Guy Lombardo - You Didn't Have to Tell Me (1931)

You Didn't Have to Tell Me (I Knew it All the Time)
Words and music by Walter Donaldson
Performed by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
Vocal refrain by Carmen Lombardo
Recorded January 13, 1931
Columbia 2379-D
This song was written by Walter Donaldson (1893 - 1947) who was one of the top composers of American popular music with a huge output during the 1920s with numerous hits including "My Buddy", "My Blue Heaven", "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby", "At Sundown," "Love Me or Leave Me", "Makin' Whoopee", "Little White Lies", "My Mammy" and "Your Driving Me Crazy." He collaborated often with lyricists like Gus Kahn, Sam Lewis, Joe Young, Edgar Leslie, Johnny Mercer, and Harold Adamson. In his early years he worked for a New York brokerage firm then as a pianist for a music publisher. During World War I he entertained the troops 19 months at Camp Upton, N Y and later worked for Irving Berlin's publishing company, then his own company, Donaldson, Douglas and Gumble in 1928. In the early 1930s he worked in Hollywood as a composer-arranger for movies.

[@geraldjampol3120]

Lombardo had lots of staying power. When I was much younger it was an annual ritual to tune into Guy Lombardo on New Year's Eve as he ushered in the new year.

[@janicejackson1039]

Guy, families are still missed of heart, they wre down home good folks in many cases they were not of blood but better than kin. New year yuk. Give us repeats of guys new years to that of unfeeling junk on tv that they have now. What is 2021 it's the love Lombardi's had for all folks and that is what it is since 1954 wholesome, humble lombardos to that of unfeeling junk on tv now. Yes, I said junk. Happy new year folks hope the me mes out there without masks dont get ya but if they do its Guys songs you want to hear to that of throbbing song banging at your ears when you need the warmth of Guys band to carry onward. J

[@jourwalis-8875]

"The sweetest music this side of heaven"

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent with very good interesting photos

[@baghend]

as always, thanks for this- best dance band ever. If not for folks like you making the effort to post, these old tunes would be forgotten even more than they are. -Bill

[@miltonmcmahan185]

The year i was born, love this music

[@ericellis3506]

Smooth as silk.

[@janettewalker3991]

Wonderful family of talented boys - wonderful orchestra, vocals and songs. Fine pics.

[@Crockerish]

I cant help not liking this,and Carmen sounds so good on the vocal.

[@davidtodora6173]

Beautiful well done and arranged milestone of music of early Big Bands

[@Crockerish]

Such nice pictures of Guy and his brothers,a true Lombardo song too.

[@bill3murr]

thank you for another delightful, danceable Lombardo....love the tune and , of course, carmen's vocal.

[@konradgeorges211]

J'adore...je télécharge car pratiquement introuvable en France !

[@jourwalis-8875]

Talented boys!

[@pomeroy40144]

Carmen is my heartthrob. Thanks for this. Sigh......

[@roybo1930]

OH! MY DEAR LORD! I LOVE THIS!!! The way they treat the Melody, All through the song, Starting at 0:14 Makes it just BEAUTIFUL! Sort of a 1931 Sublime sound that gives me chills! Gus Arnheim did a FANTASTIC song from 1931 with this feel to it titled "Weary"!

[@georgemcclinchy796]

I agree with your thoughts on this song. They even modulate to a different key towards the end which Lombardo seldom does.

[@HarborGuy]

Never quite while our ahead lol - Guy had the same sound for all of his career which spanned some 30 yrs.........and he never sounded different............He played to the dancers and they loved it....

[@FLAVIOFLASH10]

AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

[@aliciaelcirapierri9338]

Que bello, que dulzura. ❤️

[@baghend]

@bsgs98 I'm with you. For me, the definitive sound of the '30's. p.s. love your stuff!

[@fredjmp]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. I put in my fav.

[@baghend]

@bsgs98 Yes- my favourite Lombardos are all the ones from the 30's with Carmen as vocalist- though Lebert did a fine job on "I'm Still Caring" Nice arrangements, and Carmen's sweet sax. Thanks for these pics- seeing Guy with grey hair- always a bit of s shock, seeing those old pics of the boys with that beautiful black hair. -Bill

[@user-ld7fo1ir8j]

Я обожаю эту мелодию.

[@idasynco]

Just heard Grace's version, now Lombardo. Love the guitar addition here. I love the way the dance bands wrap it up with a percussive finality. Dance is over, back to your martini! haahaa