The Definitive American Songbook: Johnny Mercer Pt. 4

The final edition of The Definitive Johnny Mercer looks at some of his later work: collaborations with Hoagy Carmichael and Henry Mancini, songs that earned him a second, third and fourth Academy Award and something he translated into one of Sinatra’s biggest hits. Here are five must-have recordings for your collection.

“Days of Wine and Roses” Cassandra Wilson from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

In the later part of his career, Johnny Mercer collaborated with Henry Mancini on two songs, both of which received Academy Awards. Cassandra Wilson’s recording of “Days of Wine and Roses” was done for the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. She’s backed by a group of super-killing musicians: Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Russell Malone and Gregory Hutchinson. Wilson, herself being a super-killing musician, is right at home leading what can only be described as a super group.

“Moon River” Barbra Streisand from The Movie Album

The other collaboration between Mercer and Mancini to win an Academy Award was written for dual threat, Audrey Hepburn, in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Another multi-platform star, as the kids are calling them these days, recorded the definitive version more than forty years later. Barbra Streisand chose “Moon River” for her 2003 release The Movie Album, and like every single Streisand recording in the history of Streisand recordings, this one is flawless. She’s not just a great singer, she’s ridiculously great. Other singers raise the bar, Barbra is the bar.

“Something’s Gotta Give” Sammy Davis Jr. from Something’s Gotta Give

One of the few songs Johnny Mercer wrote both the lyrics and music is “Something’s Gotta Give.” One of the cooler aspects of this little jam is the science behind it. Mercer used the irresistible force paradox - the whole unmovable object meets unstoppable force dilemma - to make make his argument.  The lyrics have fun with the idea that you’re the force, I’m the object and you better believe something’s gotta give and someone will be kissed. Sammy Davis Jr. swings this one out of the park.

“Summer Wind” Frank Sinatra from The Songs of Johnny Mercer

Originally released as “Der Sommerwind” in Germany, the song caught Johnny Mercer’s ear inspiring him to write an English version. Although Wayne Newton was first to market with this gem of the Songbook, Frank Sinatra’s version is the one and only that matters. This song is so attached to Sinatra that any other version is basically karaoke.

“In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman from Here Comes The Groom

The campiest number on the list is “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening.” Mercer teamed up with Hoagy Carmichael to write a song for a film that never came out. The song sat unused in the Paramount vaults until it was magically discovered and given to Jane Wyman and Bing Crosby for Here Comes the Groom. The song went on to win an Oscar, Mercer's second. Before evite, Facebook and Meetup, people would burst into song when planning an evening out on the town. In the video, Crosby and Wyman show us how much fun could be had in the pregame.