Role of the Performer (Frank Sinatra)

 Born in 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey, Frank Sinatra was an American singer, actor, and cultural icon known for his smooth voice, charismatic stage presence, and timeless hits. Sinatra started his career working in small clubs in New Jersey and New York. This is where he begins to cut his teeth in musical performances. In the late 1930s, he joined his first band called the Three Flashes. His bandmates attested that he was only let in due to him having a car that allowed the band to be chauffeured around. Sinatra's career would begin to blossom shortly after a win on a music show called The Amateur Hour. Sinatra's act would take first prize, giving the group their first bit of success. Two years following this win, Sinatra would strike it on his own, setting in motion his rise to fame in the 1940s, where he starred in films and performed in clubs all around America. It is important to note that Frank Sinatra is known for performing music rather than writing it. Of his most recognizable tunes, very few have been written or co-written by him. Towards the end of the decade his star status would begin to stifle off,his publicist would die and his first marriage would end in controversy. Sinatra, now even shunned by Hollywood, would turn to Las Vegas where many career milestones would be made. In Las Vegas he would perform at the Sands hotel (which he would end up owning 25% of by the time it was destroyed.) This time in Vegas we can really see how a star performer shines. 

Here is a good example of Sinatra performing. Sinatra would perform My Way at the end of most of his shows. The song is about living life on one's own terms and looking back on it with pride, acceptance, and few regrets. The song's melody is the same as that of the French song Comme d'habitude, and the lyrics are written by Paul Anka. Yet the song is almost completely associated with Sinatra in the public consciousness. Sinatra's impeccable phrasing and timing truly make the song emotional.  This song gets me every time with its dynamic shift from soft, calm, introspective beginning to its loud, intense, heroic climax at the end. It is said that many who went to his shows felt like they were directly being sung to. Sinatra also has a great stage presence here, as with little movement, he still commands the stage.

Many of the same comments can be attributed to this video, but I believe it is important to show Sinatra a little earlier in his career. This is a rendition of Fly Me to the Moon from the year 1965. This is a rather interesting video, as you can see a lot of what makes Frank Sinatra interesting as a performer.  The big band setup also gives this performance a more lively, punchy feel and a bright and brassy timbre. Frank Sinatra didn't think of himself as a jazz musician even though his biggest hits, including this song, would fall into that category. Senatra's true passion was big band music. (Frank Sinatra actually made two albums with Columbia that were orchestras conducted by him).In this video, we can see him look back multiple times at the band, seemingly more interested in what they are doing than what he is doing. I bring this up because Sinatra was influential in blending big band music and jazz with popular music of the time. He took these songs that already existed and put his own spin on them. Signal boosting those songs to the post-WW2 masses. For example, Fly me to the Moon was already a decade old by the time Sinatra sang it. Sometimes, having performers interpret the compositions of others is good as they can boast about the song further than the original artist could have. In fact, I personally prefer another version of Fly Me to the Moon by Claire Littley (included video at the end).

                                                           

Sinatra has been a mainstay in my house for studying and listening to holiday music. He is clearly an icon of music and performance even into present time. I was very happy I got to write and talk about him. Hopefully some of you will take the time and watch a few of his excellent live performances.

Thank you for reading.

Jaxon Foster

citations: 

“Frank Sinatra.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Nov. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra

“Home.” Frank Sinatra, 10 Dec. 2021, www.sinatra.com/

“Neon Genesis Evangelion — FLY ME TO THE MOON — CLAIRE (ED Ending Full NGE OST Soundtrack Lyrics).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixi0sUpLVRc&ab_channel=vidgam . Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

“Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon (Live At The Kiel Opera House, St. Louis, MO/1965).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2rDb4Ur2dw&list=RDY2rDb4Ur2dw&start_radio=1.Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

“Frank Sinatra - My Way (Live At Madison Square Garden, New York City / 1974 / 2019 Edit).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=w019MzRosmk&ab_channel=FrankSinatraVEVO.Accessed 2 Nov. 2024. 

IMDb. “Frank Sinatra | Music Artist, Actor, Producer.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm0000069/.  Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.