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MEMORIES OF YOU [performance by Frank Sinatra] was written in 1930 by pianist Euble Blake and lyricist Andy Razaf. introduced in the musical revue 'Blackbirds of 1930," the tune returned to Broadway in "Eubie," a biographical show based on the life and times of co-writer Blake. Louis Armstrong had the first hit with this song in 1930; since then it's been revived by the Ink Spots (1940) and the Four Coins (1955). Frank Sinatra (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra) recorded the version featured on our sampler in 1956. Surprisingly, Sinatra's take on the song was not commercially released until the '70s. Rosemary Clooney (backed by the big band of Benny Goodman), had a 1956 hit with this ballad, which was featured in the Universal Pictures film The Benny Goodman Story.
Christine, Phyllis and Dorothy - The McGuire Sisters - hit No. 13 in 1956 with the (Theme From) PICNIC [performance by the McGuire Sisters], a vocal adaptation of the familiar title melody from the film which starred Kim Novak. TV personality Steve Allen came up with the lyrics after the movie had already been released. in the same year, bandleaders Morris Staloff and George Cates each issued Top 5 instrumental medleys of the (Theme From) Picnic interpolated with another soundtrack song, "Moonglow," as used on the soundtrack of the film classic.
MY PRAYER [performance by The Platters] showcases one of the most haunting and dramatic melodies in popular music. Based on an instrumental by French composer Georges Boulanger, famed lyricist Jimmy Kennedy (whose other credits include "South Of The Border" and "Red Sails In The Sunset") added the poignant lyric in 1939. Later that year, the ballad became a simultaneous hit for the Ink Spots (whose version climbed to No. 3) and Glenn Miller (who reached No. 2). My Prayer was revived in 1956 by the Platters, whose emotional rendition soared to No. 1 for five weeks.
Also in 1956, MEMORIES OF YOU by Rosemary Clooney was released in January and reached peak chart position #52.
In the same month, Hugo Winterhalter released MEMORIES OF YOU, and his version reached peak chart position #63.
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