"There'll Be Some Changes Made" ("Changes") is a popular song by Benton Overstreet (composer) and Billy Higgins (lyricist). Published in 1921, the song has flourished in several genres, particularly jazz. The song has endured for as many years as a jazz standard. According to the online The Jazz Discography (an index of jazz-only recordings), "Changes" had been recorded 404 times as of May 2018. The song and its record debut were revolutionary, in that the songwriters (Overstreet and Higgins, the original copyright publisher, Harry Herbert Pace, the vocalist to first record it (Ethel Waters), the owners of Black Swan (the record label), the opera singer (Elizabeth Greenfield) for whom the label was named, and the musicians on the recording led by Fletcher Henderson, were all African American. The production is identified by historians as a notable part of the Harlem Renaissance.
The debut recording with Ethel Waters was recorded on Black Swan Records (1921) and rapidly became a hit. Her rendition features the rarely-heard 6-bar instrumental intro, followed by her singing the 1st verse (16 bars, plus 1), then her singing the 1st chorus (16 bars, plus 2), then instruments playing 8, plus 2 bars of the chorus, finishing with her singing the 1st chorus (16 bars, plus 2).
Variety magazine, in a fifty-year commemorative issue, included Ethel Waters' recording in its "Hit Parade of a Half-Century (1905âÂÂ1955)" list for 1923. A 1924 recording by Marion Harris (Brunswick 2651) helped establish it as a standard. Other artists with notable recordings during the 1920s include Josie Miles (Ajax 17087; 1924), Sophie Tucker (Okeh 40921; 1927), and the Chicago Rhythm Kings (Red McKenzie, vocalist; Brunswick 4001; 1928). In jazz discography, which does not include the recordings of Marion Harris or Sophie Tucker, there were 11 recordings of the song during the 1920s.
Standout recordings from the 1930s include Fats Waller (Bluebird B10322; 1935), Pee Wee Russell's Rhythmakers (HRS 1000; 1938), and Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (Louise Tobin, vocalist, Fletcher Henderson arrangement; Columbia 35210; 1939). In jazz discography, there were 17 recordings of the song during the 1930s, including double takes by (i) Benny Carter and His Swing Quintet (Masters of Jazz (F)MJCD95 CD & Vocalion S46), (ii) Pee Wee Russell's Rhythmakers (both takes on HRS 1001; 1938), (iii) Benny Goodman And His Orchestra (Columbia 35210 & Phontastic (Swd)NOST7606; 1939), and (iv) Eddie Condon And His Chicagoans (Decca 18041 & Meritt 11; 1939).
1941 was not a good year for newly published popular music due to the ASCAP strike. According to a January 31, 1942, Billboard article, ASCAP members claimed only 2 of the top 13 sellers in sheet music. Five of the remaining 11 were revivals, one of which was "There'll Be Some Changes Made." The 1941 film, Play Girl, gave new life to the song. In 1941, Benny Goodman's 1939 version became a Billboard No. 1 Hit for 4 weeks (during April and May) and peaked at No. 2 on Your Hit Parade. In 1961, BMI published a list, "All-Time Hit Songs, Broadcast Music, Inc., 1940âÂÂ1960," in Billboard. "There'll Be Some Changes Made" was among the 17 songs listed for 1947. In jazz discography, there were 60 recordings of the song during the 1940s.
Notable recordings from the 1940s include Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra (Marilyn Duke, vocalist; Bluebird B-11025-A; 1941), the Hoosier Hot Shots (Okeh 6114; 1941) and Peggy Lee (Capitol 15001; 1947).
In early 1959, Billie Holiday did three sessions with Ray Ellis and orchestra for MGM Records in New York: March 3, 4, and 11. She recorded "Changes" in the final session. That session turned out to be the last studio session of her life. She died later â on July 17. The album â released under various titles, notably, Last Recording (MGM SE-3764; 1959) â was posthumously released.
In jazz discography, there were 42 recordings of "Changes" during the 1950s.
