Grandmother Sadie Vimmerstedt wrote a letter to the great Johnny Mercer saying she had come up with an idea for a song. She states her outrage when Frank Sinatra left his wife for Ava Gardner and was delighted when Ava gave Frankie boy his just desserts by leaving him. She wrote 'one line' which was … I want to be around to pick up the pieces when somebody breaks your heart … She addressed the envelope to Johnny Mercer - Songwriter - New York After a couple of drop offs, it found its way to Mercer. He wrote the music and lyrics for 'I wanna be around' and Tony Bennett recorded it. Mercer wrote to Sadie stating he would give her composer credit and 50 percent of royalties. Her first royalty check was for £50,000 Wow - what a great story !
What a cool story!!! That was like winning the lottery. I wonder if she ever ended up meeting Frank???
Hi, Bess, Yes Eydie was superb, she did the girls best version of that song and Tony did the mens best version, I love them both, and they both feature in Bob's Parlour
Ha ha - I'd have give him a big kiss for the inspiration and then slapped his face Johnny Mercer was more than generous for one line - a lucky lady and a great song
"This time he almost made a song of it...... didn't he, some say he almost crucified, it a bit.......... didn't he, this time he almost sang a song in tune, that's why we're all heading for the moon, now lunar folk are going looney, listening to his tuneee..................... this time" Hmmmm......I'll get my coat...