The 10 Best Jimmy Durante Songs of All-Time
Jimmy is one of those artists that just gets better with age. Though he’d been writing and performing for over six decades, his music is still relevant today. His songs are as catchy as ever, and his voice is just as strong. According to Neworldencyclopedia, He wrote some of the most iconic songs of all time which made him one of the most popular and enduring performers of his era. There’s no doubt that Jimmy was a legend, and his songs are some of the most iconic of all time. Here are 10 of Jimmy’s best songs that prove he’s still got it.
10. As Time Goes By
This song is a classic ballad that has been covered by many artists, but Jimmy’s version is the most iconic. It’s a beautiful song that showcases his voice perfectly. Jimmy’s version of this song was used in the film Casablanca, which helped to make it even more popular. The song has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame which is a testament to its lasting popularity.
9. You Made Me Love You
Released in 1965, “You Made Me Love You” was one of Jimmy Durante’s final hit songs. The track peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was included on Durante’s album, Sings the Songs Everybody Knows. The song talks about how the narrator was initially against love, but then they met someone who changed their mind. The lyrics are lighthearted and funny, with Durante’s trademark humor shining through. You Made Me Love You is a classic example of Durante’s ability to take a standard song and put his unique spin on it. His vocal performance is full of energy and charisma, making the track a joy to listen to.
8. Frosty the Snowman
This holiday classic was written by Steve Nelson and Walter E. Rollins in 1950, but it was Jimmy Durante’s version that made it a hit. According to Wikipedia, Durante’s gravelly voice and comedic delivery made the song a holiday favorite for generations. Frosty the Snowman is a Christmas song about a snowman who comes to life through the power of a magical hat. The song has been covered by many artists, but Durante’s version is the most well-known. Peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
7. I’ll Be Seeing You
The song ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ was released in 1944 by Jimmy Durante. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard charts and stayed there for seven weeks. The song is about a soldier who is leaving for war and the woman he loves. The song is a beautiful ballad and Durante’s voice is perfect for the emotion of the song. It was written by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal and has been covered by many artists over the years. Durante’s version is definitive and his performance is moving.
6. If I Had You
This song was written by Jimmy in collaboration with Irving Berlin, and it quickly became one of his most popular hits. It has a wonderful, catchy melody that is impossible to forget. The lyrics are also very memorable, and they express a deep yearning for love and companionship. This is a song that will stay with you forever. “If I Had You” was included in the movie “Swing Time” starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was also featured in the movie “The Fabulous Baker Boys” starring Jeff Bridges and Michelle Pfeiffer.
5. My Gal’s Got It
It’s no surprise that one of Jimmy Durante’s most popular songs is also one of his funniest. “My Gal’s Got It” is a hilarious ode to a gal who’s got, well, everything. From her cooking skills to her fashion sense, Durante enumerates all how his gal is the total package. And while it’s clear that he’s smitten with her, he also can’t help but poke fun at her various quirks. It’s a perfect example of Durante’s gift for delivering comedy with a big heart, and it’s impossible not to smile along with him as he sings.
4. Try a Little Tenderness
Though it was originally written as a ballad for the 1932 film “Swing Time,” “Try a Little Tenderness” has been covered by everyone from Otis Redding to Bruce Springsteen. Durante’s version is unique in its playfulness, with the crooner adding his scatting flourishes to the already-catchy melody. It’s a timeless track that reminds listeners to be a little kinder to one another.
3. Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
This 1953 tune was originally written for the film “Lili,” and though it wasn’t a chart-topper, it’s become one of Durante’s most beloved and recognizable songs. It perfectly captures the character’s childlike wonder and innocence, with Durante’s trademark humor shining through in the lyrics. Jimmy Durante’s gravel-voiced delivery is the perfect vehicle for this sentimental ballad about unrequited love.
2. Ink A Dink A Doo
Durante’s 1952 recording of “Ink A Dink A Doo” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. This song’s lyrics are about the simple joys of life and love, and its catchy tune has helped it endure as one of Durante’s most beloved songs. According to Playback, The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard charts and was Durante’s highest-charting single. Jimmy Durante’s exuberant performance of “Ink A Dink A Doo” on The Ed Sullivan Show helped make the song a hit, and it has since been covered by numerous artists, including Bob Dylan and Bette Midler.
1. The Glory of Love
“The Glory of Love” is one of Jimmy Durante’s most famous and well-loved songs. The tune is catchy and Durante’s performance is full of heart. The lyrics are simple but profound, and the song has been covered by many artists over the years. It was originally released in 1936, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1995. This song peaked at number two on the Billboard charts and has been a staple of American pop culture for generations.
Conclusion
Jimmy Durante was a prolific and popular singer, songwriter, and actor in the early to mid-20th century. He was known for his distinctive gravelly voice, off-beat humor, and piano-playing skills. Durante recorded hundreds of songs over his career, many of which have become classics. The above ten are some of his best-known and most beloved tunes. Even if you’re not a fan of Durante’s work, these songs are sure to put a smile on your face and get your toes tapping.
