“Undecided” | Stories of Standards

“Undecided” was written in 1938 by Charles Shavers (1920 – 1971), with lyrics by Sid Robin (1912 – 1986).

Shaver, a big band veteran, joined the Onyx Club band in 1937. He took over the group, composing and arranging new tunes.

When Shaver sent one of his compositions to his publisher, the publisher wired back asking for the title. Shaver’s response was  “Undecided,” which was mistakenly thought to be the title.

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“Undecided”  was first recorded by John Kirby and The Onyx Club Boys on October 28, 1938. Later that year, Sid Robin wrote lyrics for the song, requiring the tune to be played at half-speed. This change created a song perfectly suited to Ella Fitzgerald’s early style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAIdvJ-EW-Y

The song was very popular in the 1940s and 1960s, and hit #2 on the charts with the Ames Brothers’ 1951 recording.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFpiW2uvw3o

The tune’s C major key lends “Undecided” a rollicking cheerfulness that works especially well for swing dancing.

Shavers’ has his older brother to thank for the launch of his musical career. His brother – also a trumpet player – would not accept gigs also they also hired his little brother. 

In 1936, 16-year-old Shavers joined John Kirbys’s sextet, giving his birth year as 1917 in order to circumvent child labor laws.

Known as a virtuoso trumpet player and arranger with a great sense of humor, Shavers left the Onyx Club band in 1944 and joined Tommy Dorsey’s band in 1945. Shavers was in great demand for recording sessions, played in Benny Goodman’s band for about 11 years and touring extensively with different groups.

Unfortunately, after several years of failing health, Shavers died from throat cancer in 1971. Learn more about Shavers here.

While much of Sid Robin’s early life remains obscure, it is known that he entertained troops in WWII as a cast member of “Irving Berlin’s This Is The Army.”

Robin’s early lyrics were often created in collaboration with others, such as his first hit “Just Because,” written in 1937 with Bob and Joe Shelton.

As a lyricist and composer, Robin’s work ranged from jazz, western films (including several Gene Autry movies), television (including the theme for the Groucho Marx show “You Bet Your Life”), and Broadway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxcwrvBap1o

Sources: jazzstandards.org; jazzbiographies.com, vervemusicgroup.com, nationaljazzarchive.co.uk