Indian Summer

Music, Victor Herbert (1859–1924); words, Al Dubin (1891–1945)

For details regarding Victor Herbert, see “Toyland” (1904), and “Ah, Sweet Mystery Of Life” (1910). Herbert wrote the music for this song as an instrumental in 1919, and Al Dubin added words in 1939, 15 years after Herbert had died. I had no idea who had written the song and I had no idea Herbert had three of my 100. Dubin’s first hit was, “A Cup Of Coffee, A Sandwich, And You”. Incidentally, each time I list another song someone has written here, I want to point out that I am familiar with the song, even if––as in the case with this one––I hadn’t heard it in over 50 years. Dubin also wrote “Tiptoe Through The Tulips”, “42^nd Street”, “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me” (Dubin had lifelong problems with drugs and alcohol), and “Lullaby Of Broadway”.

This particular recording was made by Mark Bingham and I in 1989, in New Orleans, for our album, “You Must Remember This”. I know  saying this is heresy, but I like our version of this song better than the one by Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington.