And the Angels Sing

Benny Goodman & His Orchestra, Benny Goodman

About And the Angels Sing

And the Angels Sing is a 1944 musical directed by George Marshall and starring Dorothy Lamour, Fred MacMurray, and Betty Hutton. Released by Paramount Pictures, it is a classic example of a film written to capitalize on the title of a previously popular song, in this case Benny Goodman's 1939 number one hit, "And the Angels Sing" by Ziggy Elman and Johnny Mercer, sung by Martha Tilton, though the song is not actually in the film. The standout original songs in the musical were "It Could Happen To You", sung by Dorothy Lamour, which quickly became a pop standard, and "His Rocking Horse Ran Away," which became one of Betty Hutton's most popular numbers. The story is about a singing sister group, their exploitation by a bandleader, and their subsequent rise to fame. One of the sisters is portrayed by Mimi Chandler, daughter of former Kentucky governor and baseball commissioner Happy Chandler. "Happy" is also the name of Fred MacMurray's character in the story. 


Year:
1992
3:12
24 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

We meet, and the angels sing
The angels sing the sweetest song I ever heard
You speak, and the angels sing
Or am I breathing music into every word

Suddenly, the setting is strange
I can see water and moonlight beaming
Silver waves that break on some undiscovered shore - Then
Suddenly, I see it all change
Long winter nights with the candles gleaming
Through it all your face that I adore.

You smile, and the angels sing
And though it's just a gentle murmur at the start
We kiss, and the angels sing
And leave their music ringing in my heart.

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Benny Goodman

Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing". more »

1 fan

Written by: ZIGGY ELMAN, JOHNNY MERCER

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Creation
"And the Angels Sing," initially introduced as an instrumental track under the title "Fralech in Swing" by trumpeter Ziggy Elman in 1938, was later retitled and added lyrics by the acclaimed lyricist, Johnny Mercer.
Popularity
With Benny Goodman's orchestra and Martha Tilton's vocals, "And the Angels Sing" became a top ten hit in 1939.
Legacy
Benny Goodman's version of "And the Angels Sing" has left a lasting legacy, being covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Glenn Miller Orchestra and Ella Fitzgerald.
Influence
Ziggy Elman's performance on "And the Angels Sing" inspired a trend in jazz and pop music for songs featuring a quasi-Klezmer clarinet styling.
Album Inclusion
The track is included in several Benny Goodman's compilation albums such as "The Benny Goodman Story," "Benny Goodman's Greatest Hits," and "All-Time Greatest Hits."
Film Reference
The song went on to lend its name to a 1944 film, "And the Angels Sing," featuring Fred MacMurray and Dorothy Lamour.
Mercer's Inspiration
Johnny Mercer penned the lyrics of the song reportedly while driving, after hearing the tune played by Ziggy Elman on his car radio.
Commercial Success
"And the Angels Sing" was one of Benny Goodman's big commercial successes and continues to be a staple in his discography.
Recognition
The song is recognized as one of Mercer's considerable contributions to the Great American Songbook.
Awards
In 1989, more than five decades after its release, "And the Angels Sing" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Cultural References
The phrase “And the Angels Sing” has been used in popular culture, appearing in television series such as "The West Wing" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Immortalization
The song is included in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."

Discuss the And the Angels Sing Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "And the Angels Sing Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/668117/Benny+Goodman/And+the+Angels+Sing>.

    Missing lyrics by Benny Goodman?

    Know any other songs by Benny Goodman? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    And the Angels Sing

    0
    0     0

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which song that has the lyrics "Not sure I told you, but I really like your teeth"?
    A That's Rich
    B Sharks
    C Give That Wolf A Banana
    D I Like to Move It

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Benny Goodman tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    And the Angels Sing

    »
    • The Benny Goodman Story