What A Difference A Day Makes

Maria Grever

Today's installment's about that old classic standard known by many jazz fans.  It's been recorded by dozens of performers over the years from Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and most recently by the likes of Jamie Cullum.

What most jazz fans probably don't know is the song began as "Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado." The bolero (with radically different lyrics from the English version) was written by María Grever (born Maria Joaquina de la Portilla Torres in Guanajuato).  She's considered the first Mexican woman to find success as a  composer.  Her other great songs include "Jurame" and "Volvere."  "Grever" was her husband's name (she married a rich oil executive who whisked her away to New York City).

The song was later refashioned as "What a Difference A Day Makes" with lyrics by Stanley Adams.  And this is how the song is credited to "Grever/Adams" on all the pressings.
Another bit of trivia about Adams: he also wrote the English lyrics to "La Cucaracha."

Here are videos of the song in the original and English versions.  First the Mexican/Puerto Rican trio Los Panchos iconic version of the original:

And here's the English version recorded by Dinah Washington: