1920-1930

"Look for the Silver Lining" from Sally (1920), written by DeSylva and Kern is one I don't hear often but love to run across. It is set so nicely for the voice to glide through. The melody lulls you around and for whatever reason the text always gives me a glimmer of hope

Refrain
"Look for the silver lining
When e'er a cloud appears in the sky
Remember somewhere the sun is shining
and so the right thing to do is make it shine for you.

A heart, full of joy and gladness
Will always banish sadness and strife
So always look for the silver lining
And try to find the sunny side of life"

A bunch of Standards....
I'm sure everyone has run across "I'll Build A Stairway to Paradise" from George White's Scandals (Gershwin & Gershwin). its one of those standards you should just probably know. I didn't realize I knew this next tune until I read through it - Hart & Rodger's "Manhattan" from Garrack Gaieties. Written back in 1925, there was definitely a swing influence there. I feel like it is a good one to have in your back pocket. If you are a soprano and have not learned "Someone To Watch Over Me" from Gershwin's Oh, Kay! please go learn it now. It can be one of the most over done auditions songs in the history of musical theater BUT everyone expects you to know it and to sing it in both the key of C and in E flat, so you might as well get started! And if you are a Bass, take a look at Hammerstein & Kern's "Ol' Man River" from Showboat. It is a beautiful tune and the beginning, rarely known, has great insight into life in the 1920's.