I Gotta Right to Swing
Sammy Davis Jr. · 1960
29 min · 11 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of swing, jazz, and blues that showcases Davis's charismatic vocal delivery and effortless charm.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Lady Is a Tramp Start here — This track exemplifies Davis’s smooth vocal style and playful interpretation, making it a standout highlight of the album that resonates with classic jazz standards.
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I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues — With its emotional depth, this song allows Davis to showcase his rich baritone while addressing themes of heartache, embodying the blues tradition.
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There Is No Greater Love — Davis delivers a heartfelt rendition that highlights his ability to infuse personal emotion into a timeless love ballad, making it memorable and impactful.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances and engaging arrangements, though it follows familiar jazz and blues structures.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lively track that sets a swinging tempo, followed by several tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove.
- Davis's vocal delivery often features playful phrasing and dynamic shifts, particularly in the way he emphasizes certain syllables.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements between Davis's vocals and the instrumental sections, enhancing the interactive feel of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- early energy for lively moments
- swinging rhythms for upbeat vibes
- sing-along participation with friends
- short bursts of joyful sound
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lengthy introspective pieces
- prefer modern production styles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Celebrates the swing era and showcases Davis's charm, loved by dedicated fans.
- Career context
- By the time 'I Gotta Right to Swing' was released in 1960, Sammy Davis Jr. had already established himself as a multi-talented performer through his work with the Rat Pack and various Broadway productions. This album followed his notable appearances in films like 'Ocean's 11' (1960), further solidifying his status as a household name and showcasing his wide-ranging appeal across different entertainment mediums.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Frank Sinatra· Nat King Cole· Tony Bennett
Tracklist
- 1 The Lady Is a Tramp Start here 4:20
- 2 I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues 3:12
- 3 Get on the Right Track Baby 2:48
- 4 Do Nothin' 'til You Hear From Me 3:18
- 5 I Got a Woman 4:30
- 6 There Is No Greater Love 2:31
- 7 Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You 3:50
- 8 This Little Girl of Mine 1:57
- 9 Till Then
- 10 Face to Face
- 11 Mess Around 2:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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