1926 Music – Pop Standards and Artists

1926 Pop Standards and Artists

Al Jolson
I’m Sittin on Top Of The World
I’m Sitting On Top Of The World was written by Ray Henderson, with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young. It was a 1925 hit for Al Jolson but went on to be recorded by many others including Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee and Willie Nelson.

Al Jolson
When the Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin Along
“When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along)” is a 1926 popular song written by songwriter Harry M. Woods. The song was an instant hit for, Al Jolson, reached #1 on the Billboard charts with his version of the song although other performers recorded it the same year. The song would go on to be recorded by Doris Day and Dean Martin. The song would appear as children’s song issued by The Peter Pan Record label.

Gene Austin
Bye Bye Blackbird
Bye, Bye, Blackbird” is a song that was published in 1926 by the composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is a popular standard and has been recorded by many artists including John Coltrane, Bing Crosby, Joe Cocker and most recently in 2012 by Paul Mccartney. Liza Minelli used the song in her 1972 television concert entitled Liza With A Z (See video). In an episode of The Partridge Family the song was sung by Ray Bolger, who played Shirley Jones Father.

Gene Austin
Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Gal)
The song’s title is usually known as Has Anybody Seen My Gal. And it’s origins are not quite known. The song was originally out around 1914 and more than one person took credit for its composition. When the song became a hit in 1926 it’s music and words were changed a bit by Ray Henderson,(music) Sam M. Lewis and Joseph Widow Young (lyrics). This version of the song would be the one to endure.

George Olson
Always
“Always” was written by Irving Berlin in 1926. It was a wedding gift for bride Ellin McKay whom he married the same year. Not only was the song for her, but he also gave her the royalties too. This song would truly go on to be a pop standard and has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and most recently by Sir Paul McCartney in 2012. Frank Sinatra sang the song during the celebration of Berlin’s one-hundredth birthday in 1988. Berlin would die the following year.

Whispering Jack Smith
Baby Face
The music was written by Harry Akst, the lyrics by Benny Davis. It was recorded by numerous artists over the years such as Little Richard and Paul McCartney. The song was also sung by Julie Andrews in the 1967 movie musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Whispering Jack Smith
Gimme a Little Kiss Will Ya Huh
The song was written and composed by Maceo Pinkard. Pinkard was born in 1897 and was considered one of the greatest composers of the Harlem Renaissance. Not only was he a prolific songwriter he also was an orchestra conductor and eventually founded his own music publishing frim Maceo Pinkard Music.

Paul Whiteman
Birth of the Blues
The music was written by Ray Henderson, the lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown. It was Introduced by Paul Whiteman in 1926. The song would have a long history and would be a hit for Frank Sinatra. Bing Crosby would star in a movie inspired by the song title.

Vincent Lopez
Show Me The Way To Go Home
The piece is a folk song that was made famous by James Campbell and Reginald Connelly, a British songwriting team who wrote the lyrics after a railroad trip where they had had a few drinks. The song soon traveled across the Atlantic and became a hit in 1926. The song has been used in movies and TV and theater, as an example in Tennessee Williams Cat on A Hot Tin Roof. And was used recently in an episode of The Family Guy.

Top Artists and Songs of 1926

Whispering Jack Smith
Baby Face
Gimme A Little Kiss Will Ya Huh