I've really enjoyed doing my first "theme week". I don't think I'll do them all that often, but I will revisit this idea with a new theme sometime in the near future. I've hardly begun to explore the world of the American popular standard this week. Seven great songs, lots of different genres and eras represented in the versions I chose, but there still a lot left to explore.
I'm ending the week with my all time favorite song, All of Me. It was written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons in 1931. Ruth Etting was the first to record it, and it has been recorded by a who's who of standards singers. It has received the usual instrumental treatment as well.
Like many standards I love, I came to love this one from hearing Willie Nelson play it. It was a hit single from his 1978 album Stardust. It has also been a staple of his live set:
Californian punk band NOFX recorded All of Me for a seven inch in 1996:
Jackie Lynton did a rather raw early rock and roll rendition in 1962:
There have been a few ska versions as well, including this one from French instrumental ska band Western Special:
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