That Old Black Magic

"(I Love You) for Sentimental Reasons" is a popular song that was written by Ivory “Deek” Watson, founding member of The Ink Spots and The Brown Dots, and William “Pat” Best, founding member of The Four Tunes. A popular version of the song was recorded in 1947 by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald & The Delta Rhythm Boys.

“I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover” is a song from 1927 written by Mort Dixon and Harry M. Woods. The song became a success that year with recordings by Nick Lucas, Ben Bernie, and Jean Goldkette. The song was revived during 1948 with some notable recordings such as one by the American radio personality and television actor Arthur Godfrey. In modern times, the song is most associated with Merrie Melodies cartoons, as it was used in several of them.

“I’ll Be Seeing You” is a popular song about missing someone you love. It was written by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal. In 1938, it was included in the Broadway musical “Right This Way” and in 1944 in the film of the same name. The recording by the American singer and actor Bing Crosby became a nostalgic wartime hit and rose to number one on the hit parade.

“I’ll Never Smile Again” is a 1939 song that became popular as a 1940 Billboard chart-topper by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra. It was written by Ruth Lowe and became a jazz and pop standard. The most popular version was Dorsey’s with vocals by the American singer and actor Frank Sinatra. The version went to number one on Billboard’s first National List of Best-Selling Retail Records. Sinatra performed the song in the 1941 musical “Las Vegas Nights”.

“Only Forever” is a song that was popularized in 1940 by the American singer and actor Bing Crosby. It reached the number one position on the Billboard charts. The song was written by James V. Monaco and Johnny Burke. It was meant for the 1940 Crosby film “If I Had My Way” but was used for his next film “Rhythm on the River”.

“Maria Elena” is a popular song first written in 1032 by Lorenzo Barcelata with Spanish words and music and English lyrics by Bob Russell.  "María Elena" was quite popular in the 1940s, especially as a number one hit for the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra featuring Bob Eberly on vocals. The song's appeal extended beyond its initial release, influencing various musical styles over the decades. American singer Nat King Cole recorded "Maria Elena" in 1958.

“Sentimental Journey” is a popular song that was originally performed by the American singer and actress Doris Day in 1944. It was written by Bud Green, Les Brown, and Ben Homer. The song became Day’s first number one hit in 1945, charting on the Billboard chart. The release of the song coincided with the end of WW II in Europe and became the unofficial homecoming theme for many veterans.

“Sunday, Monday or Always” is a 1943 popular song written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. The most popular version was recorded by the American singer and actor Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers and was featured in his film “Dixie”.

"That Old Black Magic" is a 1942 popular song that was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. It was written for the 1942 film “Star Spangled Rhythm,” where it was first sung by Johnny Johnston and danced by Vera Zorina. The American bandleader and composer Glen Miller went to number one with his version of the song in 1943, featuring the vocals of Skip Nelson. American actress Marilyn Monroe famously sang this song in her 1956 film “Bus Stop”.