| "Say It Isn't So" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by George Olsen and His Orchestra | ||||
| Released | 1932 | |||
| Genre | Popular | |||
| Label | Victor Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Irving Berlin | |||
| George Olsen and His Orchestra singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Say It Isn't So" is a popular 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[2] and other popular versions in 1932 were by Ozzie Nelson, Connee Boswell and Rudy Vallée.[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
It has been recorded many times by many artists. Notable versions include:
- Connee Boswell (1932, #10)[5]
- Bing Crosby recorded the song for his album Bing Crosby's Treasury - The Songs I Love (1968 version).
- Layton & Johnstone - Columbia DB982 (1932)
- Bob and Alf Pearson - Imperial 2816 (1933)
- Johnny Maestro - Released as a solo single while he was lead singer of The Crests (1960)
- Aretha Franklin for her album Laughing on the Outside (1962)
- Billie Holiday - Lady Sings the Blues (2010 box set)
- Harry James - One Night Stand With Harry James on Tour in '64 (Joyce LP 1074, 1979)
- Stacey Kent - The Boy Next Door (2003)
- Stan Kenton - The Romantic Approach (1961)
- Teddi King - 'Round Midnight (2008)
- Julie London on her 1955 LP album, Julie Is Her Name.
- Lucy Maunder for her album, Songs in the Key of Black (2012).[6]
- Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra (1932, #8)[7]
- Dinah Washington for her album In the Land of Hi-Fi (1956).
- Andy Williams for his album, Lonely Street (1959).
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
- ^ Nathanael Cooper (14 June 2012). "Lucy Maunder brings her love of old-world music to Noosa Longweekend". Courier Mail. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- ^ Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, "Say It Isn't So" Chart Position Retrieved September 14, 2013
External links
- Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics