I May Never Pass This Way Again
| "I May Never Pass This Way Again" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Perry Como with the Ray Charles Singers and Mitchell Ayres orchestra | |
| Released | 1958 |
| Label | RCA Victor |
| Songwriter(s) | Murray Wizell, Irving Melcher |
"I May Never Pass This Way Again" is a popular song, written by Murray Wizell and Irving Melsher. Perry Como performed the song on his TV show in November 1957, but it was first a hit for Robert Earl in the UK, where it reached No. 14 in 1958.
Background
[edit]The lyrics were first written by Murray Wizell, who then asked Irving Melsher to write the music. Soon after the song was written, Wizell and Melsher then became engaged in a legal dispute over the ownership of the song.[1] The song was performed by Perry Como on his US TV show a number of times, first in November 1957;[2] The performance was well-received and generated some interest, but before Como could record it, British singer Robert Earl had recorded and released the song in the UK,[1] together with another version by Ronnie Hilton with the Michael Sammes Singers. Earl's version reached No. 14 on the UK chart in May 1958,[3] while Hilton's version reached No. 27.[4] Como's recording charted a month after the first two, peaking at No. 15 in the UK in June 1958.[5]
Como's version features the Ray Charles Singers and Mitchell Ayres' orchestra. The song was included in his 1958 album When You Come to the End of the Day.[6]
Other versions
[edit]The song was covered by other artists in 1958, including Dennis Lotis,[7] and Jo Stafford.[8]
Kate Smith recorded the song in 1965, on her gospel album, How Great Thou Art.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Copyright Row: A Hit Never Passed This Way Before". Billboard. June 9, 1958. p. 6.
- ^ Macfarlane, Malcolm; Crossland, Ken (2015). Perry Como: A Biography and Complete Career Record. McFarland. p. 204. ISBN 9781476600246.
- ^ "Robert Earl". The Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Ronnie Hilton". The Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Perry Como". The Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Billboard Spotlight Winners of the Week". Billboard. October 27, 1958. p. 24.
- ^ "Dennis Lotis & Tony Osborne & His Orchestra and The Rita Williams Singers - I May Never Pass This Way Again". Dutch Charts.
- ^ "Jo Stafford with Paul Westeon and His Orchestra - I May Never Pass This Way Again". Dutch Charts.
- ^ Discogs: Kate Smith - How Great Thou Art
