St. James Infirmary - Louis Armstrong

This is, hands down, one of my favorite Louis Armstrong performances. He didn’t write it, it was performed several time in the 1920s and 30s. The song is typically about an unfortunate young man who dies penniless and alone, but the reason changes by performer. It was performed by Billie Holiday, Artie Shaw, Lou Rawls, the White Stripes and countless others. There’s also an insufferable version recorded by Eric Clapton, but there’s no way I’m linking you to it. You really should read the history of this song, courtesy of Rob Walker.

Set down on a long white table,
So sweet, so cold, so fair.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her.

When you get to the 3:20 mark, lean back, close your eyes and revel in the somber horns. It’s really a funeral dirge. Also make sure to watch the amazing cartoon of this song by Cab Calloway.