Language English | ||
Published 1921 Harry H. Pace1924 Edward B. Marks Music Corporation Writer(s) Composer: Benton OverstreetLyricist: Billy Higgins | ||
"There'll Be Some Changes Made" ("Changes") is a popular song by Benton Overstreet (composer) and Billy Higgins (lyricist). Published in 1921, the song has flourished in several genres, particularly jazz, for ninety-five years. The song has endured for as many years as a jazz standard. According to the online The Jazz Discography (an index of jazz-only recordings), "Changes" has been recorded 391 times (as of December 2016). The song and its record debut was revolutionary, in that (i) the songwriters (Overstreet and Higgins, both aged of 33), the original copyright publisher, Harry Herbert Pace, (iii) the vocalist to first record it (Ethel Waters, aged 24), (iv) the owners of Black Swan (the record label), (v) the opera singer (Elizabeth Greenfield, deceased 45 years) for whom the label was named, and (vi) the musicians on the recording led by Fletcher Henderson (aged 23), were all African American. The production is identified by historians as a notable part of the Harlem Renaissance.
Contents
- 1920s
- 1930s
- 1940s
- 1950s
- 1960s current
- Western swing and country western
- Selected videography filmography and stage
- Selected discography
- Selected rollography player pianos
- Copyrights
- Sheet music covers
- References
1920s
The debut recording with Ethel Waters was recorded on Black Swan Records (2021) and rapidly became a hit. Her rendition features the rarely-heard 6-bar instrumental intro, followed by her singing the 1st verse (16 bars, plus 1), then her singing the 1st chorus (16 bars, plus 2), then instruments playing 8 bars of the chorus, finishing with her singing the 1st chorus (16 bars, plus 2).
Variety magazine, in a fifty-year commemorative issue, included Ethel Waters' recording in its "Hit Parade of a Half-Century (1905–1955)" list for 1923. A 1924 recording by Marion Harris (Brunswick 2651) helped establish it as a standard. Other artists with notable recordings during the 1920s include Josie Miles (Ajax 17087; 1924), Sophie Tucker (Okeh 40921; 1927), and the Chicago Rhythm Kings (Red McKenzie, vocalist; Brunswick 4001; 1928). In jazz discography, which does not include the recordings of Marion Harris or Sophie Tucker, there were 11 recordings of the song during the 1920s.
1930s
Standout recordings from the 1930s include Fats Waller (Bluebird B10322; 1935), Pee Wee Russell's Rhythmakers (HRS (de) 1000; 1938), and Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (Louise Tobin, vocalist, Fletcher Henderson arrangement; Columbia 35210; 1939). In jazz discography, there were 17 recordings of the song during the 1930s, including double takes by (i) Benny Carter and His Swing Quintet (Masters of Jazz (F)MJCD95 CD & Vocalion S46), (ii) Pee Wee Russell's Rhythmakers (both takes on HRS 1001; 1938), (iii) Benny Goodman And His Orchestra (Columbia 35210 & Phontastic (Swd)NOST7606; 1939), and (iv) Eddie Condon And His Chicagoans (Decca 18041 & Meritt 11; 1939).
1940s
1941 was not a good year for newly published popular music. According to a January 31, 1942, Billboard article, ASCAP members claimed only 2 of the top 13 sellers in sheet music. Five of the remaining 11 were revivals, one of which was "There'll Be Some Changes Made." The 1941 film, Play Girl, gave new life to the song. In 1941, Benny Goodman's 1939 version became a Billboard No. 1 Hit for 4 weeks (during April and May) and peaked at No. 2 on Your Hit Parade. In 1961, BMI published a list, "All-Time Hit Songs, Broadcast Music, Inc., 1940–1960," in Billboard. "There'll Be Some Changes Made" was among the 17 songs listed for 1947. In jazz discography, there were 60 recordings of the song during the 1940s.
Notable recordings from the 1940s include Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra (Marilyn Duke, vocalist; Bluebird B-11025-A; 1941), and Peggy Lee (Capital 15001; 1947).
1950s
In early 1959, Billie Holiday did three sessions with Ray Ellis and orchestra for MGM Records in New York: March 3, 4, and 11. She recorded "Changes" in the final session. That session turned out to be the last studio session of her life. She died 4 months and 6 days later — on July 17. The album — released under various titles, notably, Last Recording (MGM SE-3764; 1959) — was posthumously released.
In jazz discography, there were 42 recordings of "Changes" during the 1950s.
1960s – current
Notable artists who recorded "Changes" include Jaki Byard (Muse 5007; 1972), and Tony Bennett (Improv 7112; 1973–1977).
Western swing and country western
Outside of jazz, in western swing, Bob Wills recorded it in 1937 (Vocalion DAL 244-1). In country music, Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler recorded — on their 1990 Grammy award winning album Neck and Neck — a parody version that references the Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing" ...
Selected videography, filmography, and stage
Television
Feature films
Shorts
Stage
Selected discography
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Selected rollography (player pianos)
- MelOdee 1257
Melodee Music Co., Inc. - QRS 7389
February 1941
Fats Waller, piano roll artist - QRS Word Roll 8316
J. Lawrence Cook, piano roll artist
(audio on YouTube) - Aeolian 1741
J. Lawrence Cook, piano roll artist
Copyrights
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Sheet music covers
Edward B. Marks Corporation was the publisher of "There'll Be Some Changes Made." The sheet music cover design, artwork by Irving Politzer (1898–1972), featured portraits of performers who had recorded the song. Those appearing on covers include Marion Harris, Ruth Etting, and Benny Goodman.