Bing's 'Top o' the Morning' - Songs and Promos

Continuing or series of posts about Bing Crosby and his film songs, today we examine the Irish-themed Top o' the Morning, from 1949.

For this post in addition to the five songs from the film, we have a series of broadcast introductions that Bing recorded for disc jockey use. The intros would have been sent with a scripted question for the DJ to ask, and Bing would respond with his thoughts about the record to be heard next. These gimmicks must have been popular, because the labels kept producing them. This site has several examples.

It's always amusing to hear Crosby responding fully in his "genial Bing" character to these disembodied queries. He was a pro.

Ann Blyth has a crush on Bing

The plot involved some rigmarole about Bing going to Ireland as an insurance investigator - investigating the theft of the Blarney Stone (no blarney) - meeting up with the local policeman (Barry Fitzgerald, of course), and romancing the constable's daughter (Ann Blyth, 25 years Bing's junior).

The songs were good, if not the most successful ever produced for a Crosby film. Two were by stalwarts Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen, including the title song. "Top 'o the Morning" did become fairly well known, and lent its name to a much-later Irish compilation from the singer.

"Oh, 'Tis Sweet to Think" is a lyric by the 19th century poet Thomas Moore set by him to a traditional melody, I believe. Here it is a duet for Bing and Ann Blyth.

"The Donovans" is an 1896 song with words by Francis Fahy set by Alicia Adélaide Needham to the old Irish air "The Wind that Shakes the Barley." The modern adaptation is by Walter Kent.

But the best tune of all is from the Burke-Van Heusen team, "You're in Love with Someone," a tender, memorable item indeed, and perfect for our peripatetic crooner.

Bing also sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" in the film, but there was no recording at the time, presumably because he had just done it three years earlier. I have included that earlier disc as a bonus.

These are from my collection - the sound for the songs is just fine, the promos are serviceable. There are two promos for each song, except for the "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" bonus.

LINK