Frank Sinatra is considered a legend in the film and music industries in the United States. He was well-known for his work as a singer and actor in movies. One of the illustrious members of the “Rat Pack,” which also included Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Frank Sinatra separated apart from the rest of the group even though the others in the band were skilled at improvising and entertaining large groups of music lovers.
He amassed a discography of sixty albums and achieved number-one success with a handful of singles. The following is a list of the ten albums that critics and fans agree are Frank Sinatra’s best of all time.
1. In The Wee Small Hours
No matter where you go, “In The Wee Small Hours” is routinely acknowledged as Frank Sinatra’s greatest album. The album was published in 1955 when Sinatra was at the height of his popularity as a crooner and film actor.
The record was so well-liked that it was listed in a staggering 426 charts. In 1955, it was rated as the best. It’s overall 1950s decade performance washed out to number five, which is quite impressive.
The “In The Wee Small Hours” album is now ranked 39th overall. Even though Frank Sinatra would create 60 albums throughout his career, none were as popular as this debut effort.
None of them were failures, but this was Sinatra’s apogee, the point at which his popularity peaked before he went on to become an American icon.
2. Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Antonio Carlos Jobim and Francis Albert Sinatra both made significant musical contributions. An American singer, actor, and producer with the name Sinatra. He was praised for his distinctive voice, impeccable phrasing, and heartfelt songs.
Brazilian pianist, performer, and composer Jobim invented bossa nova. His melodic and harmonic inventions in Brazilian jazz were well known.
Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim collaborated on the 1967 album “Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim.” The bossa nova orchestration of Jobim was mixed with Sinatra’s smooth vocals on the CD.
In the US, the album helped spread bossa nova’s popularity. It also demonstrated Sinatra’s adaptability and openness to experimenting with new music.
Some of the album’s standout tracks are “The Girl from Ipanema,” “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” and “How Insensitive.” These songs are now covered by many artists.
3. Only The Lonely
Frank Sinatra initially released the well-known song “Only the Lonely” in 1958. Roy Orbison and Joe Melson wrote the song, while Lee Hazlewood oversaw its production.
The sad ballad is about a person who is feeling lost and alone following a breakup. The sumptuous orchestration and Sinatra’s sincere vocals give the song a sense of emotional depth and vulnerability.
With two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Sinatra’s song “Only the Lonely” became a huge hit. Additionally, Sinatra was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for the song.
Many musicians have covered “Only the Lonely” over the years, including Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and The Four Seasons. The song is still a staple of the Great American Songbook and a testament to Sinatra’s legendary status as a pop music master interpreter.
4. Come Fly With Me
Frank Sinatra initially released the well-known song “Come Fly with Me” in 1957. Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, two of Sinatra’s regular writing partners, came up with the tune.
In this upbeat, swing-style song, Sinatra invites the audience to set aside their cares and embark with him on an adventure filled with romance. The song is the ideal anthem for travelers and daydreamers alike because the words conjure up ideas of far-off places and thrilling adventures.
As one of Sinatra’s hallmark songs, “Come Fly with Me” was played frequently during his career. The song served as the album’s title tune and went on to become one of Sinatra’s most well-known and enduring albums.
5. Songs For Young Lovers
Frank Sinatra’s studio album “Songs for Young Lovers” was published in 1954. The record is noteworthy for being Sinatra’s first full-length release and for including a selection of swing songs and ballads about love.
The enduring ballad “My Funny Valentine,” which became synonymous with Sinatra, starts the CD. The songs “It’s Easy to Remember” and “You Go to My Head,” which both highlight Sinatra’s mellow, private singing, are other standouts.
Two of Sinatra’s longtime collaborators, Voyle Gilmore and Nelson Riddle, worked on “Songs for Young Lovers” as producers and arrangers. The record was a commercial and critical triumph, helping to make Sinatra a well-known figure in the pop music industry.
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6. Nice ‘n’ Easy
Frank Sinatra was the first artist to record the song “Nice ‘n’ Easy” in 1960. Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and Lew Spence contributed to the composition of the song. This song was included in Sinatra’s album of the same name, which was published in 1960 and titled “Nice ‘n’ Easy.”
The tune is a laid-back, easy-listening ballad that features Sinatra’s silky voice as well as a laid-back, easy-listening melody. It has achieved legendary status and throughout the years has been covered by a plethora of different artists.
7. Sinatra-Basie” An Historic Musical First
Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra collaborated on the CD “Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First“. Reprise Records issued it the same year it was recorded, in 1962.
The Count Basie Orchestra, under Basie’s direction, provides the big band sound for Sinatra’s vocals on the record. The record is regarded as a masterpiece and a turning point in Sinatra and Count Basie’s respective careers.
Popular songs including “Pennies from Heaven,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” are among those included in it. After receiving positive reviews, the record has gained popularity among Sinatra and Count Basie fans.
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8. September Of My Years
Frank Sinatra’s studio album “September of My Years” was released in 1965. Sonny Burke and Gordon Jenkins worked together to produce the record. It includes songs that discuss the passage of time and growing older.
In 1966, the title tune, “September of My Years,” took home a Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance. It Was a Very Good Year, Hello, Young Lovers, and “The Man in the Looking Glass” are a few of the album’s other standout songs.
The record was well-received by critics and is frequently regarded as one of Sinatra’s best. It is a moving and introspective piece that highlights Sinatra’s skill as a song interpretation.
9. Come Dance With Me
In 1959, a single titled “Come Dance With Me” was made available. At this juncture in his career, Sinatra was performing at the very top of his game. He was one of the most gifted crooners in the business and had already established himself as one of the most successful film stars in the industry.
This album featured music that would later become some of his most successful singles ever released. It was a swinging project that featured the song “Come Dance With Me” as the title track.
Other romantic songs on the project included “Bangles & Beads” and “Cheek to Cheek.” The project was tempered by the songs “Day In-Day Out” and “Dancing In The Dark.”
10. Sinatra At The Sands
Frank Sinatra’s live CD “Sinatra at the Sands” was recorded in 1966 at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with the Count Basie Orchestra. Sonny Burke and Quincy Jones collaborated on the album’s production.
It includes live renditions by Sinatra of well-known songs from his songbook, including “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
The synergy between Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra is captured on the record, along with the fervor and thrill of Sinatra’s live performances. The album is hailed for its exceptional sound quality and Sinatra and the Basie Orchestra’s superb performances, and it is largely regarded as one of the best by Sinatra.
Commercially successful and nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, “Sinatra at the Sands” took home the prize for Best Album Cover. Since then, the record has gained a reputation as a classic and a fan favorite.