Sinatra sings " It;s Only a Paper Moon."  Harold Arlen  wrote this song in 1932 with lyrics by .Y.Harburg and Billy Rose. It was written for a failed Broadway show " The Great Magoo." It was a big hit later on for Nat Cole and his trio.
Frank Sinatra  provides a very jazzy performance improvising both music and words in a way that Arlen hinself would have approved. Harold would often sing and play his own songs in a freer improvised manner not just playing the notes as written. After all, he started playing in Buffalo area jazz joints as a teenage, high school drop out.

 https://youtu.be/yecohwTQzQY

Lena Horne asks " I Wonder What Became Of Me "  This is a song wondering what one's life has all been amount.No specific answer is provided by composer Harold Arlen and lyricist Johnny Mercer for the musical St. Louis Woman. It concludes with "  For along the way, Something went astray And I can't explain ,it's the same champagne & It's sad to see But I wonder what became of me." It's more about the journey than a specific summation of a life well lived.


https://youtu.be/j0WrgKeZgag

Man for Sale:  A brutal reminder of the horrors of a slavery auction in which the strong virtues of the slave are stated in order to get the highest price. From Harold Arlens' Bloomer Girl set during he civil war. The song was writen by Arlen and he sang it on the cast recording.He was one of he few composers who could effectively sing their own songs. Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer were also able to perform their own material .

 https://youtu.be/73nugts2kvo

\The Eagle and Me  A  strong cry for freedom  as created for a Harold Arlen/E.Y.Harburg musical called Bloomer Girl. Set in a time during the US Civil War, it is an anthem for equality, promised but still never delivered .  Sung by Lena Horne, a long time equal rights advocate,the song  makes a case for people ,like the Eagle," got to feel free."


https://youtu.be/kw3VTF7s-aE

Hit the Road to Dreamland & Come Rain or Come Shine. Two songs by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The first is from a 1944 movie. The second from the musical St. Louis Woman. Dreamland uses very hip language like " Dig You In The Land Of Nod". Come Rain or Come Shine is filled with a fervent pledge of commitment no matter what trouble may come along. These songs, quite different in tone and style, illustrate the great versatility of both Arlen and Mercer.

Nancy Lamott is a favourite NYC cabaret singer.

 https://youtu.be/qm7lsn0PoJ0

Harold Arlen Plays and Sings with Frank Sinatra  Not only has Arlen written so many iconic songs, here he proves that he is an excellent interpreter of his songs and captures the blues inflected character inherent in many of his songs. This is a clip from a TV show with Eddy Cantor, Sinatra and Connie Russell, the featured female singer.

https://youtu.be/eDxCYbayNAs