“Out of Nowhere” | Stories of Standards

“Out of Nowhere” – composed by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman – was released in 1931, as people were beginning to realize that the depression would not be lifting anytime soon.

The song holds on to the possibility of a bright future, with love coming “out of nowhere” but potential for an equally mysterious vanishing back into nowhere.

Written in G major with an A – B1 – A – B2 progression, “Out of Nowhere” easily engages listeners.

“Out of Nowhere” soars along in the 1931 Western comedy “Dude Ranch,” as part of a wild west show used to keep bored customers from fleeing the ranch.

Tune in to First Take with Lando and Chavis – weekdays from 6-9 am MT – for Stories of Standards to hear our favorite versions of this song all week long!

Coleman Hawkins on saxophone and Django Reinhardt on guitar used Benny Carter’s arrangement of the tune (and trumpet) to release a masterful cover of the tune in 1937.  Ten years later Charlie Parker recorded a balladic version.

A delightful 1961 vocal recording by Joe Williams and Harry “Sweets” Edison proves an excellent introduction to vocal variations.

Johnny Green (1908 – 1989) was best known as the writer of “Body and Soul” and as a great conductor. A Harvard graduate, he arranged, conducted, and composed for films and concerts, including the Denver Symphony Orchestra. 

He won three Academy Awards for best score (Easter Parade 1951, An American in Paris 1953 and West Side Story 1961).

Edward Heyman (1907 – 1981), lyricist and producer, wrote and co-wrote numerous well-known songs, including “Body and Soul,” “I Wanna Be Loved”, “You Oughta Be in Pictures,” and “The Sky Fell Down. When not writing, he and his partner renovated old houses and resold them.

Green and Heyman were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Green in 1972 and Heyman in 1975.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlgp4Y64D1I