February 15th is Walter Donaldson’s birthday. You’ve probably never heard his name before, but I guarantee you’ve heard one of his songs. Donaldson was part of the golden age of American songwriting in the first half of the last century, and during his 50-odd years on the planet his supposedly composed and published over 600 songs, including some huge hits like “My Baby Cares Just for Me”, “Makin’ Whoopee”, and my personal favourite “My Blue Heaven”. This song has become a standard, and has been covered by people like Sinatra, Doris Day, and even rocker-types like Jerry Lee Lewis.
Walter Donaldson was born on February 15th, 1893. One of my favourite pieces of music is “My Blue Heaven” as sung by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins.
M’God, how can the Smashing Pumpkins version of My Blue Heaven e-v-e-r be your favourite of a great smashing song. . .Find Mitch Miller’s version, I implore thee.