Performers play a crucial role in the way we understand music. While performers may not write the music that they perform it is only through them that the music truly comes to life. Words have meaning, songs have melody and rhythm; but it is in the way that these different parts are interpreted and performed that gives music its soul and allows it to inspire emotion in those who hear it. To understand how the role of a performer can effect music we’ll be examining the life and music of one of the greatest performers of all time: Frank Sinatra.
History:
Francis Albert Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on December 12,1915 the son of two Sicilian immigrants. Sinatra had always been interested in music but it wasn’t until he saw Bing Crosby perform that he realized he wanted to sing for real. After singing small time for a bit Sinatra made his first group of successes singing with the bands of Harry James, and later Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra went on to achieve a wildly successful solo career in both music and acting, earning such nicknames like “The Sultan of Swoon”. Unfortunately Sinatra’s career suffered a slump in the early 1950’s, but it was quickly revived by his award-winning performance in the film “From Here to Eternity”. Frank Sinatra went on to have a very successful career, eventually founding his own record label (reprise) and film studio (Artanis). Frank Sinatra was married four times over the course of his life to Nancy Barbato (1939-1951), Ava Gardner (1951-1957), Mia Farrow (1966-1968), and Barbara Marx(1976-1998 when he died); he had three children with his first wife named Nancy, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Tina.
Music:
Though Frank Sinatra achieved a very successful film career, it is his for his music that he is most remembered today. Sinatra never learned to read music, but many people who worked with him said that he had a natural instinct for how music worked. Sinatra’s voice has a distinctive smooth and sensual timbre and Nelson Riddle (a well-known arranger who often worked with Sinatra) once said “His voice has a very strident, insistent sound in the top register, a smooth lyrical sound in the middle register, and a very tender sound in the low. His voice is built on infinite taste, with an overall inflection of sex. He points everything he does from a sexual standpoint.” With this in mind, it’s not surprising that many of Frank Sinatra’s songs are about love.
This song is a love song called “Fly Me to the Moon”, it was written by Bart Howard in 1954, and was arranged by Quincy Jones for a recording of Frank Sinatra accompanied by Count Basie. You can easily hear Sinatra’s distinctive, sensual, tone on full display in this love song. While the lyrics and melody are beautifully written, it is Sinatra’s performance that seals the emotion and message of the song.
This song is called “My Way”, the lyrics were written by Paul Anka in 1969 but it was set to the music of a French song called “Comme d’habitude” that was co-composed and co-written with Jacques Revaux in 1967. Unlike the previous song “My Way” is not a love song; instead the lyrics talk of how doing things your own way and taking pride in the decisions you make is important, even if you regret them later. Again while the lyrics have a strong message behind them I believe that it is Sinatra’s insistent, honest tone along with his masterful command of the tempo and dynamics building up to a crescendo and then falling back down again that truly make this song something special.
There is art in writing:whether it is in music, poetry, or lyrics; but it is in the performance that these different facets truly culminate into something special. All the parts may be great, but it takes a great performer presenting them for the art to become something unforgettable. I believe that it is the role of the performer to see something in the music and explain it to their audience through their performance, and few people in history can fulfill this role as well as Frank Sinatra.
Explorations in Music 
First of all, great post. I didn’t know a lot of this information about Frank Sinatra. All of the Sinatra songs I’ve ever heard have great tone as you touched on. His dynamics are also an interesting twist to his music. Unrelated to the true Frank Sinatra, but if you’re in Fairbanks head over to Geraldo’s and get a large Frank Sinatra pizza. They’re amazing, check it out here http://geraldosrestaurant.four-food.com/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
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I enjoyed the songs you posted. I have been a fan of Frank Sinatra for a while now. I agree that these songs are so solidly grounded with Sinatra’s powerful presence. I also feel that the various instruments reflect in an interesting way with his steady voice, which makes for a mysterious texture.
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