Detour Ahead - Ella Fitzgerald Here are the lyrics: Smooth road, clear day But why am I the only one travelin' this way? How strange the road to love should be so easy Can't you see the detour ahead? Wake up, slow down Before you crash and break your heart, gullable clown You fool, you're headed in the wrong direction Can't you see the detour ahead? The further you travel, the harder to unravel the web she spins around you Turn back while there's time, don't you see the danger sign Soft shoulders surround you Smooth road, clear night Oh lucky me that suddenly I saw the light I'm turning back away from all that sorrow Smooth road, clear day No detour ahead
JIMMY WALKER & Paul Westmoreland - Detour (1945) The Original "Detour" has been recorded by countless stars, from Pop (Patti Page, Duane Eddy, etc.), Country (Hank Thompson, Elton Britt, etc.), and Western (Spade Cooley, Devon Dawson, etc.) ... but until now it's doubtful you've ever heard the original release. JImmy Walker is even accompanied by the man who wrote the song, "Okie" Paul Westmoreland (and His Pecos River Boys). Coincidentally, the film of the same title (see image) also came out in 1945. Is there a connection there that we don't yet know about? Coast 2016 came out in Dec. 1945."
Bill Evans Detour Ahead 1965 "Detour Ahead" is a jazz standard with words and music credited to Herb Ellis, John Frigo, and Lou Carter. The song was written in 1947 while Carter, Ellis and Frigo were part of The Soft Winds, a group they created after leaving Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestra." "While officially credited to Carter, Frigo, and Ellis, there is no agreement in whether all three composed the song. The original lyrics compare love’s progress to a motor trip – the perfect metaphor in 1950s America."
Growing up, I remember a TV show "Your Hit Parade", with Snooky Lanson, Gisele Mackenzie, and Russell Arms. They would sing the Hits of the week, counting down. Each song would have an accompanying corny skit. I remember "Detour Ahead" from that show. Snooky Lanson ,Gisele Mackenzie & Russell Arms