Polka Dots and Moonbeams explained

"Polka Dots and Moonbeams" is a popular song with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke, published in 1940.

First recorded and released under Victor Records by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, it became vocalist Frank Sinatra's first hit song. Sinatra went on to record many more of Van Heusen's songs throughout his career.^[1]

The song's release coincided with a rise in popularity of the fabric in American fashion—in the 1940s, polka dot patterns were having a "second heyday" as a symbol of patriotism amidst World War II.^[2]

Recordings

The song is one of the top 100 most-frequently recorded jazz standards.^[3] Notable recordings include:

• Lester Young with his quartet in 1952^[4]
• Bud Powell on his 1954 album The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 2^[5]
• Mel Tormé on his 1955 album It's a Blue World^[6]
• Sarah Vaughan for the 1957 album Swingin' Easy^[7]
• Chet Baker on his 1958 album Chet Baker in New York^[8]
• Connie Stevens on her 1958, debut album Conchetta^[9]
• Wes Montgomery on his 1960 album The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery^[10]
• Lou Donaldson on his 1962 Gravy Train^[11]
• The Bill Evans Trio on their 1962 album Moon Beams^[12]
• Blue Mitchell in 1967^[13]
• Dexter Gordon and Gene Ammons on their 1970 album, The Chase!^[14]
• John Denver covered the song on his 1976 album Spirit. ^[15]
• Gerry Mulligan on the 2006 album California Concerts.^[16]
• Bob Dylan covered this song for his 2016 album Fallen Angels^[17]

Other uses

Doja Cat's 2018 single Mooo! sampled Wes Mongomery's recording of the song.^[18]

Notes and References

1. News: Chilla . Mark . Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Van Heusen . 2024-10-30 . Afterglow . . en.
2. Book: Stewart, Jude . Patternalia: An Unconventional History of Polka Dots, Stripes, Plaid, Camouflage, & Other Graphic Patterns . . 2015 . 978-1-63286-108-5 . First . New York ; London . 25 . en.
3. Web site: Polka Dots and Moonbeams (1940) . 2024-10-30 . jazzstandards.com . Blog.
4. Web site: Lester Young Quartet – Polka Dots And Moonbeams / Up 'N Adam. Discogs. August 12, 2024.
5. Web site: The Amazing Bud Powell Vol. 2 . August 12, 2024 . AllMusic.
6. Web site: It's a Blue World. www.allmusic.com. August 8, 2024.
7. Web site: Swingin' Easy. www.allmusic.com. August 9, 2024.
8. Web site: In New York. www.allmusic.com. August 10, 2024.
9. Web site: Conchetta. allmusic.com. August 13, 2024.
10. Web site: The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery. www.allmusic.com. August 11, 2024.
11. Web site: Gravy Train. www.allmusic.com. August 12, 2024.
12. Web site: Moon Beams. Discogs. August 9, 2024.
13. News: Gregg . Dave . May 21, 1967 . Off the record . . Showtime (magazine section) . Joplin, MO . 9 . Music review column . ... Blue can play with tenderness without slopping over into mawkish sentimentality. Just listen to his treatment of the gorgeous ballad, 'Polka Dots and Moonbeams.'. .
14. Web site: The Chase!. www.allmusic.com. August 11, 2024.
15. Web site: Spirit. www.allmusic.com. August 10, 2024.
16. Web site: California Concerts. www.allmusic.com. August 12, 2024.
17. Web site: Fallen Angels. www.allmusic.com. August 9, 2024.
18. Dickson . Ej . 2021-12-16 . Doja Cat DGAF If You Read This* . 2024-10-30 . . en-US.