DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #58: Yes, My Darling Daughter

Kyle Smith held that talk “This Music Sucks” at The Experiment and of course we were discussing about Glenn Miller. Many people think that his swing music is too romantic, too cheesy, too boring, whatsoever.

You know what? It’s totally true! But there is a flip side of Glenn Miller’s music. Kyle and I agree with each other that he recorded some awesome really hard swinging tracks, absolutely great music!

Here is my proof, a tune which I play quite regularly for dancers: Yes, My Darling Daughter from 1940.

This is what I’ve found about the origin of the song on Wikipedia:

Yes, My Darling Daughter is a song by Jack Lawrence and is based on a Ukrainian folk-song “Oj ne khody Hrytsju”, often ascribed to the Ukrainian songstress Marusia Churai. It first appeared in the 1812 vaudeville “The Cossack-Poet” by Catterino Cavos. This melody is unknown before Cavos, and is suggested that it was written by him. [...]

What I like about this song

pumping, forward driving rhythm section
the choir of musicians who respond to Marion Hutton’s vocals
change of the energy level after the second sax solo at 1:54, only to push up again to a fulminant ending. WOW!

Title: Yes, My Darling Daughter
Artist: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra feat. Marion Hutton
Released: 1940
Album: The Complete Glenn Miller
Tempo: 203 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop