The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents

Last Night When We Were Young

Air Date: 9/28/2025 on 90.5 WICN 9am-12pm ET
 
This is a song written in 1935 with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Yip Harburg. It was intended for the 1935 movie Metropolitan but  never used, although an instrumental version is played during the end credits.
 
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I cannot get the melody of this song out of my head! I was looking through a jazz fake book (a book of songs with the melody and harmony written out) and I happened upon this song. Playing the melody on guitar, I recognized it but couldn't remember where I had heard it. 

Then it came to me: It is on one of my favorite jazz albums with strings, Alan Broadbent's Every Time I Think of You from 2006. There I found the melody with the wonderful strings providing the harmony. 

Of course, this is an instrumental piece. So let's check out the lyrics to this interesting ballad.

Last night when we were young
Love was a star, a song unsung
Life was so new, so real, so right
Ages ago last night

Today the world is old
You flew away and time grew cold
Where is that star that seems so bright?
Ages ago last night

To think that spring had depended
On merely this: a look, a kiss
To think that something so splendid
Could slip away in one little daybreak

So now let's reminisce
And recollect the sighs and the kisses
The arms that clung
When we were young last night

It is a story about longing and regret, about the passage of time, about love, the loss of youth, and memories.  I find it very touching when sung, especially by a vocalist such as Judy Garland, above (1964).

Lyricist Yip Harburg had lost his wife, his business, and his father, and used the emotions of these circumstances to fuel the song's pathos. 

Alec Wilder, who wrote many beloved popular songs like Blackberry Winter, Who Can I Turn To, and Moon and Sand, described Last Night When We Were Young as "a most remarkable and beautiful song... [that] goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music." 

On the next edition of the Sunday Jazz Brunch I will play three versions of the song, by Tierney Sutton, Tony Bennett, and, of course, Alan Broadbent plus strings.

Tune in around 9:30 am ET to hear three great versions of this gorgeous song.

Best,

Marty

HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning

Brad Mehldau-Elegiac Cycle 1999-02 Resignation
Franck Amsallem\The Summer Knows 2025\The Summer Knows 
Michael Mayo\Fly 2025\Just Friends

Michael Dease-Nevermore Here-03 Slow Dance 2019
Roberto Magris\Shuffling Ivories Cd - Roberto Magris & Eric Hochberg\Italy
Peter Campbell-Loving You-04 There's No You 2017
T. K. Blue-Planet Bluu 2024-05 Sky Bluu Part 1

Tierney Sutton-Dancing In The Dark-10 Last Night When We Were Young 2004
Alan Broadbent-Every Time I Think of You-05 Last Night When We Were Young 2006
Tony Bennett-Perfectly Frank-18 Last Night When We Were Young 1992
Adam Glaser Trio-Wide Awake-02 November-2020

HOUR TWO: New For You

Michael Mayo\Fly 2025It Could Happen to You
Franck Amsallem\The Summer Knows 2025\Unforgettable
Carmen Bradford\Carmen Sings Carmen 2025\I Didn't Know What Time it Was feat Compass Big Band
Christian McBride\Big Band - Without Further Ado 2025\Old Folks feat Samara Joy v.

Jamile with Miki Yamanaka\Pursuit of a Pulse 2025\006 Come With Me to the River
Milan Verbist Trio\Time Change 2025\Time Change
Eric Jacobson\Heading-Home 2024\Sunset Suite
George Cables-Too Close for Comfort 2021-10 A Valentine for You

Steve Alle Big Band\Naptown Sound 2025\Steve Alle Big Band\Naptown Sound 2025\Wes at the Turf feat Dave Stryker g.
Brad Mehldau\Ride Into the Sun 2025\Sunday
Carmen Bradford\Carmen Sings Carmen 2025\In Walked Bud
Peter Campbell\Haunted Melody 2025\My Mood is You

HOUR THREE: Brazil/World/Groove

Jamile with Miki Yamanaka\Pursuit of a Pulse 2025\Passarinhadeira
Jazz Funk Soul-Simpatico 2025-03 Janyce
Ithamara Koorax\IK(Eumir Deodato)Spirit of Summer, single
Michael Mayo\Fly 2025\Giant Steps

Flora Purim-Perpetual Emotion-04 Saudade 2001
Paul Brown-So Much To Say 2025-08 Let's Bounce
Mafalda Minnozzi\Riofonic 2025\005 Eu E A Brisa
Claudio Roditi-Double Standards-05 Minha Saudade 1997

Thom Rotella-Side Hustle 2025-10 On A Misty Night
Tania Maria-Tempo-07 Bronzes E Cristais 2011
Steve Million\JazzWords 2021\The Way Home feat Sarah Marie Young
William Woods-The Hear and Now-09 The Hear and Now 2006


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