Notable versions have been sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington and famously by Lena Horne in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. There are many other great versions also available- too many to name here!
But I have to say that my personal favourite is the version by Etta James. Listen here.
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| Etta James 1938 - 2012, not a natural blonde. |
Don't know why
There's no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all of the time
There's no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all of the time
Oh, yeah
Life is bad
Gloom and misery everywhere
Stormy weather, stormy weather
And I just can't get my poor self together
Oh, I'm weary all of the time
The time, so weary all of the time
When he went away
The blues walked in and met me
Oh, yeah if he stays away
Old rocking chair's gonna get me
All I do is pray
The Lord will let me
Walk in the sun once more
Oh, yeah if he stays away
Old rocking chair's gonna get me
All I do is pray
The Lord will let me
Walk in the sun once more
Can't go on
Everything I have is gone
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time
Keeps rainin' all the time
The song is heavy with the weather as a powerful metaphor for the singer's feelings as she moves from "gloom and misery everywhere" and eventually aspires to "walk in the sun once more". There is plenty of space within this song for a singer to display strong feelings and express emotions.
Harold Arlen wrote more than 500 popular songs. His most famous composition was Somewhere Over The Rainbow, voted the twentieth centurie's number one song. Ted Koehler was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1972.
I'm in Crete for a while so will respond when I get back home.
6 comments:
That is such a great song and I agree with you that Etta James rendition was wonderful.
Hi Bazza - it is a wonderful song ... and yes we can hear her feelings in the song ... and Etta James did and does have a lovely evocative voice ... Stormy Weather is a lovely song ... cheers Hilary
Brilliant song, a real favourite of mine Bazza, so nicely done!
I'm guessing you still can't comment at my place, what a bugger! Not you, Blogger hahaha.
Arleen: I'm glad you thought the same as me! Usually Ella Fitzgerald's version is regarded as the best but I really prefer Etta James in this case.
Hilary: I suppose that when the song is that good it's hard to make a bad version and that's a good test of a songs real value.
AC: It's proper classic, no doubt. I always loved hearing it.
I've got back from a week in Crete and haven't tried to post yet but no doubt nothing will change. I am getting a new computer set-up next week so hopefully all the problems will soon disappear! At least I can read your posts.....
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