[Duncan]

So many Frank fans really hate this tune, and I gather Frank himself wasnt too keen on it.
Anyway I don't think it's that bad, if I had gone to a Sinatra concert and he didn't sing it I would have felt short changed, it's a kinda a 'must have'.
So what do you guys think of 'Strangers', and for that matter 'My Way'? They both did a lot for Sinatra's career.

Duncan

[ARIES3032]

Hi Duncan, I really like "Strangers in the night". I like "My Way even more. It tells the story of his life.

I dont think I have ever not liked anything Frank recorded. He brought so much to every song he sang. I do remember one show I saw him at where he did tease the audience and said he wasnt going to do My Way, but he finally did.

[Adam]

Whenever you say to someone 'Frank Sinatra' they immediately think of 'My Way' and 'Strangers In The Night'. These are his staples, the songs people remember him for, it is only us sensible people who look beyond those bright lights at the rest of his music. But those two songs are great lead-ons for new Frank fans, to pick up on his other stuff.

Adam

Most people who dont really know Franks music - at the very least, know My Way and lets not forget New York, New York!!! It may not have started out being his song (Liza sang it first) but it definately ended up being his!

If you ever saw Frank in concert you know how gave everyone involved with every song the credit....saying who produced and orchestrated, etc.

I remember at one of his concerts, he started saying "this next song was written by..... and etc.... ( I dont remember exactly) but he finished by saying "it was originally performed by Liza Minelli..... and stolen by me" EVERYONE LAUGHED!!!! and he want right into New York New York....

[Duncan]

New York, New York is one of my very favourite songs of all time!! It's so rythmic, those familiar cords, Don Costa's superb big band style orcheration, BRILLIANT!!!!!

Srangers reached Number 1 in the UK SINGLES CHART

[Adam]

Those are the big three over here i think, if you were to stop someone in the street and ask them to name three Frank Sinatra songs, they would come out with :

1. 'My Way'
2. 'New York New York'
3. 'Strangers In The Night'

Those songs also, i may add, are the standard karaoke tracks when pubs in England have karaokes, its almost guarnteed that someone will sing the three above (usually me if im there )

Adam

I personally don't really care for "My Way" or "Strangers in the Night". I don't know why, I just don't. And I'm glad those weren't my first expiriences with Frank, because I would have ended up disliking him. I much prefer songs like "All the Way" and "The Way You Wear Your Hat" and so on and so on.

mel b

Hi Everyone,
I love the Charles Singleton, Burt Kampfert(spel)
and Eddie Snyder...now how do I know these three wrote 'Strangers' well because as it was pointed out...Frank always gave credit to the songwriters,composers, and arrangers.
I love how FS would kid the audience and sing
"a lovely pair of pants away" as substitute lyrics.
Adam, I sing this song as well as 'My Way' at karaoke bars. I key it down to something closer to my capabilitiy(if it can be called that).
Last Tuesday I went to my favorite karaoke bar(Italian restaurant with a 'Vegas' style lounge) In fact that very stage once was performed on by none other than Mr. Tony Bennett himself(for some benefit), also Mr. Tommy Sands and Dick Contino(a Vegas staple) have performed there I believe. On the wall of Fame there among Tommy Sands and Dick Contino are signed pictures of George Shearing and Mel Torme.
Anyway back to Karaoke(a Tuesday night staple at Mancini's in St. Paul, Mn.) I wore my gray slacks, navy blue blazer,white shirt, silver/gray tie and a breast pocket red handkerchief. This is one of my imitation 'Frank outfits' (I have quite a few neck ties, I love them)along with my black tux(which I bought used in Las Vegas for $75.00)of course these outfits(insert winking face here) are considerably less expensive than the real thing! But I looked nice if I do say so myself...I have three pairs of what I call "stage shoes"...very shiny and black(they never see the pavement,only the carpet, in fact I am the only 'Karaoke singer' who is given the use of the changing room behind the stage(I used to change in the men's room, then Nick the owner said use the dressing room, Imagine my glee!).
I looked and felt good. I sang 'I've Got You Under My Skin' (the 'Duets' with Bono version karaoke disc MM6053 song #2, (the easiest one for me to perform, of the many versions of this song in karaoke form), Followed by Frank's version of 'Mack The Knife' and then a heartfelt rendition of 'My Way'!
It was a nice evening for me. Though I am no Frank Sinatra, I do my best! Karaoke is a "marvelous" invention!

P.S. Adam, I already commented on another thread that I love your new Avator!

Charlotte, (a reminder)... 'New York, New York' words and music...Fred Ebb and John Kander.

Duncan,
I truly like Strangers in the night and My way, however they are not on my top ten list, mainly because I feel that they are over played. Both on the radio, tv, etc... I used to love them but after a while they get a little tiring, I mean everytime someone requests a sinatra song on the radio it is almost always these two songs. and when he passed away all I heard for weeks was My Way, every tribute both on radio and tv used this song constantly. And this bugs me for the simple reason that he has such a large repitore of songs that are far more eloquent, but unfortunetly some people just cant seem to get past these two songs and consequently end up missing out on the best Sinatra has to offer. Now im not trying to knock these songs as I said I do like them but they are just too highly overated. I mean what about songs like, "what is this thing called love?" , "tender trap", "I'll be seeing you?", "one for my baby" , "witchcraft" just to name a few. I think these are equally if not more impressive than both strangers in the night and my way and yet they dont get half the recognition of those two. Just though I would throw my two cence in!

When the song first appeared on a single, it was everywhere. A big hit for Frank S. It was covered by a lot of others, the best, in my opinion, Matt Monro. I also believe that a lot of the songs that you folks prefer were perhaps not released as a single, only on an album. I do not know the criteria that radio stations use to play different songs. I do Like "Strangers," however. It was from a film, "A Man Could Get Killed." John

[Duncan]

I wonder how well songs like 'Witchcraft', 'Summer Wind' or 'Luck Be A Lady' would do if they were released as a singles today? Imagine that, Frank back in the charts!!
I don't know when he last had a single out, I think New York, New York was re-released in 1992, but I'm not sure.

I heard "Strangers in the Night" on the radio yesterday.

I wonder if it's the Frank Sinatra song played most often on the radio.

"Come Fly with Me" gets good airplay too.

[frank2]

I have always liked "Strangers in the night". That complete album
has a different feel from all of this others. He certainly had an
ear for what would play and when. Does anyone know if he
ever recorded "Strangers in the night" again in a different version? I have only ever heard the one. It was not uncommon
for him to update or change songs he had sung for years. He
either hated this song so much that he didn't want to do it
again or he thought it was done just right. What do you think ?

I love "My Way"! It's one of my favorite songs. But only if Frank is singing it.

"Strangers in the Night" doesn't thrill me. I don't love it or hate it. There are just so many other songs I prefer to hear Frank sing.

[gymrat]

I have to admit, it's one of my "least favorite" tunes, but as I listen more it's sort of grown on me.

Although not my favourite, when I got married in 2000, the 150 guests were treated to the bride and groom dancing to 'Strangers' as one of our chosen songs. (We had other 'chosen' songs as well and all were songs by Frank).

I think that 'Strangers' is a truly sexy song ...

PS. I should point out that my husband is not a Frank fan but FS came as part of the package one might say!

Hey Brett, I sing the same songs down here in New Orleans. he crowd loves Sinatra's Mack the Knife. Also, Melanie how old are you????? You look young. Great to see a young Sinatra fan!!!!!!!!

[ARIES3032]

Hi Mike Smith, I don't recall seeng your posts before. You will love this site and the people here are all very interested in The Sinatra Family. Keep posting.