A guide to the songs in 'Sinatra The Musical'

The spectacular West End show features over 20 Sinatra hits, including "My Way", "That's Life", and "New York, New York".

Summary

• Sinatra The Musical is playing at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End
• The show features over 20 beloved Sinatra hits
• They include My Way; That's Life; Fly Me to the Moon and New York New York

Start spreading the news! The West End is now home to Frank Sinatra, thanks to the lavish new biographical show Sinatra The Musical playing at the Aldwych Theatre. The musical revisits one of the most dramatic periods of Ol’ Blue Eyes’s life, as he battled challenges both in his career and at home before making an incredible showbiz comeback and cementing his legacy.

Of course, the spectacular show, starring Joel Harper-Jackson in the title role, also features numerous beloved Sinatra hits – over 20 altogether – as it tells the story of this legendary singer and entertainer. Many are used out of real-life date order, which means although the story takes place in the earlier part of Sinatra's career, we get to hear plenty of our favourites from later periods too, and songs are used both as actual performances (Frank on stage or in the recording booth) and as expressive numbers sung by our characters.

The story begins in 1942, when Sinatra has just made a splash at New York's Paramount Theatre and is heading off to Hollywood to become a star. But that puts a strain on his marriage to Nancy, especially when he begins flirtations with the likes of Ava Gardner. He then experiences a career slump too, and has to fight his way back to the top – always supported by his loving Italian-immigrant parents, Marty and Dolly.

Ahead of your trip, find out more about which songs appear in the production (they're listed below in alphabetical order) and let Frank fly you to the moon.

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“All of Me”

Sinatra actually recorded this jazz standard several times, mostly famously in 1948. In the stage show it cleverly encapsulates his all-consuming passion as both a performer and in his romantic life.

“All or Nothing At All”

The recording that Sinatra did of this wistful song, which again speaks to his fierce commitment to love, was a big hit when it was reissued in 1943, selling over a million copies.

“Come Fly With Me”

One of Sinatra’s most beloved hits, this jaunty 1958 tune is pure mid-century jet-setting glamour and sexy, swinging innuendo. It’s wittily deployed in the musical during a scene of Hollywood bed-hopping.

“Come Rain or Come Shine”

Originally written for Broadway musical St. Louis Woman, Sinatra put his stamp on this promise of enduring affection in 1961. It’s an emotive choice for the musical, where it’s sung by his long-suffering wife Nancy and daughter, also Nancy.

“Fly Me to the Moon”

This giddy encapsulation of the euphoria of love took on a literal meaning when Sinatra released his swinging version in 1964: it became closely associated with NASA and the Apollo space programme. It’s still out of this world.

“I’m a Fool to Want You”

Sinatra recorded this lament to impossible love – “Right or wrong I can’t get along / Without you” – in 1951 as his marriage was ending and he was having a passionate affair with Ava Gardner, a stormy period explored in the musical.

“I’m Gonna Live Till I Die”

This song appeared on 1959 album Look to Your Heart, and it brilliantly conveys the young Sinatra’s reckless determination to embrace everything in life, even if some of his decisions wind up backfiring spectacularly.

“I’ve Got the World on a String”

Sinatra recorded this 1930s jazz song in 1953 right after he transferred to Capitol Records – an event we see in the musical as he fights through the hard times to make a remarkable comeback.

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin”

Sinatra turned this Cole Porter song into one of his signature tunes, and it takes on new poignancy in the show as we see the dark side of the love triangle between Frank, Nancy, and Ava.

“In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning”

The title track of Sinatra’s 1955 album, this melancholic portrait of loss and heartbreak reflects the singer’s own relationship woes, as his marriages to first Nancy and then Ava fall apart.

“Learnin’ the Blues”

Another 1955 track, this likewise wistfully (and somewhat wryly) reflects on a seismic heartbreak. In the show, it also reflects Sinatra’s career crisis and depression as he struggles through a tough period.

“My Way”

A stirring paean to individualism, sticking to your guns, and believing in yourself, this 1969 Sinatra classic is a bold Act II opener in the show – a reminder of who Frank is as he faces criticism and hardships.

“Nancy (With the Laughing Face)”

This 1944 track could equally apply to Sinatra’s wife or daughter, who share a name, and works beautifully for both in the show as the long-absent singer attempts to reconnect with them back at home.

“New York, New York”

I want to be a part of it! Kander and Ebb’s triumphant tribute to the Big Apple, originally sung by Liza Minnelli, became another Sinatra smash in 1979, and is the perfect uplifting climactic song in the musical as Sinatra is once again top of the heap.

“Nice ‘n’ Easy”

The title track of Sinatra’s 1960 studio album, this song becomes a sensual, unhurried duet for Frank and Ava, who simply cannot take their eyes off one another – “It’s gonna be so easy / For us to fall in love”.

“Oh! Look at Me Now”

Sinatra first recorded this tune with Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra in 1940, and revisited it for his 1957 album A Swingin’ Affair!. It conveys his impulsiveness as a lover, which is both part of his charm and fuels his downfall.

“One for My Baby”

Sinatra recorded this smoky, late-night, booze-fuelled ballad multiple times, and it’s gorgeously used in the musical. His artistic inspiration, Billie Holiday, sings it to a despondent Frank in a bar, reminding him to put authentic emotion into his music.

“Ring-a-Ding-Ding!”

It’s not all doom and gloom in the show, though. This bouncy, upbeat number, which was the title track of Sinatra’s 1961 album, shows the cheerier side of love.

“Tennessee Newsboy (The Newsboy Blues)”

Sinatra is under pressure to put out a novelty song with safe, popular appeal, but it all goes disastrously wrong with this choice (which he released in 1952). The Jersey kid is mercilessly mocked for affecting a folksy Tennessee persona.

“That’s All”

Covered by Sinatra in 1962, this song makes a big promise that, alas, Frank just can’t keep: “I can only give you love that lasts forever / And the promise to be near each time you call / And the only heart I own for you and you alone / That’s all, that’s all”.

“That’s Life”

Another blistering track infused with hard-won life experience and total defiance, Sinatra made it a signature tune in 1966, and it closes the first act of the musical in unforgettable fashion.

“The Best is Yet to Come”

Recorded in 1964, this optimistic track had great personal meaning for Sinatra: it was the last song he ever sang in public, and the words were written on his tombstone. It has a galvanising effect in the show too.

“The Hucklebuck”

Sometimes you just gotta dance, and this 1949 number – which actually inspired a whole dance craze – did the trick. Sinatra covered it during his time as a handsome idol to screaming bobby-soxers, which opens the musical.

“The Way You Look Tonight”

Who can resist Sinatra in beautifully sincere crooner mode? He serenaded Ginger Rogers with this Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields song in the 1936 movie Swing Time, and it remains a timeless romantic classic.

“Witchcraft”

Speaking of irresistible… Ava Gardner gets a sensational entrance in the musical with this fabulously sultry number. It was a Sinatra favourite, and he recorded it three times: first as a single in 1957, then for albums in 1963 and 1993.

“You Make Me Feel So Young”

Sinatra also adored this gorgeously exuberant song, recording it in 1956 and 1966, and frequently performing it live. In the musical, his parents do the honours as they reaffirm their enduring love in a joyful, gently comic scene.

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Photo credit: Sinatra The Musical (Photos by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)