In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

"In the Wee Small Hours"
Song by Frank Sinatra from the album In the Wee Small Hours
Released	1955
Recorded	February 17, 1955
Genre	Traditional pop
Length	3:00
Label	Capitol Records
Writer	Bob Hilliard
Composer	David Mann
Producer	Voyle Gilmore
In the Wee Small Hours track listing
"In the Wee Small Hours" (1) "Mood Indigo" (2)

"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" is a 1955 popular song composed by David Mann, with lyrics by Bob Hilliard. It was introduced as the title track of Frank Sinatra's 1955 album In the Wee Small Hours.

It was composed by Mann and Hilliard during a post-midnight session at Hilliard’s New Jersey home. Mann was about to depart for New York when Hilliard insisted he remain to try some impromptu songwriting. Mann reluctantly agreed and eventually came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote a lyric.

Recordings

• Johnny Mathis, on the album Wonderful Wonderful (1957).
• Andy Williams, on the album Lonely Street (1959).
• Julie London, on the album Around Midnight (1960).
• Johnny Hartman, featured on the album I Just Dropped By to Say Hello (1963).
• Carly Simon, on her album My Romance (1990).
• Rosemary Clooney, on At Long Last (with the Count Basie Orchestra) (1998).
• Daniel Matto, on his 2010 release I'm Old Fashioned.
• Ronnie Milsap, on his 2004 album Just for a Thrill.
• Dave Van Norden, featured in The Matador (2005).
• Nanci Griffith, on her 2001 album, Clock Without Hands.
• Jamie Cullum, on his album Pointless Nostalgic.
• Chris Botti, on his album Slowing Down the World (1999), featuring Sting on vocals.
• John Mayer with Chris Botti on The Late Show with David Letterman on Thanksgiving Day, 2008.
• Barbra Streisand has covered the song twice. On her 1991 retrospective, Just For the Record, Barbra sang a medley of "When You Gotta Go" and "Wee Small Hours of the Morning" (from a 1969 live performance). In 2009, Streisand recorded a new, studio version of "Wee Small Hours" for her album, Love is the Answer, produced by jazz artist Diana Krall.
• Liza Minnelli, on her 1996 album Gently.
• Kurt Elling, on his 2007 release Nightmoves, as a medley with "Leaving Again" (Keith Jarrett).