The Friday Cocktail Hour began as a place for torch songs, the sadder the better. I’ve expanded that remit to bring a bit of joy into our lives as the pandemic slowly recedes. This week’s song is particularly joyful.

For the second consecutive week, we feature the work of Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. They wrote it for the 1933 movie of the same name. That would be Let’s Fall In Love. It’s an old movie I’ve never seen. There has to be at least one, right?

We begin with the first version I ever heard. It comes from one of my all-time favorite albums recorded by two sweet and noble souls.

Anita O’Day brings some sultry Irish soul to a song written by two Jewish guys.

After two stripped down interpretations, Nat King Cole and Nelson Riddle bring a full orchestra to bear:

Are you ready to swing with Dinah Washington? Good. You have no choice.

The self-proclaimed sweethearts of soul, Peaches & Herb, put their sweet and soulful brand on Let’s Fall In Love in 1967.

Diana Krall is a peach. It’s unclear if she’s an herb as well.

What’s the Friday Cocktail Hour without jazz instrumental versions of the week’s song? This time two duos: Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges followed by Oscar Peterson and Stephane Grappelli.

Don’t believe the label on the video: Oscar is sitting in. Have I mentioned lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?

That’s it for this week. If you’re feeling blue, drown your sorrows with a cocktail or three. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Frank would want. Never argue with them.