bluster, and just a shit human being. I do not suffer from a nostalgia for this person. There are better more talented artists to listen to, his daughter is hella more interesting and a good singer in her own right. Fuck Sinatra. I have heard enough and will definitely vote a 1 on this, enough people exist to slobber over this assholes history that 1 person not liking him will be fine.

Least favourite genre. Came out in a rash just considering listening to it.

I saw me in my obachan back in the 50s in Mexico City, hearing ‘bout this white dude with woody, velvety voice and just simply don’t understand it. He was something the world needed, but I don’t go for what the word speaks. As an album, is just a bunch of sticky old songs, music so mid ):

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.

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.

Classic. What a voice

What a guy

What a voice!

Great stuff

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

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.

JUST GREAT.

Frank is always an excelletn choice!

Fabulous

Love it! Relax

Perfect for a date - dinner night at home

Frank Sinatra! Altijd geweldig!

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.

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

Classic

Great album for a sunny workday morning.

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

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

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

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.

Yeah, baby. Yeah! Love Frank.

Great album

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

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

Classic album and really nice to listen to.

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.

Very enjoyable

❤️

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

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

lovely! classic! wonderful!

Swingin good time

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...

Love the chairman

Love it!

Love it.

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

An almost perfect album, every song is memorable.

Sinatra never go out of style.

Classic Franky!👍

Classic