My Favorite Cover Songs (189) "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered": Art Pepper, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinéad O'Connor, Anita O'Day

This song was written for a musical in 1940 by the golden songwriting duo who produced a mass of masterpieces that became standards: composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. The title's "bewitched" means "enchanted (captivated)," "bothered" means "troubled," and "bewildered" means "confused." The title is often shortened to "Bewitched." It is a song that expresses the feelings of a woman who is drowning in love, worrying, confused, and conflicted. She sings in a self-deprecating way about her foolish self, who is confused because she still loves him even though he is cold, laughs at her, and is never kind.

I first learned of this song through Art Pepper's (1925-82) album "Modern Art" (1956). Pepper's life was a battle with drugs, but this is a masterpiece from his prime.

I became particularly fond of this song after hearing the version by Brad Mehldau's (1970- ) piano trio. It is from the album "Songs: The Art of the Trio, Vol. 3" (1998).

This is from a duet album (2024) by two leading upright bassists, jazz bassist Christian McBride (1972- ) and Edgar Meyer (1960- ). It seems Mr. Meyer is primarily from the classical field.

These are versions by three magnificent female singers.
Ella Fitzgerald (1917-96), from the album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers And Hart Songbook" (1956). I feel a sense of security and motherly love in Ella's singing. Is that an exaggeration?

Sinéad O'Connor (1966-2023) from Ireland, from the album "Am I Not Your Girl?" (1992). Ms. O'Connor's covers of Prince and Elton John were also wonderful.

Anita O'Day (1919-2006), from the album "Swings Rodgers And Hart" (1960). O'Day's voice fits perfectly with the backing strings.