4/5/1930: Ted Lewis charts with "On the Sunny Side of the Street"
image from viersaxen.nl
Ted Lewis "On the Sunny Side of the Street"
Writer(s): Jimmy McHugh/ Dorothy Fields (see lyrics here)
First charted: 4/5/1930
Peak: 2 US, 12 GA (Click for codes to singles charts.)
Sales (in millions): --
Radio Airplay (in millions): -- Video Airplay (in millions): --
Review: This "cabaret and jazz standard" JA-152 and "metaphor for optimism" TY-56 was credited to composer Jimmy McHugh and lyricist Dorothy Fields although there have been claims that Fats Waller actually composed the song, but sold the rights. WK
In his book American Popular Song, author Alec Wilder calls the song "one of the jazz musicians' favorites…Singers, as well, love it as much for its extremely fine lyric." SB In The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Popular Standards, Max Morath expresses a similar sentiment, saying the song "works both sides of the street, vocal and instrumental, with equal charm. Dorothy Field's sassy lyrics ('…leave your worries on your doorstep…') invite singers to go for it." MM-178