Cycles is a unique album from the legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, marking a late-mid point in his storied career. At the time, Sinatra had taken one of his longest breaks from recording. In July of 1968, he recorded two songs that were released as singles, both of which did well. The success prompted a rush to complete a full album in time for the Christmas season.

The album features Sinatra’s take on popular folk-rock songs of the era, including “Both Sides Now,” “By The Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Gentle on My Mind,” and others. Today’s track, “Little Green Apples,” was written by songwriter Bobby Russell and recorded by Sinatra on November 13, 1968. The arrangements were done by the great Don Costa while Bill Miller conducted the recordings.

Unlike other folks recording sessions, which were often highly isolated with bands working take after take to perfect tiny details, Sinatra’s sessions were almost like a private concert with minimal takes. Sinatra invited friends, stars, and other notable guests to be present in the room as he recorded, creating a unique atmosphere of camaraderie and intimacy.

On the back of the album cover, Hal Halverstadt, Director of Merchandising and Advertising for Warner Bros. Records, wrote:

“And the reason for it all: Sinatra. Cranking up the world with a fine and dandy Moody River. Shifting tempo ever so slightly to make the second take of Little Green Apples the one. Acting the perfectionist and deciding to scrap a not-quite-right Wait By the Fire (even though the cover of this album had already gone to press, listing the song). Making it all the way to Nashville and back with Gentle On My Mind. And in the short space of three hours turning asbestos baffles and canned green bean walls into rosewood.”

I hope you enjoy this great Sinatra track.

And I wake up in the morning with my hair down in my eyes
And she says ‘hi’, and I stumble to the breakfast table
While the kids are going off to school, goodbye
And she reaches out and takes my hand
Squeezes it, says, “How you feelin’ hon?”
And I look across at smiling lips
That warm my heart and see the morning sun

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And if that’s not lovin’ me, then all I’ve got to say
God didn’t make little green apples
It don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summer time
There’s no such thing as Dr. Seuss
Disneyland and Mother Goose is no nursery rhyme
God didn’t make those little green apples
And it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summer time
And when myself is feeling low
I think about her face aglow to ease my mind

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My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. Sorry if there are any mistakes.

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