On a Little Street in Singapore

Frank Sinatra

About On a Little Street in Singapore

"On a Little Street in Singapore" is a jazz song written by Peter DeRose and Billy Hill. Though now obscure, it had some measure of popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, marked by a number of high-profile performances. Artists to cover the song included Frank Sinatra with Harry James, Dave Brubeck & Paul Desmond, Glenn Miller, Bert Kaempfert, Jimmy Dorsey and most recently Bob Dylan. Manhattan Transfer covered it again in 1978. The song features a haunting, lazy hook in a minor key, with numerous diminished chords. The overall impression is both languid and wistful. 


Year:
2004
2:47
75 
#1

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On a little street in Singapore,
We'd meet beside a lotus-covered door,
A veil of moonlight on her lonely face,
How pale the hands that held me in embrace.
My sails tonight are filled with perfume of Shalimar,
And temple bells will guide me to the shore.
And then I'll hold her in my arms, and love the way I loved before,
On a little street in Singapore.

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Frank Sinatra

Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra, /sɨˈnɑːtrə/, (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and film actor of Italian origin. more »

36 fans

Written by: BILLY HILL, PETER DE ROSE

Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Original Artists & Release
"On a Little Street in Singapore" was originally recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1939. The vocalist was Ray Eberle.
Frank Sinatra's Rendition
Frank Sinatra recorded his version of "On a Little Street in Singapore" with the Harry James Orchestra in 1939. This was during his early career when he was a band singer for Harry James before joining Tommy Dorsey's orchestra and eventually becoming a solo artist.
Bob Dylan's Rendition
Bob Dylan included it on his 37th studio album, "Fallen Angels," which was released in May 2016. The album primarily contains cover versions of well-known American songs.
Harry James' Role
"On a Little Street in Singapore" is likewise one of Harry James and his band's early recordings, with Frank Sinatra providing the vocals. James was a prominent musician and band leader of the swing era.
Composition & Themes
"On a Little Street in Singapore" was composed by Peter DeRose and Billy Hill. The song is a romantic tune that uses the setting of an exotic, far-off land to evoke a sense of mystery and longing.
Popular Culture
The song made a notable appearance in the 1943 World War II movie, "Bombardier," performed by the Harry James Orchestra.
Modern Renditions
Apart from Bob Dylan, several other contemporary artists have covered "On a Little Street in Singapore", including Jimmy Buffett in his album "Far Side of the World" released in 2002.
Glenn Miller's Influence
Glenn Miller and his orchestra's contribution to the original recording of the song helped solidify their reputation for smooth, stylized arrangements that came to characterize the Big Band and Swing era.
Various Interpretations
Although all these artists—Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, and Harry James—have recorded the same song, each rendition is unique in style, showcasing each artist's individual interpretation and musical approach.
Legacy
"On a Little Street in Singapore" remains a classic standard from the American Songbook, enduring through the decades and continuing to be covered by various artists, demonstrating its timeless appeal.

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