"They Didn't Believe Me"-Jerome Kern Breakthrough: Jerome Kern is generally regarded as the composer who led American popular song away from its European/Viennese operetta roots. It was something more genuinely reflecting what Alec Wilder thought was " More American -sounding songs like being heard in vaudeville, music halls and on records....and the new music growing out of ragtime." Kern had deep roots in English musical comedy roots having started his professional theater career in London in 1902. In 1914, in " The Girl From Utah" , he introduced They Didn't Believe Me" , a song quite different from what he had earlier written. Wilder commented that " The melodic line is as natural as walking and It is evocative, tender, strong,shapely.' " I can't conceive how the alteration of a single note could do nothing other than harm the song." His comments reflect what he maintained as a key criterion in establishing what was excellent and innovative in American popular song writing, namely the importance of " the singing line." Although Kern's later works like " All The Things You Are" were harmonically quite sophisticated and advanced, his reputation was firmly based on his supreme melodic gifts, something Stephan Sondheim has also confirmed in television interviews. Kern was now embarked on a new American influenced musical direction that led to what is generally called The Great American Songbook or Classic American Popular Song.
The version offered here is sung by Margaret Whiting. an excellent ballad singer who had a particular relationship with Jerome Kern. Her father, Richard Whiting, was a fine composer and friends with Jerome Kern who urged young Margaret to call him " Uncle Jerry." He would often play his latest songs for her asking for her reaction which was always positive.
Her smooth, unforced singing fits perfectly with the effortless melody created by Kern with lyrics by Herbert Reynolds.
LINK: http://youtu.be/McCRXL91B0w
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