Ok, so not all holiday songs are about Christmas. Here we find a wonderful deep-depression cut from Cab Calloway extolling the “Harlem Holiday” a hopeful vision of good times during the Great Depression.
Written by songwriters Ted Koehler and Harold Arlen, the song features an infectious trombone riff that will worm its way into your ear for hours.
Lyrics
There’ll be bands everywhere – going to town
There’ll be flames in the air – flying all around
The browns’ll be there – laying ’em down
Every day will be a Harlem Holiday
No more work, only play – sleep when you choose
you get paid anyway – now tell me – ain’t that news?
Every song will be gay – no where we blue
Every day will be a Harlem Holiday
When the whole world’s down
and the times look blue
You’ll be high up on Lennox Avenue
There’ll be gals on the make – gin will be free
If you don’t get a break – don’t blame me
Every spot that you got will be hotter than hot
Every day will be a Harlem Holiday
Recorded in New York City on November 9, 1932.
Released as Brunswick 6424.
Credits:
Cab Calloway – vocals, director
Edwin Swayzee, Lammar Wright, Doc Cheatham – trumpet
De Priest Wheeler, Harry White – trombone
Arville Harris – clarinet, alto sax
Andrew Brown – bass clarinet, tenor sax
Walter Thomas – alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax
Eddie Barefield – clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax
Bennie Payne – piano
Morris White – banjo
Al Morgan – string bass
Leroy Maxey – drums
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