I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine

[MikeFromHolland]

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Mack David (July 5, 1912 – December 30, 1993) was an American lyricist and songwriter, best known for his work in film and television, with a career spanning the period between the early 1940s and the early 1970s. David was credited with writing lyrics and/or music for over one thousand songs. He was particularly well known for his work on the Disney films Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland, and for the mostly-English lyrics through which Édith Piaf's signature song "La Vie en rose" gained much of its familiarity among native speakers of English.

David was the elder brother of American lyricist and songwriter, Hal David (who worked a lot with Burt Bacharach).


In 1949 Mack David wrote the song I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine originally for the score of the Disney cartoon "Cinderella," but was not used in the film. It was recorded however, for the very first time, by Tony Martin on December 2, 1949. In 1950 het did it again, and that was the version of which was released at the time. This version can be found on Spotify.



Another artist that was very quick with recording the tune was Patti Page in 1950. She recorded it even before Dean Martin, on March 3, 1950 (some say February 3). The Page recording was issued by Mercury Records as catalog number 5396, and first reached the Billboard chart on May 20, 1950, lasting 9 weeks and peaking at #8. It was her first Top 10 hit.

On May 27, 1950 her version, together with Tony Martin's version, were Retailers Picks in Billboard. Her version became the most popular.

1950 05 27 Retailers Pick Bilboard.png

No one could ever imagine at the time that Patti and Elvis would become friends later on:

Q - Your bio says you socialized with Elvis. What does that mean?

A - I don't know other than he came to see the show. I met his mother. His mother was a fan (of mine). The socializing was when he was doing the pictures of Paramount, Hal Wallis. My husband was the dance director on them. He did a lot of the remote things as director on all of the Elvis pictures he did for Hal Wallis. In fact, I was in Blue Hawaii in a boat with Elvis' cousins in the wedding scene. That would be where the socializing went on, 'cause we would meet after dinner in the bar there and Elvis would bring out his guitar and everybody would sing.

Q - That's a nice story.

A - Yeah. Too bad we didn't record it, just to have it.


And before that: 1958 - King Creole set

Patti Page with Orchestra conducted by D'Artega (1950)
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I DON'T CARE IF THE SUN DON'T SHINE
WRITTEN BY MACK DAVID, AS SUNG BY PATTI PAGE

The sun contains a ray
They label Vitamin D
If you like Vitamin D
It's quite alright with me
But I am here to say
That I like vitamin love
But I can't get vitamin love
With that doggone sun above....

I don't care if the sun don't shine
I get my lovin' in the evening time
When I'm with my baby

It's no fun with the sun around
But I get going when the sun goes down
And I meet my baby

That's when we kiss and kiss and kiss
And then we kiss some more
Don't ask how many times we kiss
At a time like this, who keeps score?

So I don't care if the sun don't shine
I get my lovin' in the evening time
When I'm with my baby

(Instrumental Break)

That's when we kiss and kiss and kiss
And then we kiss some more
Don't ask how many times we kiss
At a time like this, who keeps score?

So I don't care if the sun don't shine
I get my lovin' in the evening time
When I'm with my baby

Dean Martin recorded his (first) version on March 28, 1950 with Paul Weston and His Dixie Eight. On May 1, 1950, it was released as a single (backed by "Choo'n Gum") on Capitol #981. This single didn't do anything in the charts.

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This version of the song was recorded before any version hit the charts. Live on CBS radio, during a Mother'sday broadcast on May 14th 1950 in the Jack Benny program. Sung by Vivian Blaine.
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A few versions that were recorded shortly after:

The Crew Chiefs with Jerry Gray and his Orchestra on Decca Records #27179 in 1950:
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Georgia Gibbs - 1951
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Alice Faye and The Sportsmen Quartet - 1951
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The version that inspired Elvis was most probably this one. A Dean Martin version of the song as featured in the 1953 film Scared Stiff starring Martin and Jerry Lewis. Elvis might have seen the movie at the Loew's State in Memphis. Perhaps even as an usher.