Notable artists who recorded "Changes" include Ann-Margret on her 1962 album The Vivacious One, Jaki Byard (Muse 5007; 1972), Tony Bennett (Improv 7112; 1973âÂÂ1977) and Fox Face (Dirtnap Records ZZZ-163; 2021)
In 2004, Tony Bennett sang the song again at the Montreux Jazz Festival with the Phil Collins Big Band accompanied by pianist Ralph Sharon and double bassist Douglas Richeson, which can be heard on Collins's four-CD box set Plays Well with Others released in 2018.
Outside of jazz, in western swing, Bob Wills recorded it in 1937 (Vocalion DAL 244-1). In country music, Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler recorded â on their 1990 Grammy award winning album Neck and Neck â a parody version that references the Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing"
Feature films
Shorts
<ol type="1" start="1"> <li>Ethel Waters, accompanied by Her Jazz Masters<br /> Trumpet (unknown), trombone (unknown), Garvin Bushell (clarinet), possibly Charlie Jackson (violin), Fletcher Henderson (piano)<br /> Recorded around August 1921, New York<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Black Swan 2021<br /> Matrix P147-1<br /> </li>
<li>Josie Miles<br /> With the Choo Choo Jazzers<br /> Josie Miles (vocals), Bob Fuller (clarinet), Louis Hooper (piano)<br /> Recorded ' December 1924, New York City<br /> (audio on YouTube) Ajax (Canadian Race label) 17087<br /> Matrix 31749</li>
<li>Sophie Tucker<br /> Recorded September 3, 1927<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Matrix W81314-B<br /> Okeh 40921<br /> </li>
<li>Chicago Rhythm Kings<br /> Red McKenzie (singer), Muggsy Spanier (clarinet), Frank Teschmacher (clarinet), Mezz Mezzrow (tenor sax), Joe Sullivan (piano), Eddie Condon (banjo), James W. Lanigan (1902âÂÂ1983) (tuba), Gene Krupa (drums)<br /> Recorded April 6, 1928, Chicago<br /> Brunswick 4001<br /> Re-release: Classic Jazz Masters 31<br /> </li>
<li>Boswell Sisters<br /> Mannie Klein (trumpet), Tommy Dorsey (trombone), Jimmy Dorsey (clarinet, alto sax), Babe Russin (tenor sax), Martha Boswell (piano, cello), Eddie Lang (guitar), Artie Bernstein (bass), Stan King (drums)<br /> Recorded March 21, 1932, New York City<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Matrix: 11543-A<br /> Brunswick 6291<br /> </li>
<li>Roy Newman and His Boys<br /> Recorded October 1, 1935, Dallas<br /> Roy Newman (piano), Jim Boyd (born 1914) (brother of musician Bill Boyd brother) (guitar), Earl Brown (guitar), Ish Erwin (bass), Holly Horton (1892âÂÂ1944) (clarinet), Walter Kirks (tenor banjo), Randall "Buddy" Neal (guitar), Thurman Neal (fiddle)<br /> Matrix: DAL-196-1<br /> Vocalion 03325</li>
<li>Bob Wills (1937)<br /> Recorded June 1937, Dallas<br /> 03902 Vocalion<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Matrix DAL 244-1 (1st take)<br /> </li>
<li>Benny Goodman<br /> Louise Tobin, vocalist<br /> Arrangement by Fletcher Henderson<br /> Recorded August 10, 1939, Los Angeles<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Columbia 35210<br /> Matrix LA-1947-A<br /> (first of 2 takes)<br /> </li>
<li>Eddie Condon<br /> and His Chicagoans<br /> (instrumental, no vocals)<br /> Max Kaminsky (trumpet), Brad Gowans (trombone), Pee Wee Russell (clarinet), Bud Freeman (tenor sax), Joe Sullivan (piano), Eddie Condon (guitar), Clyde Newcombe (bass), Dave Tough (drums)<br /> Recorded August 11, 1939, New York City<br /> Matrix â 66072-A: "There'll Be Some Changes Made"<br /> Matrix â 66072-B: "There'll Be Some Changes Made"<br /> 66072-A: Decca 18041<br /> 66072-B: Meritt 11<br /> <br /> </li>
<li>Art Tatum<br /> Recorded live July 26 or 27, 1941, at Gee-Haw Stables, New York City<br /> Art Tatum (piano), Chocolate Williams (bass)<br /> Ollie Potter (vocalist) (born 1900 â DOD not known)<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Onyx ORI205<br /> Track 8 of 8<br /> <br /> (see note: â )</li>
<li>Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra<br /> Recorded January 13, 1941<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Marylin Duke (vocalist)<br /> Bobby Nichols (né Robert J. Nichols; 1924âÂÂ1975) (trumpet solo)<br /> Bluebird B-11025-A<br /> Side A (matrix 060317=1)<br /> </li>
<li>Peggy Lee<br /> With Frank de Vol's Orchestra<br /> Recorded August 14, 1947, Los Angeles<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Matrix: <br /> Capitol 15001-B<br /> </li>
<li>Hy-Lo Trio (vocals and instrumentalist)<br /> 78 rpm album:<br /> Old Tyme Favourites<br /> Recorded around 1948, Boston<br /> Vinnie "Jimmy Cal" Calderone (accordion)<br /> Angelo Boncore<br /> (né Angelo Joseph Boncore; 1919âÂÂ2012) (bass)<br /> Side B, Track 3<br /> Label:<br /> Crystal-Tone (Boston)<br /> Re-issue:<br /> Family Library of Recorded Music (Canada)<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> 1007-B<br /> </li>
<li>Dinah Washington<br /> On the album:<br /> Dinah!<br /> Recorded November 11, 1955, Los Angeles<br /> (audio on YouTube) Hal Mooney, arranger<br /> Accompanied by Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Linn, Mannie Klein (trumpets); Tommy Pederson, Frank Rosolino, Si Zentner (trombones); Herb Geller, Skeets Herfurt (alto saxes); Georgie Auld, Babe Russin (tenor saxes); Chuck Gentry (né Charles Thomas Gentry; 1911âÂÂ1987) (bari sax); Wynton Kelly (piano); Al Hendrickson (guitar); Keter Betts (bass); Jimmy Cobb (drums); Harold "Hal" Mooney (director)<br /> Matrix 12401-4<br /> EmArcy MG36065<br /> </li>
<li>Soundtrack<br /> From the 1957 film<br /> Designing Woman<br /> Album title: Miss Dolores Gray:<br /> Legendary Star of Stage and Screen<br /> (video on YouTube)'<br /> Blue Pear Records 1014<br /> </li>
<li>Billie Holiday<br /> Billie Holiday With Ray Ellis And His Orchestra<br /> Accompanied by Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Joe Wilder (trumpet), Billy Byers (trombone), Al Cohn (tenor sax), Danny Bank (bari sax), Hank Jones (piano), Barry Galbraith (guitar), Milt Hinton (bass), Osie Johnson (drums), Ray Ellis (arranger, conductor)<br /> Recorded March 11, 1959<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> 59XY445: "There'll Be Some Changes Made"<br /> MGM SE-3764<br /> Verve (E)2304120<br /> (MGM)</li>
<li>Dave Brubeck<br /> Brubeck and Rushing<br /> Recorded January 29, 1960, New York City<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Paul Desmond (alto sax), Dave Brubeck (piano), Eugene Wright (bass), Joe Morello (drums), Jimmy Rushing (vocals)<br /> Matrix: CO64697<br /> Columbia CL1553<br /> </li>
<li>Julie London<br /> Whatever Julie Wants (LP)<br /> With orchestra<br /> Felix Slatkin (conductor)<br /> Recorded in Hollywood, ', July 1961<br /> Track B5: "There'll Be Some Changes Made"<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Liberty LST 7192 (LP) US (1961)<br /> Liberty LRP 3192 (LP, Mono) Australia (1961)<br /> 7" Reel, 4tr, Stereo, Album, Liberty LT 7192 US (1961)<br /> Promo, Whi, Liberty LRP 3192 (LP, Mono) US (1961)<br /> Longon HA-G 2405 (LP, Mono) UK (1961)<br /> </li>
<li>Jackie Gleason<br /> Recorded 1961; released 1962<br /> Jackie Gleason's Lover's Portfolio<br /> Capitol SWBO-1619<br /> 2 LPs (compilation)<br /> Track B1 (of side A, B, C, D)<br /> </li>
