Chasing Shadows is a 1935 popular jazz tune with lyrics by Benny Davis and music by Abner Silver. It was published in London by The Victoria Music Publishing Co Ltd and sung by Florence Oldham in the Royal Follies at Central Pier, Blackpool, with Oldham’s image on the sheet cover. The song tells of longing and chasing love that remains elusive, with the chorus recalling “Chasing shadows, chasing love dreams in vain” and the opening line “Life without a romance is a life that’s sad.” It was issued as sheet music for voice and piano (often with guitar) around 1935, and U.S. Crawford Music Corporation issued a version as well; the piece is regarded as jazz/pop from the 1930s. A later 1957 Capitol Records LP by Jackie Davis uses the same title, keeping the tune in circulation as a 1950s jazz offering.
