Moanin' Low

Moanin' Low is a popular torch song. The music was written by Ralph Rainger; the lyrics by Howard Dietz. The song was published in 1929 and was introduced that same year in the musical revue The Little Show by Libby Holman becoming a hit^[1] and Holman's signature song. A recording by The Charleston Chasers (vocal by Eva Taylor) was also popular in 1929.^[2]

Since its publication, the song has become a popular jazz standard.

Selected recordings

• Annette Hanshaw - recorded on August 29, 1929 for Okeh Records (catalog No. 41292).^[3]
• Billie Holiday recorded her version of the song on March 31, 1937 with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra for Brunswick Records (catalog No. 7877).^[4]
• Lena Horne - recorded on December 17, 1941 for Victor Records (catalog No. 27817A).^[5]
• Harry James recorded a version in 1951 (released in 1952) on Columbia 39678.^[6]
• Ella Fitzgerald - recorded on December 31, 1953 for Decca Records (catalog No 29475).^[7]
• Dinah Shore - included in the album Bouquet of Blues (1956).^[8]
• Johnny Mathis - for his album The Rhythms and Ballads of Broadway (1960)^[9]
• Barbra Streisand recorded her version of the song in 1975 in her album Lazy Afternoon,^[10] arranged and conducted by Rupert Holmes.

Film appearances

• In the Humphrey Bogart-Lauren Bacall film, Key Largo, Claire Trevor gave a memorable rendition of the song in a role that won her the 1948 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
• Annette Hanshaw's 1929 version was used in the animated film Sita Sings the Blues.
• In the 1950 Kirk Douglas-Lauren Bacall film, Young Man With A Horn, it appears repeatedly in instrumental form.

See also

• List of 1920s jazz standards