Teatime Tune #39: (Medley) I Love You Because & I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter

Another little medley today -- two songs which, handily, come one after another in my songbook, and are in the same key and similar rhythm.

'I Love You Because' is often associated with Jim Reeves, but in fact his version was 15 years after the original, written and recorded by Leon Payne in 1949. Elvis recorded a version on his very first album, and Johnny Cash and Al Martino also had popular versions.

'I'm Gonna Sit Right Down...' was a favourite of the lovely Bob from my Wednesday group, a proper old-style jazz singer, who is much missed.
It was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young, recorded in the same year by Fats Waller, and featured in the musical 'Ain't Misbehavin''.
As an American Songbook standard, it has been recorded by lots of big names, including Sinatra, Crosby, The Mills Brothers, Sarah Vaughan and even Shakin' Stevens.
In 2012, Paul McCartney did an album of covers, and called it "Kisses on the Bottom" after one of the lyrics in the song. Oooh, no, missus...


Lyrics:

'I Love You Because'

I love you because you understand dear
Every single thing I try to do
You're always there to lend a helping hand dear
I love you most of all because you're you

No matter what the world may say about me
I know your love will always see me through
I love you for the way you never doubt me
But most of all I love you ‘cause you're you


I love you because my heart is lighter
Every time I'm walking by your side
And I love you because the future's brighter
The door to happiness you opened wide

No matter what the world may say about me
I know your love will always see me through
I love you for a hundred thousand reasons
But most of all I love you ‘cause you're you...




'I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And
Write Myself A Letter'


I’m gonna sit right down
And write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you

I’m gonna write words oh so sweet
They’re gonna knock me off my feet
A lot of kisses on the bottom
I’ll be glad I got ‘em


I’m gonna smile and say
“I hope you’re feeling better”
And close with love the way you do

I’m gonna sit right down
And write myself a le—tter
And make believe it came from you…