"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.
| "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 |
Background
editThe 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
editThe 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