Anita O'Day - The Ballad of the Sad Young Men [HD]
2,580 views · Published 29 November 2018 · 4:29 · Indexed 22 September 2026
Anita O'Day - The Ballad of the Sad Young Men From the album "All the Sad Young Men" (1962), arranged by Gary McFarland and produced by Creed Taylor. Richard S. Ginell reviewed the reissue of the album for Allmusic and wrote that on the album O'Day was "served with a collection of brilliant, difficult big-band charts, courtesy of a 27-year-old emerging master named Gary McFarland who mixed instrumental voices and tempo changes in querulous, turbulent combinations" and highlighted "You Came a Long Way From St. Louis" as being "enlivened with sprouting shafts of outlaw muted brass and reeds". Ginell wrote that it was "...a tribute to O'Day's abilities that she makes it all sound easy, exhibiting a freedom in phrasing and improvising that is extraordinary even for her". Lyrics: Sing a song of sad young man Glasses full of rye All the news is bad again so Kiss your dreams goodbye All the sad young men Sitting in the bars Knowing neon nights Missing all the stars All the sad young men Drifting through the town Drinking up the night Trying not to drown All the sad young men Singing in the cold Trying to forget That they're growing old All the sad young men Choking on their worth Trying to be brave Running from the truth Autumn turns the leaves to gold Slowly dies the heart Sad young men are growing old That's the cruelest part All the sad young men Seek a certain smile Someone they can hold for a little while Tired little girl does the best she can Trying to be gay for her sad young man While the grimy moon Watches from above All the sad young men Play of making love Misbegotten moon Shine for sad young men Let your gentle light Guide them home tonight All the sad young men Written by and Thomas J. Wolf Jr. Frances Landsman