Last Night When We Were Young-Profound Music and Words: Earlier in New York, Arlen met .E.Y. Harburg, a lyric writer with a strong social conscience. In 1935, they wrote " Last Night When We Were Young" for the motion picture " Metropolitan" . It was to be sung by Lawrence Tibbett, an opera star but only was used as instrumental background in the film. Alec Wilder, the perceptive popular song scholar declared that " This is a most remarkable and beautiful song. It is one which goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music. It hasn't any artiness about or pretense. It is written with such intensity ....it's obviously deeply felt, both by the composer and the lyric writer." Arlen said that it started with just an initial short phrase then further developed into the finished creation. The initial line was " Last Night When We Were Young" which Harburg felt captured " The whole pathos of the human situation . Harburg ended the song poetically with the sorrowful words " The Arms That Clung --Last Night- When We Were Young."
It has been reported that Arlen regarded this as his finest creation. Certainly it is in keeping with his own self-described melancholia that can be detected in a number of his most significant works. Young Judy Garland ( Francis Gumm at the time) upon hearing Lawrence Tibbett's recording was overcome admitted it was her most cherished song. For Garland, Arlen would subsequently provide " Over The Rainbow" and " The Man That Got Away" as showpieces for two of Garland's most iconic film performances.
Please listen to two versions of the song. The first with Frank Sinatra , the second by Judy Garland.
Both singers approach the song with restraint demonstrating the deeply felt emotional commitment of Arlen and Harburg. I remember hearing the Sinatra version on my tiny radio more than 50 years ago.( on radio station CHML where Gordie Tapp, of HEE HAWfame played only the best of the Great American Songbook. I still have vivid recollections upon hearing the song as it washed over me not that I would have grasped the fundamental import of the lyrics. When both song writers and performers are in complete understanding of what will transform a musical creation, then we are lucky to have moments like these.
NOTE: Sam Arlen, Harold's son and heir, did like this post and confirmed that this song was his Father's favourite. It has been describes as an Art Song in 32 bars
Sinatra Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rUMiCmYWao
Garland Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD1XjfYLKV4
SINATRA LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rUMiCmYWao
GARLAND LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD1XjfYLKV4
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