11. Miles Davis, Someday My Prince Will Come
Disney’s Snow White sings this song almost as a lullaby to the dwarfs and woodland animals gathered near her. How did a song of such girlish sweetness, such innocent yearning, became a jazz standard? I don’t think it’s about irony, certainly not in Miles Davis’ version. It speaks to the fact that all of us—even the hardened cynics, the fastidious aesthetes—have our tender underbelly. Other musicians had already covered it when, in 1961, Davis released what became the definitive version. It’s playful and expansive, but it takes the fairy tale wish seriously, making space for introspection and depth.
Miles Davis - trumpet, John Coltrane - saxaphone, Wynton Kelly - piano, Paul Chambers -bass, Jimmy Cobb - drums, "Some Day My Prince Will Come," recorded in 1961. Written by Frank Churchill and Larry Morey, 1937.
This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day through May 31, 2025. Inspired by my MFAH 100 project.
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Great choice! I would play John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" to my history class to show how far jazz came.