It’s an early Friday Cocktail Hour. Everyone following the melodrama on Twitter needs a belt before 5 O’clock.

Why is Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret in the featured image? The most Margaret-centric episode of the current season of The Crown features the song, Stardust. That’s why. Besides, I’m a fan of Lesley Manville’s work with director Mike Leigh as well as her recent series Sherwood and Magpie Murders. Satisfied?

Hoagy Carmichael composed the music for Stardust in 1927. Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1929. It’s one of the most recorded songs in musical history at over 1500 and counting.

We begin at the beginning with Hoagy Carmichael’s 1928 instrumental recording of Stardust followed by a later version that could be called Hoagy Sings.

Many consider Nat King Cole’s 1957 recording with arranger Gordon Jenkins the definitive version of Stardust. I’m not sure of that but it was a hit for King Cole.

Keely Smith. Nelson Riddle. Say no more.

Frank Sinatra gave Stardust a full-blown orchestral treatment in 1962.

Here’s Ella Fitzgerald live with a small group.

Willie Nelson returned Stardust to the charts in 1978.

What’s a Friday Cocktail Hour without jazz instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time an Oscar Peterson double header. First Oscar with Lionel Hampton followed by Oscar with Lester Young

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?

That’s it for this week. Let’s raise a glass and toast the enduring classic featured this week: Stardust. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Hoagy would want. Never argue with the cast of To Have and to Have Not.