NINETY-NINE OUT OF A HUNDRED (WANNA BE LOVED)


(Al Sherman (m) / Al Lewis (l) ) 1931


As sung by Frank Sylvano (with Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra) 1931


Also sung by:

Rudy Vallée

Paul Small

Bob Crosby with Billy May

And others...



(Orchestral lead in)


Ninety nine out a hundred wanna be kissed

Why don't you?

Ninety nine out a hundred wouldn't resist

Why do you?


Moonlight is beaming

And lovers are dreaming

Of heavenly things that they'll own

I am with you but I might as well be alone.


Ninety nine out of a hundred want to be loved

Why don't you?


(bridge)


NInety nine out a hundred want to be kissed [spoken]

Why don't you? [chorus] uh huh,

Ninety nine out a hundred wouldn't resist [spoken]

Why do you? [chorus] ohhh


Moonlight is beaming [spoken]

And lovers are dreaming

Of heavenly things that they'll own

I am with you but I might as well be alone...see here


Ninety nine out of a hundred want to be loved [spoken]

Why don't you? [chorus]


(Orchestral lead out)





Notes:


This 1931 melody was commonly played by the 'big bands' of the day as a

foxtrot and they usually had a vocalist to perform it. Ben Bernie played

with his orchestra during the Jazz Age. A violinist by trade, he ultimately

became known for his wonderful speaking voice, thus his very successful

career on radio. He produced many popular variety shows and never had a

problem getting sponsors. As one scribe puts it, he smooth-talked his

way into his listeners hearts.


Interestingly, Bernie is purportedly most identified with the commonly

heard catchphrase Yowsah! (also seen as yowsa or yowzer and other

derivations). Whether he coined this phrase or not, he used it often

enough over radio to build a permanent historic connection to it, which is

reported by entertainment historians to this day.


(Transcribed by David Story June 2014)