1955 - Loew's State canopy-marquee and ticket office. A part of the long interior lobby shows and the interior ticket office. Collection of Richard S. Brashier.



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Elvis recorded his version on Friday, 10 September 1954.

The story goes that when Elvis decided to record it for Sun, he could not remember all of the song, so Marion Keisker wrote additional lyrics. The song's publisher insisted that Marion signed a disclaimer that her name would not be on the label nor would she receive royalties. Marion agreed.

I DON'T CARE IF THE SUN DON'T SHINE
WRITTEN BY MACK DAVID AND MARION KEISKER (uncredited),


Well, I don't care if the sun don't shine.
I get my lovin' in the evening time
When I'm with my baby.

Well, it ain't no fun with the sun around.
I get going when the sun goes down
And I'm with my baby.

Well, that's when we're gonna kiss and kiss
and kiss and kiss,
And we're gonna kiss some more.
Who cares how many times we kiss,
'Cause at a time like this, who keeps score?

Well, I don't care if the sun don't shine
I get my loving in the evening time
When I meet my baby.

And it don't matter if it's sleet or snow,
The drive-in's cozy when the lights are low
And I'm with my baby.

Makes no difference if the rain comes down
I don't notice when she's around.
Oh boy, what a baby.

Well, that's when we're gonna kiss and kiss
and kiss and kiss
and
We're gonna kiss some more.
Well, one kiss from my baby doll
Makes me hot...
More more more more.

Well, I don't care if the sun don't shine
I get my loving in the evening time
When I'm with my baby.

Well, that's when we're gonna kiss and kiss
and kiss and kiss
and
We're gonna kiss some more.
Well, one kiss from my baby doll
Makes me hot...
More more more more.

Well, I don't care if the sun don't shine
I get my loving in the evening time
When I'm with my baby.

It was released as the B-side the "Good Rockin' Tonight" single.

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And here we see how Elvis might have used his guitar as a percussion instrument. He would do that many more times later as well, just take a look at this interesting topic as started by elvisalisellers:

Moments Of Cool - The Guitar-Slap Recordings
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=78615#p1202829

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BONUS
Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin sing a song from one of their movies. The song is followed by a second song, You'll Never Get Away. The 1953 clip is from a clip show they did on The Colgate Comedy Hour when Jerry Lewis injured his ankle and couldn't perform his usual zany stand up routines.
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sources
http://pscelebrityhomes.com/celebrity-index-d-f/mack-david-2/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mack_David
http://davidneale.eu/elvis/originals/list4.html#S1260
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Don%27t_Care_if_the_Sun_Don%27t_Shine
http://www.classicbands.com/PattiPageInterview.html
https://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=57366
http://www.deanmartinfancenter.com/index/rightframe/11discb/11discb.html
https://www.discogs.com/Dean-Martin-I-Dont-Care-If-The-Sun-Dont-Shine/release/7406804
http://www.historic-memphis.com/memphis-historic/movietheaters/loews-state.html

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[california boy]

Very interesting and well done post thank you Mike

[skatterbrane]

The only 1 of the 10 Sun sides I just do not like. Too bad it couldn't have been Tiger Man instead.

[MikeFromHolland]

The only 1 of the 10 Sun sides I just do not like. Too bad it couldn't have been Tiger Man instead.

What'd you think when you listen to all the versions that became before (with the big orchestra's and different lyrics), and than have a listen to Scotty, Bill and Elvis? It really doesn't do anything for you? The 19 year old, who couldn't remember the lyrics of a song he very much liked, but perhaps only saw once in the cinema...



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[drjohncarpenter]

Nice post. Although Elvis wasn't an usher at the time of the film's release in April 1953, it's more than possible seeing the Martin and Lewis film was an influence on the recording made at Sun in 1954. Martin's studio arrangement of the song is not much like his film version.




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scared_Stiff_(1953_film)

Note various future Elvis connections:
- credit for "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine"
- co-star Lizabeth Scott
- producer Hal Wallis


Certainly, if the 18 year-old did not see the film, he caught the TV performance you noted above, which aired a few months before the movie was in theaters.



