"There'll Be Some Changes Made" ("Changes") is a popular song by Benton Overstreet (composer) and Billy Higgins [1][2][a] (lyricist). Published in 1921, the song has flourished in several genres, particularly jazz. The song has endured for as many years as a jazz standard.[3] According to the online The Jazz Discography (an index of jazz-only recordings), "Changes" had been recorded 404 times as of May 2018.[4] The song and its record debut were revolutionary, in that the songwriters (Overstreet and Higgins, the original copyright publisher, Harry Herbert Pace, the vocalist to first record it (Ethel Waters), the owners of Black Swan (the record label), the opera singer (Elizabeth Greenfield) for whom the label was named, and the musicians on the recording led by Fletcher Henderson, were all African American. The production is identified by historians as a notable part of the Harlem Renaissance.[5]
"There'll Be Some Changes Made" | |
---|---|
Song | |
Language | English |
Published | 1921 Harry H. Pace 1924 Edward B. Marks Music Corporation |
Songwriter(s) | Composer: Benton Overstreet Lyricist: Billy Higgins |
The debut recording with Ethel Waters was recorded on Black Swan Records (1921) and rapidly became a hit. Her rendition features the rarely-heard 6-bar instrumental intro,[b] followed by her singing the 1st verse (16 bars, plus 1), then her singing the 1st chorus (16 bars, plus 2), then instruments playing 8, plus 2 bars of the chorus, finishing with her singing the 1st chorus (16 bars, plus 2).
Variety magazine, in a fifty-year commemorative issue, included Ethel Waters' recording in its "Hit Parade of a Half-Century (1905–1955)" list for 1923.[6] A 1924 recording by Marion Harris (Brunswick 2651) helped establish it as a standard.[7] Other artists with notable recordings during the 1920s include Josie Miles (Ajax 17087; 1924), Sophie Tucker (Okeh 40921; 1927), and the Chicago Rhythm Kings (Red McKenzie, vocalist; Brunswick 4001; 1928). In jazz discography, which does not include the recordings of Marion Harris or Sophie Tucker, there were 11 recordings of the song during the 1920s.[4]
Standout recordings from the 1930s include Fats Waller (Bluebird B10322; 1935), Pee Wee Russell's Rhythmakers (HRS (de) 1000; 1938), and Benny Goodman and His Orchestra[8] (Louise Tobin, vocalist, Fletcher Henderson arrangement; Columbia 35210; 1939). In jazz discography, there were 17 recordings of the song during the 1930s, including double takes by (i) Benny Carter and His Swing Quintet (Masters of Jazz (F)MJCD95 CD & Vocalion S46), (ii) Pee Wee Russell's Rhythmakers (both takes on HRS 1001; 1938), (iii) Benny Goodman And His Orchestra (Columbia 35210 & Phontastic (Swd)NOST7606; 1939), and (iv) Eddie Condon And His Chicagoans (Decca 18041 & Meritt 11; 1939).[4]
1941 was not a good year for newly published popular music due to the ASCAP strike. According to a January 31, 1942, Billboard article, ASCAP members claimed only 2 of the top 13 sellers in sheet music. Five of the remaining 11 were revivals, one of which was "There'll Be Some Changes Made."[9] The 1941 film, Play Girl, gave new life to the song. In 1941, Benny Goodman's 1939 version became a Billboard No. 1 Hit for 4 weeks (during April and May) and peaked at No. 2 on Your Hit Parade. In 1961, BMI published a list, "All-Time Hit Songs, Broadcast Music, Inc., 1940–1960," in Billboard. "There'll Be Some Changes Made" was among the 17 songs listed for 1947.[10] In jazz discography, there were 60 recordings of the song during the 1940s.[4]
Notable recordings from the 1940s include Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra (Marilyn Duke, vocalist; Bluebird B-11025-A; 1941), the Hoosier Hot Shots (Okeh 6114; 1941) and Peggy Lee (Capitol 15001; 1947).
In early 1959, Billie Holiday did three sessions with Ray Ellis and orchestra for MGM Records in New York: March 3, 4, and 11. She recorded "Changes" in the final session. That session turned out to be the last studio session of her life. She died 4 months and 6 days later — on July 17.[11] The album — released under various titles, notably, Last Recording (MGM SE-3764; 1959) — was posthumously released.
In jazz discography, there were 42 recordings of "Changes" during the 1950s.[4]
Notable artists who recorded "Changes" include Ann-Margret on her 1962 album The Vivacious One, Jaki Byard (Muse 5007; 1972), Tony Bennett (Improv 7112; 1973–1977) and Fox Face (Dirtnap Records ZZZ-163; 2021)
In 2004, Tony Bennett sang that song again at the Montreux Jazz Festival with the Phil Collins Big Band accompanied by pianist Ralph Sharon and double bassist Douglas Richeson, and that event can be heard on Collins's 4 CD box set Plays Well with Others published in 2018.
Outside of jazz, in western swing, Bob Wills recorded it in 1937 (Vocalion DAL 244-1). In country music, Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler recorded — on their 1990 Grammy award winning album Neck and Neck — a parody version that references the Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing" ...
Money for nothin' and chicks for free
Feature films
Shorts
Edward B. Marks Corporation was the publisher of "There'll Be Some Changes Made." The sheet music cover design, artwork by Irving Politzer (1898–1972), featured portraits of performers who had recorded the song. Those appearing on covers include Marion Harris, Ruth Etting, and Benny Goodman.
Some sheet music covers, even 1st editions, included the subtitle, in parentheses, "Philosophic Blues."
Liner notes: Dan Morgenstern
1940: November 11
1941: May 7, July 26–27, September 16
Minton's, Harlem
Re-issued: HighNote HCD 7030 (CD) (1998); OCLC 41634272
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