In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

"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. Background Mann and Hilliard wrote it 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). Ella Fitzgerald, on the album Ella Fitzgerald Live at Mister Kelly's (recorded 1958/rel. 2007). Julie London, on the albums Around Midnight (1960), The Ultimate Collection (2006) Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, on the album Caravan (1962). Oscar Peterson, on the album The Trio - Live from Chicago London House (1962) Gerry Mulligan, on the album Night Lights (1963) Johnny Hartman, featured on the album I Just Dropped By to Say Hello (1963). Frank Sinatra, on the album Sinatra's Sinatra (1963) Astrud Gilberto, on the album I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do (1969). Carly Simon, on her album My Romance (1990). Wynton Marsalis, on his 1990 album, "Standard Time Vol 3: The Resolution of Romance" released by CBS Records, Inc. with his father, the late Ellis Marsalis, on piano. 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).