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Dean Martin "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" ("Colgate Comedy Hour" NBC-TV - Sunday, January 25, 1953)


Marion Keisker's uncredited lyrical contribution to Elvis' version of the song was these two verses:

And it don't matter if it's sleet or snow
The drive-in's cozy when the lights are low
And I'm with my baby

Makes no difference if the rain comes down
I don't notice when she's around
Oh boy, what a baby


And who can forget the joy of hearing the reel which survived that featured two false starts of the song, followed by the master take? It first surfaced on bootleg in 1974, along with some other material. And RCA also released a Sun outtake that year.

1974 - RCA
I Love You Because (alternate)

1974 - Bootleg
Blue Moon Of Kentucky (alternate)
I'll Never Let You Go (alternate)
I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine (false starts+master)

[colonel snow]

Another version was recorded in march 1950 by Leroy Holmes & his Orchestra (MGM 10685).


colonel snow

[Davelee]

A song I always enjoy! Not as strong as the other Sun sides but still a classic. Scotty's two guitar solos are cool that add that extra vibrant to it.

I also find Dean Martin's version a joy to listen to.

[jeanno]

My least favorite SUN side, quite of a let down after GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT I guess.
I enjoyed Dean's version a lot though.

[Davelee]

Thought I'd add a list of cover versions after Presley's release, most are based around Presley's version:

Curtis Johnson - recorded mid 50s, I think, but not released til 78.
Don't Cherry & His Orchestra - 56
Roger La Rue & his Pals - 58
John Leyton - 61
Bobby Osborne - 63
The Cavavelles - 64
Eddie Fisher - 65
Bob Luman - 70
Brother Boy - 95
Trond Granlund - 95
Fairlane Rockets - 95
Good Rock in Tonight - 98
Sue and the Flaming Stars - 2004
Scotty Moore and Steve Gibbons - 2005
Wanda Jackson - 2006
Rockin Rebels - 2006
Asleep At The Wheel - 2007
Reid Jamieson - 2007
Katie Glassman - 2014

Instrumentals

Tony Mottola & his all Stars - 1956
Peter Williams - 2006.

[jetblack]

One of my favoured Sun songs.

Released on the HMV label in November 1956 as the B side to 'Blue Moon' (UK #9) it charted at #23.

Andy

[TeddyGirl]

One of my favoured Sun songs.

Released on the HMV label in November 1956 as the B side to 'Blue Moon' (UK #9) it charted at #23.

Andy

Mine too, although I always thought the words were "One kiss from my baby doll, makes me holler more, more more more

[MikeFromHolland]

One of my favoured Sun songs.

Released on the HMV label in November 1956 as the B side to 'Blue Moon' (UK #9) it charted at #23.

Andy

Mine too, although I always thought the words were "One kiss from my baby doll, makes me holler more, more more more

Yes, it's "holler" or "howl" indeed. I copy-pasted the lyrics.

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[skatterbrane]

The only 1 of the 10 Sun sides I just do not like. Too bad it couldn't have been Tiger Man instead.

What'd you think when you listen to all the versions that became before (with the big orchestra's and different lyrics), and than have a listen to Scotty, Bill and Elvis? It really doesn't do anything for you? The 19 year old, who couldn't remember the lyrics of a song he very much liked, but perhaps only saw once in the cinema...



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I do not like the song at all, but I prefer Elvis' version if I had to listen to it. I do not like pre-rock pop, big band etc. I do like pre-rock jazz (not Dixieland though), blues and rhythm and blues for the most part. But the whole Benny Goodman, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Mills Brothers, Andrew Sisters, etc 30s-50s musicals etc, I really cannot stand to listen to. And I do not like Broadway Show type musicals from ANY era. So, no. I don't like the music Woody Allen has been using on his movies for the last 15 years or so either. It is all from the 20s-40s it seems.

