“But Not for Me” x 5
1. Woody Allen’s Manhattan. At the end. As soon as he sees Tracy/Mariel Hemingway and all of her luggage, the music shifts from “Strike Up the Band” to “But Not for Me.”
(I could go on and on about this movie, the 70s-ness of it, how it could never be made now, how I didn’t like it or get it in 1979 because I couldn’t get past the icky relationship with the 17-year-old girl, how it’s grown on me.)
2. Sonny Rollins’ 17 minute live version off of this collection:
It’s on Spotify. I am fascinated by American jazz musicians in Europe in the 50s. It’s probably time for another look at Round Midnight.
3. My shower version. No, really.
4. Billie Holiday. Probably the first recording of the song that I ever owned. You know, back in the stone age when people owned music.
5. An exceedingly bizarre recording with Elvis Costello on vocals and Larry Adler on harmonica. Orchestrated up. It’s awful. Don’t click on it!
It’s amazing how many dirge-like recordings there are of this. If you’re gonna sing it, the lyrics demand a light touch.
