Tag: Abel Baer

Sweet nothings, tenderly crooned

cladriteLeave a comment

Though the greatest pleasure we take from the wonderful music we share with you on Cladrite Radio stems from the memorable melodies and toe-tapping rhythms, we also revel in the romantic imagery and well-turned phrases found in the lyrics of the day.

The lyrics Samuel M. Lewis wrote to accompany Abel Baer’s lovely melody in their 1934 song “Am I to Blame?” recently gave us reason to smile. They’re pleasing on the page, but when sung, they really come to life.

Am I to Blame?
Am I to blame for worshipping you
After so many goodbyes?
If I’m to blame for worshipping you,
Why was I born with two eyes?

Am I to blame for clinging to you,
Begging to share all your charms?
If I’m to blame for clinging to you,
Why was I born with two arms?

Sighing, sighing brings regret;
Every day is like the day before.
Trying, trying to forget
Only makes me want you more.

So am I to blame for loving you, dear?
I’m only playing my part.
If I’m to blame for loving you, dear,
Why was I born with a heart?

Lyrics by Sam M. Lewis/music by Abel Baer

“Am I to Blame?” was recorded by artists such as Ruth Etting, Greta Keller, and Victor Young and His Orchestra, but we’re offering Hal Kemp and His Orchestra‘s take on the song. Bob Allen handles the vocals.

Hal Kemp and His Orchestra, feat. Bob Allen—“Am I to Blame?”

Everything old is new again

cladriteLeave a comment

Well, the tough times that have been making it rough for so many for so long have touched Cladrite Radio, too: We got the go-by (perhaps “bye-bye” is more apt) from our employer of nearly eight years. It wasn’t a firing, they assured us. Our work remained stellar, or so they insisted. It was, instead, a down-sizing. In short, they eliminated our position altogether.

So it struck us as fitting when, just a day or two later, we came across a 1933 recording by Gene Kardos and His Orchestra of Abel Baer and Sam M. Lewis’ “If I Ever Get a Job Again.”

The perky tune pepped us up just a smidge, and the words struck us as being just as appropriate today as when they were written, nearly eighty years ago.

Give a listen, and see what you think.

Gene Kardos and His Orchestra, feat. Dick Robertson — “If I Ever Get a Job Again”

If I ever get a job again,
I will never be a snob again.
I’ll live within my means,
Carry a dollar in my jeans
If I ever get a job again.

If I ever get a break again,
Brother, what I’ll do to stake again.
No turning out the light,
Bidding my appetite good night
If I ever get a break again.

I’ll get two rooms and a kitchenette,
Furnished comfortably.
With two rooms and a kitchenette,
I’ll get a sweet somebody to move in with me.

If I ever get a job again,
I know that two hearts’ll throb again.
She told me with her eyes,
We’ll be rehearsing lullabyes
If I ever get a job again.

If I ever get a job again,
I will never be a snob again.
I’m through with stocks and bonds,
I’d rather spend it all on blondes
If I ever get a job again.

If I ever get my pay again,
I’ll save it for a rainy day again.
But let me tell you, bud,
I’m gonna save up for a flood
If I ever get my pay again.

I’ll get two suits and an overcoat,
Like a millionaire.
Just two suits and an overcoat,
And then when things get better,
I’ll buy underwear.

If I ever get a job again,
With my old friends I’ll hobnob again.
What great fun it will be,
Saying, “Just have one more on me,”
If I ever get a job again.

—Abel Baer (music); Sam M. Lewis (lyrics)

P.S. If you know of a job opening that might suit us, get in touch!