I guess the reason I never liked that Sun side is because it reminded me of pre-rock pop even though I did not know it was at the time. Man there was a REASON why Elvis made such an lasting impact and impression on pop music, HE ROCKED. And it was a definite line of demarcation--before and after Elvis.

[MikeFromHolland]

The only 1 of the 10 Sun sides I just do not like. Too bad it couldn't have been Tiger Man instead.

What'd you think when you listen to all the versions that became before (with the big orchestra's and different lyrics), and than have a listen to Scotty, Bill and Elvis? It really doesn't do anything for you? The 19 year old, who couldn't remember the lyrics of a song he very much liked, but perhaps only saw once in the cinema...



.

I do not like the song at all, but I prefer Elvis' version if I had to listen to it. I do not like pre-rock pop, big band etc. I do like pre-rock jazz (not Dixieland though), blues and rhythm and blues for the most part. But the whole Benny Goodman, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Mills Brothers, Andrew Sisters, etc 30s-50s musicals etc, I really cannot stand to listen to. And I do not like Broadway Show type musicals from ANY era. So, no. I don't like the music Woody Allen has been using on his movies for the last 15 years or so either. It is all from the 20s-40s it seems.

I guess the reason I never liked that Sun side is because it reminded me of pre-rock pop even though I did not know it was at the time. Man there was a REASON why Elvis made such an lasting impact and impression on pop music, HE ROCKED. And it was a definite line of demarcation--before and after Elvis.

Thanks for your reply!


I like the way the trio took a big band song and turned it into r&b with just the three of them. Creating something completely different. Man, the creativity. The energy.



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[Chucky99]

Not one of my favorites from the Sun records, but I don't skip it when I hear it...

[r&b]

A song I always enjoy! Not as strong as the other Sun sides but still a classic. Scotty's two guitar solos are cool that add that extra vibrant to it.

I also find Dean Martin's version a joy to listen to.

Agree with this. It may not be as enjoyable as the other Sun sides, but I find every Sun recording to be a joy to listen to and a part of history that only happened for a very short time. The joy in Elvis' voice is in every one of them. I'd listen to the Sun stuff over the 70's stuff any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[drjohncarpenter]

Thanks for your reply!


I like the way the trio took a big band song and turned it into r&b with just the three of them. Creating something completely different. Man, the creativity. The energy.

"I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" isn't a big band song, it's a pop song. Also, it's possible a fourth person was involved in the 1954 Sun session. Musician Buddy Cunningham's name has been mentioned in the past as providing the prominent percussion heard on the track.

Sam Phillips released two singles by him, although neither was successful.

1954
"Right Or Wrong"/"Why Do I Cry" (Sun 208, credited to Buddy Cunningham)

1957
"You Pass Me By"/"Please Convince Me" (Phillips International 3516, credited to Buddy Blake)

[MikeFromHolland]

Thanks for your reply!


I like the way the trio took a big band song and turned it into r&b with just the three of them. Creating something completely different. Man, the creativity. The energy.

"I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" isn't a big band song, it's a pop song. Also, it's possible a fourth person was involved in the 1954 Sun session. Musician Buddy Cunningham's name has been mentioned in the past as providing the prominent percussion heard on the track.

Sam Phillips released two singles by him, although neither was successful.

1954
"Right Or Wrong"/"Why Do I Cry" (Sun 208, credited to Buddy Cunningham)

1957
"You Pass Me By"/"Please Convince Me" (Phillips International 3516, credited to Buddy Blake)

Yeah, I know. But I don't believe Cunningham played percussion on IDCITSDS. Do you really believe that?

And I wrote a big band song, not a Big Band song.

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[drjohncarpenter]

"I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" isn't a big band song, it's a pop song. Also, it's possible a fourth person was involved in the 1954 Sun session. Musician Buddy Cunningham's name has been mentioned in the past as providing the prominent percussion heard on the track.

Sam Phillips released two singles by him, although neither was successful.

1954
"Right Or Wrong"/"Why Do I Cry" (Sun 208, credited to Buddy Cunningham)

1957
"You Pass Me By"/"Please Convince Me" (Phillips International 3516, credited to Buddy Blake)

Yeah, I know. But I don't believe Cunningham played percussion on IDCITSDS. Do you really believe that?

And I wrote a big band song, not a Big Band song.

Musical genres do not need to be capitalized, your words fail to convey the proper meaning there.

The suggestion that someone provided percussion on Elvis' recording of "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" is very easy to believe. If you presume Elvis is doing it, you need to have an explanation as to why it's not intruding on his live vocal. A careful listen to the two false starts also seems to indicate a fourth person is involved.

[TJ]

Scotty's two guitar solos are cool that add that extra vibrant to it.

That's what I really enjoy about it too. It's a guitar part that I often find myself playing when I pick up a guitar. Scotty really knew how to craft a memorable lead.

[drjohncarpenter]

Scotty's two guitar solos are cool that add that extra vibrant to it.

That's what I really enjoy about it too. It's a guitar part that I often find myself playing when I pick up a guitar. Scotty really knew how to craft a memorable lead.

Scotty's work echoes the freewheeling joy heard in Elvis' wonderful vocals.

[TJ]

Yes. The whole thing works for me.

[poormadpeter2]

Dean Martin's 1950 recording might not be big band, but it's certainly given a jazz flavour thanks to the Dixieland backing, which acts as a precursor to Dino's first concept album, Swinging Down Yonder, recorded in 1954 and released in 1955. Indeed, the stylings of the single and album are so similar, one could mistake the former as being part of the latter, and it's somewhat surprising the 1950 single wasn't added to the CD release as a bonus track.

Of course, I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine really is really the best Al Jolson record never recorded. No doubt, if Jolson hadn't passed away in the autumn of 1950, he would have got his hands on the number and his version would probably have been the definitive rendition. Dino is certainly channelling him in his 1950 recording, and his admiration for Jolson shines through the Swinging Down Yonder album and beyond - there were a number of Jolson medleys during the course of the Dean Martin Show, including a wonderful one with Bing Crosby (whose radio shows with Jolson are a hoot) in 1967 and one with Bobby Darin (sadly unavailable for viewing) in 1969. Dino also briefly revived I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine (this time in a big band setting) during a medley with Caterina Valente in December 1967.

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As for Elvis's version, well he seems to be having a ball, although it is difficult to ascertain just which version of the song he is drawing on for his own. Some, including Jorgensen, have said the 1953 Scared Stiff version, but there's really not much similarity in arrangement or vocal. The Colgate Hour performance draws on the 1950 recording rather than the film version - but did Elvis even have a TV at this point? No matter, by the time of his recording Elvis's confidence had grown, and there is a joyous playfulness to his performance which manages to elevate the slight material in a way he never manages to achieve in You're a Heartbreaker, for example.

In contrast, the January 22 1955 live performance is an unmitigated mess. Elvis & Co play their version, while Leon Post on piano attempts to integrate what is probably best described as semi-stride piano into the mix. It's a disastrous mix of two styles that don't work together, rather like the use of the Dorsey band in Heartbreak Hotel a year later.

[HoneyTalkNelson]

Our 1991 CD reissue from Capitol had the song as a bonus track.

[MikeFromHolland]

"I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" isn't a big band song, it's a pop song. Also, it's possible a fourth person was involved in the 1954 Sun session. Musician Buddy Cunningham's name has been mentioned in the past as providing the prominent percussion heard on the track.

Sam Phillips released two singles by him, although neither was successful.

1954
"Right Or Wrong"/"Why Do I Cry" (Sun 208, credited to Buddy Cunningham)

1957
"You Pass Me By"/"Please Convince Me" (Phillips International 3516, credited to Buddy Blake)

Yeah, I know. But I don't believe Cunningham played percussion on IDCITSDS. Do you really believe that?

And I wrote a big band song, not a Big Band song.

Musical genres do not need to be capitalized.

Didn't know that. In that case I stand corrected. I meant 'quite a bit bigger band' than.

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