<li>Tony Bennett<br /> On the album:<br /> Life Is Beautiful<br /> Arranged by Torrie Zito<br /> Recorded 1975<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Tony Bennett (vocals), Torrie Zito (piano), John Guiffrida (bass), Chuck Hughes (drums), and orchestra<br /> Improv 7112<br /> </li>
<li>Soundtrack (New York)<br /> Recorded March 22, 1976, A & R Recording, New York<br /> Original Broadway Cast from:<br /> Bubbling Brown Sugar<br /> H&L HL-69011-698<br /> Act 2, Scene 3<br /> Track B4<br /> Josephine Premice, vocalist<br /> <br /> Amherst Records AMH 3310 (CD)<br /> </li>
<li>Soundtrack (London)<br /> London Cast from:<br /> Bubbling Brown Sugar<br /> Act 2, Scene 3<br /> Released 1977<br /> Elaine Delmar, vocalist<br /> H&L HL-69011-698<br /> <br /> Pye (CD)<br /> </li>
<li>Duke Ellington Orchestra<br /> Mercer Ellington, director<br /> Bruce Miller, arranger<br /> A Tribute To Ethel Waters<br /> Recorded 1978, Hollywood<br /> (audio-1 & audio-2 on YouTube)<br /> Diahann Carroll (vocals)<br /> Orinda ORC4000<br /> </li>
<li>Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler<br> Neck and Neck (album)<br /> Released October 9, 1990<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Columbia<br /> </li>
<li>Celebrating Mildred Bailey and Red Norvo<br /> Recorded April 21, 22, 23, 1996, Doppler Studios, Atlanta<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Audiophile ACD-295 (CD)<br /> Daryl Sherman (vocals, piano), Randy Sandke (trumpet), Randy Reinhart (trombone), Bobby Gordon (clarinet, tenor sax), John Cocuzzi (vibes, leader), Mark Shane (piano), James Chirillo (guitar), Greg Cohen (bass), Joe Ascione (drums)<br /> </li>
<li>Soundtrack<br /> Woody Allen's 1999 film<br /> Sweet and Lowdown<br /> Byron Stripling (trumpet), Ken Peplowski (clarinet), Dick Hyman (piano), Howard Alden (solo guitar), Bucky Pizzarelli (rhythm guitar), Kelly Friesen (bass), Ted Sommer (drums)<br /> Recorded in Hollywood, 1999<br /> Track 5: "There'll Be Some Changes Made"<br /> Sony Classical SK89019 (CD)<br /> </li>
<li>Scott Hamilton<br /> Live in Bern: Scott Hamilton & Jeff Hamilton Trio<br /> Live at Marian's Jazzroom, Bern, Switzerland, May 18, 2014<br /> (audio on YouTube)<br /> Scott Hamilton (tenor sax), Tamir Hendelman (piano), Christoph Luty (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)<br /> Track 7: "There'll Be Some Changes Made"<br /> Capri 74139-2 (CD)<br /> </li></ol>
<ol type="1" start="28"> <li>Duke Ellington and his Orchestra<br /> Live: June 1, 1957, Sunset Ballroom<br /> Near Carrolltown, Pennsylvania<br /> Shorty Baker (trumpet), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Russell Procope (clarinet), Duke Ellington (piano), Joe Benjamin (bass), Sam Woodyard (drums)</li></ol>
<ol type="1" start="1"> <li>MelOdee 1257<br /> Melodee Music Co., Inc.</li>
<li>QRS 7389<br /> February 1941<br /> Fats Waller, piano roll artist</li>
<li>QRS Word Roll 8316<br /> J. Lawrence Cook, piano roll artist<br /> (audio on YouTube)</li>
<li>Aeolian 1741<br /> J. Lawrence Cook, piano roll artist</li></ol>
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Edward B. Marks Corporation was the publisher of "There'll Be Some Changes Made." The sheet music cover design, artwork by Irving Politzer (1898âÂÂ1972), featured portraits of performers who had recorded the song. Those appearing on covers include Marion Harris, Ruth Etting, and Benny Goodman.
Some sheet music covers, even 1st editions, included the subtitle, in parentheses, "Philosophic Blues."