"Say It Isn't So" is a popular torch song by Irving Berlin, published in 1932. The song was written when Berlin was suffering a loss of confidence following several setbacks, and he initially placed the song in a drawer, feeling that it would not be successful. However, one of Berlin's employees, Max Winslow, heard it, and on his own initiative, took it to Rudy Vallée, who was then a major star on radio. Vallee sang it on his radio show and it became an immediate hit.[1]
George Olsen and His Orchestra released a version in 1932 that reached No. 1, and other popular versions in 1932 were by Ozzie Nelson, Connee Boswell and Vallée.[2][3] Alfredo Antonini and his orchestra collaborated with Victoria Cordova and John Serry Sr. to record the work for Muzak in the 1940s.[4]
Cover versions
The song has been recorded many times by different artists. Notable versions include:
- Connee Boswell (1932, No. 10)[5]
- Bing Crosby recorded the song for his album Bing Crosby's Treasury - The Songs I Love (1968 version).
- Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra (1932, #8)[6]
- Layton & Johnstone - Columbia DB982 (1932)
- Annette Hanshaw - Banner – 32563 (1932)
- Bob and Alf Pearson - Imperial 2816 (1933)
- Julie London on her 1955 LP album, Julie Is Her Name Vol 1.[7]
- Dinah Washington for her album In the Land of Hi-Fi (1956).[8]
- Teddi King - A 1957 recording for a RCA-Victor,[9] and'Round Midnight (2008)
- Andy Williams for his album, Lonely Street (1959).[10]
- Johnny Maestro - Released as a solo single while he was lead singer of The Crests (1960)[11]
- Stan Kenton - The Romantic Approach (1961)[12]
- Aretha Franklin for her album Laughing on the Outside (1963)[13]
- Harry James - One Night Stand With Harry James on Tour in '64 (Joyce LP 1074, 1979)[14]
- Stacey Kent - The Boy Next Door (2003)[15]
- Billie Holiday - Lady Sings the Blues (2010 box set)[16]
- Lucy Maunder for her album, Songs in the Key of Black (2012).[17]
- The Caretaker, sampling the song for a track of his last release Everywhere at the End of Time (2016–2019).[18]
References
- ^ Bergreen, Laurence (1990). As Thousands Cheer - The Life of Irving Berlin. New York: Viking Penguin Inc. pp. 305–306. ISBN 0-340-53486-9.
- ^ George Olsen and His Orchestra, "Say It Isn't So" Chart Position Retrieved September 14, 2013
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 575. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ Victoria Cordova and the Alfredo Antonini Orchrestra perform "Say It Isn't So" as archived at The Library of Congress Online Catalog at catalog.loc.gov
- ^ Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, "Connee Boswell" Chart Position Retrieved September 14, 2013
- ^ Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, "Say It Isn't So" Chart Position Retrieved September 14, 2013
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 465.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Nathanael Cooper (14 June 2012). "Lucy Maunder brings her love of old-world music to Noosa Longweekend". Courier Mail. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- ^ Padua, Pat (January 23, 2017). "The Caretaker: Everywhere at the End of Time". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
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