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Out of This World (Johnny Mercer song)

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"Out of This World" is an American popular song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Johnny Mercer. It was first recorded by Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and his Orchestra in 1944.

It was introduced in the film Out of This World (1945) by Bing Crosby dubbing in for the voice of the main character played by Eddie Bracken.

Alec Wilder describes the Arlen melody as creating a modal feeling (E-flat Dorian) that achieves an unearthly effect. It is unlike his other lyric ballads in that it is one of Arlen's most direct and deliberately unrhythmic melodies—altogether a strong song with splendid support from the Johnny Mercer lyric.

Notable recordings

  • Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and his Orchestra - recorded September 1944, released 1945
  • Walter Benton - Out of This World (1960 album)
  • June Christy - Off-Beat (1960)
  • Roz Corral-Telling Tales (2005)
  • Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook (1961)
  • Mark Murphy - Rah! (1961)
  • Pepper Adams Donald Byrd Quintet - Out of this World (1961 album)
  • The Three Sounds - Out of This World (1962 album)
  • John Coltrane - Coltrane (1962)
  • Cal Tjader (arr. Clare Fischer) - Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen (recorded 1960, released 1962)
  • Tony Bennett - For Once in My Life (1967)
  • Mel TormĂ© - A Vintage Year (1987)
  • Nancy Lamott - Listen to My Heart (1995 album)
  • Maureen McGovern - Out of This World (1996 album)
  • Rosemary Clooney - Out of This World (2000)
  • Rachael MacFarlane - Hayley Sings (2012)
  • Brian Lane Green - Over the Rainbow: The Music of Harold Arlen (recorded live 1995), Brian Lane Green (1997 album)
  • Sammy Davis Jr. - The Summit: In Concert

    • References

    Out of This World (Johnny Mercer song) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA