Hey there fellow classic pop music lover! If you‘re a fan of Frank Sinatra‘s smooth as silk vocals and all-around charm, you‘ve probably found yourself wondering: Did Frank Sinatra actually write any of his own songs?
It‘s a reasonable question when it comes to the legendary Chairman of the Board. After all, so many of Frank‘s huge hits—"My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon," "Something Stupid"—were written by other brilliant musical minds.
But even though songwriting wasn‘t his main gig, Sinatra did craft a small handful of compositions over his storied six-decade career. For an interpretive genius like Frank, writing music from time to time allowed him to showcase his creativity and artistry beyond that recognizable crooning voice.
In this article, we‘ll break down Ol‘ Blue Eyes‘ relatively unknown songwriting achievements. You‘ll learn about his approach to writing music, his noteworthy compositions, famous tunes he turned down, and how his legacy as a singer eclipsed his work with a pen.
So grab your fedora, spark up a cigarette, and let‘s dive into Frank‘s world of songwriting!
Frank‘s Early Songs: Dabbling in Writing
Long before he sang the standards we know and love, Frank Sinatra got his start in music by singing with The Hoboken Four as a teenager in the 1930s. After catching a break singing on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show, Frank later joined the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey orchestras in the late 1930s.
It was during his time with Tommy Dorsey that a twenty-something Frank Sinatra made his first attempts at songwriting. In 1941, he co-wrote a tune called "This Love of Mine" along with Henry W. Sanicola and Frank Miller. This jazz number showed Frank flexing his lyrical muscles and developing his silky vocal delivery.
Over the next few years, Frank occasionally worked on tunes like "Mr. Success" in 1948 and "Take My Love" in 1949. But his early original songs failed to make major waves on the charts.
Frank was still finding his voice, both as a writer and a singer in those years. But soon enough, his star would rise and Ol‘ Blue Eyes would become a singular sensation.
Frank‘s Biggest Songwriting Hit: "I‘m a Fool to Want You"
Frank had dabbled in writing over the years, but 1951 marked his biggest triumph penning a song. At the time, he was newly signed to Capitol Records and his career was skyrocketing to new heights.
That year, Frank teamed up with Jack Wolf and Joel Herron to compose a torch song filled with ache and regret called "I‘m a Fool to Want You." The lyrics captured the heartbreak of clinging to a failed romance and desire for a lost love.
With lines like "I‘m a fool to want you/To want a love that can‘t be true/A love that‘s there for others too," the song struck an emotional chord with listeners. Recorded as a single, Frank‘s vulnerable performance made it a hit and his only self-written tune to crack the Billboard charts.
The song became a signature ballad for Frank and highlighted his talents as both a compelling storyteller and songwriter. When inspiration struck, he could craft poignant lyrical phrases with ease. "I‘m a Fool to Want You" showed Frank at the peak of his songwriting powers.
Other Notable Sinatra Compositions
While "I‘m a Fool to Want You" remained Frank‘s songwriting high point, he did co-author a handful of other memorable tunes over the years:
"Mistletoe and Holly" (1957) – A cheerful Christmas song full of holiday warmth and whimsy.
"Witchcraft" (1957) – A snappy, playfully jazzy number about being hopelessly enchanted by someone‘s romantic spell.
"Empty Tables" (1958) – A melancholy ode to loneliness and despair over a failed relationship. "Empty tables, empty chairs/Who wants to sit here in solitude?" Frank sang with a palpable sadness.
"How Are Ya‘ Fixed for Love?" (1959) – A flirty, upbeat tune all about putting on the charm and seducing someone who catches your eye. Vintage Sinatra cheekiness.
Though these charming tunes didn‘t become huge commercial hits, they allowed Frank creative freedom to showcase different aspects of his songwriting. From festive Christmas cheer to sultry swagger, Frank could capture a range of moods in his lyrics.
Frank‘s Selective Approach: Quality Over Quantity
One thing that becomes clear when you look at Frank Sinatra‘s songwriting catalog is that quality meant more to him than quantity. He wasn‘t churning out albums full of original songs year after year.
In total, Frank is officially credited as a co-writer on just 7 songs over his six decade career. That might not seem like a lot for such an iconic artist, but Frank was extremely selective about writing music.
Rather than writing lots of so-so tunes, Frank seemed to wait for those moments of true inspiration to produce songs he felt were meaningful. As a consummate perfectionist, he refused to put out mediocre material that didn‘t live up to his high standards.
Frank also preferred collaborating with professional songwriters who understood his artistic sensibilities. Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen, Jule Styne, and others contributed melodies that perfectly suited Frank‘s poignant lyrics. Their partnerships resulted in songs that played to Frank‘s strengths as both a writer and a vocal interpreter.
The Chairman of the Board‘s Interpretive Powers
Now, it‘s true Frank Sinatra didn‘t write the vast majority of songs he performed. But his genius as an interpreter of lyrics made him stand out from all the rest. He had an uncanny knack for making songs his own.
In fact, Frank‘s versions of songs like "Fly Me to the Moon," "Summer Wind," and "One for My Baby" eclipsed even the originals. His impeccable phrasing, delivery, tone, and ability to turn lyrics into riveting mini-dramas made any song instantly Sinatra-fied!
So while he didn‘t pen the lyrics to his biggest hits, Frank became a master of storytelling through song. With just a few subtle inflections or vocals flourishes, he could wring every last drop of emotion from someone else‘s words. Now that takes serious skill.
According to music historian Dr. Janet Perr, "Sinatra‘s voice seduced millions, conveying hope, romance, despair, and elation through brilliant phrasing that transformed lyrics into emotionally charged personal statements." That about sums up his way with a song!
Famous Songwriters Who Penned Songs for Frank
Frank Sinatra‘s artistry inspired scores of musicians who longed to have their material recorded by the Chairman. But even as famous artists clamored to have Frank sing their songs, he remained highly selective.
Paul McCartney of The Beatles wrote the upbeat number “Angel Face” hoping Frank would record it. But Ol‘ Blue Eyes passed on that opportunity.
Singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson sent Sinatra a demo for his ballad “One” which later became a huge hit for Three Dog Night. Again, Frank declined.
While it might seem crazy to reject songs from legendary writers, Frank simply didn‘t feel those tunes suited his style. He chose songs based on personal connection rather than star power name value alone.
The Sinatra/Presley Duet That Never Happened
Of all the missed chances in Frank Sinatra‘s career, one collaboration that never coming to fruition stays fascinating: a potential duet with Elvis Presley.
As the two most successful solo musical acts of the 1950s, a Sinatra/Presley pairing had blockbuster appeal written all over it. Early in Elvis‘s meteoric rise, Frank was unwilling to sing with the hip-swiveling rock n‘ roller.
But later in life, Frank admitted regret at not collaborating with Elvis and acknowledged his massive talent. Alas, with Elvis‘s tragic early death in 1977, this dream duo performance joined the ranks of great music "what ifs?"
The Chairman‘s Lasting Legacy
While Frank Sinatra wore many hats—singer, actor, Las Vegas mainstay—his songwriting tended to be overshadowed by his golden voice and commanding stage presence. But taking time to craft thoughtful lyrics showed the depth of Frank‘s musicality.
Very few artists could excel at writing and flawlessly interpreting the work of professional songwriters. But Frank Sinatra had that dual gift, and he shared it with the world in his own carefree, classy way.
Even all these years after his death in 1998, Frank‘s singular style remains influential. His holiday standards still soundtrack Christmas. His duets with contemporaries set the template for collaborations today. And let‘s not forget all those "Sinatra-inspired" neo-traditional crooners keeping his sound alive.
Frank may be best remembered for the songs he sang, not wrote. But numbers like "I‘m a Fool to Want You" and "Mistletoe and Holly" gave us a glimpse into the man behind the music. So next time you hear a Frank Sinatra classic, take a moment to appreciate his talents as both vocalist and part-time songwriter extraordinaire.
FAQs About Frank Sinatra‘s Songwriting Career
How many songs did Frank Sinatra write in total?
In total, Frank Sinatra is credited as a co-writer on just 7 songs over his decades-long career. Some of his best known songwriting contributions are "I‘m a Fool to Want You" and the holiday classic "Mistletoe and Holly."
What was the first song Sinatra wrote?
Frank Sinatra‘s first written composition was "This Love of Mine", penned in 1941 alongside co-writers Henry W. Sanicola and Frank Miller. It was recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra while Sinatra was still making a name for himself as a young vocalist.
Did Sinatra compose any songs later in his career?
Yes, some of Sinatra‘s later songwriting efforts include "Empty Tables" in 1958 and "How Are Ya‘ Fixed for Love" in 1959. So while the bulk of his writing was done in the 1940s and 1950s, Frank did occasionally contribute original songs in his later decades as well.
Which legendary artists wanted Sinatra to sing their songs?
Paul McCartney of The Beatles wrote "Angel Face" in hopes Sinatra would record it, but he declined. Fellow singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson sent Frank a demo of "One" that became a hit for Three Dog Night when he rejected it.
Why didn‘t Sinatra write more music?
Frank Sinatra was an avid perfectionist who only wanted to release material that met his high standards. He also preferred collaborating with professional songwriters whose composing skills complemented his vocals. Overall, Frank was highly selective about what songs he penned.
I hope this gives you some fun insights into Frank Sinatra‘s relatively unknown songwriting talents, my fellow music fan! Let me know if you have any other Ol‘ Blue Eyes trivia up your sleeve. And thanks for letting me wax poetic about the Chairman for a bit—he truly was one of a kind.
