The 10 Best Benny Goodman Songs of All-Time

Benny Goodman was an American jazz clarinetist, songwriter, musician, and bandleader. His music genre comprised Jazz and swing. Goodman’s bands launched the careers of many major jazz artists. He is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. He’s a leader for the first integrated jazz group during the era of racial segregation. Finally, in this article, we take a look at 10 of Goodman’s best songs.

10. Let’s Dance

 

Let’s Dance is a song about a man asking his lover to dance with him slowly. It is a romantic ballad that Goodman recorded with his orchestra in the year 1955. The song is by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer. The song became a huge hit reaching number nine on Billboard’s pop charts. It is one of the songs that did very well in The Benny Goodman Story, Vol. 1. This song has been used as a soundtrack in several TV shows and films like Brooklyn.

9. Six Flats Unfurnished

 

Six Flats Unfurnished is a beautiful song with a strong message about not giving up on your dreams. It is about a man who is trying to make it in the world, but he keeps getting knocked down. However, despite all of the setbacks, he refuses to give up and he eventually succeeds. According to Open Spotify, the song is an inspiration to never give up on your dreams and to keep fighting for what you want. This song was released in the year 1959 as one of the top tracks in the album The Benny Goodman Treasure Chest. It was used as a soundtrack in several movies, TV shows, and films like The Benny Goodman Story, The Glenn Miller Story, and The Rat Race. It is covered by many artists including Harry Connick Jr., Tony Bennett, and Michael Buble.

8. Don’t Be That Way

 

Don’t Be That Way is a song about a man begging his lady to stop crying and to enjoy the night. He doesn’t want her to be mad at him and he tries to make her feel better by saying that they can go dancing. The song was written by Mitchell Parish and Sammy Cahn. However, the original version of the song was recorded by Benny Goodman and his orchestra in 1934. It was released as a single and became a huge hit, reaching number four on the Billboard charts. The song is covered by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. Fortunately, this track is used as a soundtrack in several movies and TV shows like The Simpsons, and Glee.

6. Jersey Bounce

 

This song was written by Bobby Troup and Jerry Gray. It was released in 1959 and was a big hit for Goodman reaching number three on the Billboard charts. The song is about the state of New Jersey and the memories that Goodman had of growing up there. This is one of the top tracks in The Benny Goodman Treasure Chest album. However, it is a soundtrack in many TV shows, films, and movies like The Sopranos, Django Unchained, and The Simpsons.

5. Flying Home

 

This song is about Goodman’s journey home from Chicago to New York. He is tired and ready to go home to his family. The song has a great sense of longing and nostalgia. The clarinet solo is beautiful and captures the feeling of homesickness. Finally, the song is written by Lionel Hampton and Goodman’s wife, Mildred Bailey. According to Playback FM, it does well and reaches number four on the Billboard charts. Furthermore, this song is covered by several artists including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. It is featured as a soundtrack in several films like The Aviator, and Catch Me If You Can.

4. Slipped Disc

 

Slipped Disc is a song about a man who’s down on his luck. He’s lost his job, his home, and his family. But despite all of this, he’s got the one thing that can’t be taken away from him: his love for music. Furthermore, this did quite well reaching number fourteen on the US Billboard charts. However, it is sung by several artists including, Harry Connick Jr, Ray Charles, and Diana Krall. In addition to that, this song is part of a soundtrack for many films, TV shows, and movies like The Aviator, Catch Me If You Can, and The Wolf of Wall Street.

3. Good-Bye

 

Released in the year 1958, Good-Bye is a powerful song about saying farewell. Goodman’s clarinet playing is full of emotion and nostalgia, making this song one of his best. However, it is one of the top tracks in the Benny In Brussels album. Furthermore, this song is one fans appreciate, and it is evident in the track reaching number seventeen on the Billboard charts. According to Ranker, it is covered by many artists including Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, and Glenn Miller. However, the song is also in the film and movie industry as a track in the movie The Glenn Miller Story.

2. Moonglow

 

Released in the year 1936, Moonglow is a song about how the night sky can make a person feel. It’s all about how the stars seem to be in love, and how they make the person feel. Furthermore, the song is on the soundtrack for the movie The Fabulous Baker Boys. However, it is covered by many artists, including Michael Buble and Diana Krall.

1. Taking A Chance On Love

 

Taking A Chance On Love is a song about how important it is to always give love a chance. This was released in the year 1974 as the lead single in the album Benny Goodman & Helen Forrest –The Original Recordings Of The 1940s. It is part of soundtracks for several movies like The Catch Me If You Can, and The Wolf of Wall Street. However, this was the last song that Benny Goodman recorded before his death in 1986. This song did well reaching number 37 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart.

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