I tend to get a little over-jingled this time of year so I thought I’d look ahead a bit for this week’s tune, What Are You Doing  New Year’s Eve?, words and music written in 1947 by Frank Loesser.  For the most part, it’s a fairly simple melody, but somehow that unusual first chord change (where the lyrics go “early in the game”) makes the whole thing come off with an enchanting little edge.  (F to E flat 9th for those who care.)

As singer Andrea Marchovicci once pointed out, while the song is often played around New Year’s, it is even more poignant to imagine it, as the lyrics suggest, far from that date, sung by a suitor in springtime, who with the standard mixture of timidity and brashness is hoping for a long-lasting romance. 

In any case, it’s a winning little pitch.  Click above to hear my version.  The lyrics are below.  I’ve included the short, rarely sung verse.

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

Verse:

When the bells all ring

And the horns all blow,

And the couples we know

Are fondly kissing,

Will I be with you,

Or will I be among the missing?

Refrain:

Maybe it’s much too early in the game, 

Ah, but I thought I’d ask you just the same,

What are you doing New Year’s,

New Year’s Eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight,

When it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night,

Welcoming in the New Year,

New Year’s Eve.

Maybe I’m crazy to suppose

I’d ever be the one you chose

Out of the thousand invitations

You’ll receive.

Ah, but in case I stand one little chance,

Here comes the jackpot question in advance,

What are you doing New Year’s,

New Year’s Eve.