Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: Michael Johnson

Almost Like Being in Love

First performed and recorded by David Brooks & Marion Bell (1947).
Hit versions by Mildred Bailey (US #21 1947), Mary Martin (US #21 1947), Frank Sinatra (US #20 1947), Gene Kelly, (1954), Michael Johnson (US #32/MOR #4 1978).
Also recorded by Lester Young (1952), Nat “King” Cole (1953), Frank Sinatra (1961), Shirley Bassey (1979).

From the wiki: “‘Almost Like Being in Love’ was written by the songwriting team of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner in 1947, for the musical Brigadoon. The song was first performed on Broadway and recorded by David Brooks and Marion Bell from the original cast. It would later be performed by Gene Kelly in the 1954 film version of Brigadoon.

“Mildred Bailey first charted ‘Almost Like Being in Love’ in 1947, along with an equally-popular cover by Mary Martin. Frank Sinatra recorded two popular versions: first in 1947 and, again, in 1961 for the album Come Swing With Me, the version generally heard today. Lester Young’s instrumental cover was released in 1952; Nat ‘King’ Cole recorded his version in 1953, a recording used years later, in 1993, for the soundtrack of Groundhog Day.

“‘Almost Like Being in Love’ was revived, as a downbeat ballad, in 1978 by singer Michael Johnson. British singing sensation Shirley Bassey covered Johnson’s arrangement in 1979.”

This Night Won’t Last Forever

Written and first recorded by Bill LaBounty (US #65/MOR #46/CAN #81 1978).
Other hit versions by Michael Johnson (US #19/MOR #5/CAN #9 1979), Sawyer Brown (US #109/C&W #6/CAN #11 1997).

From the wiki: “‘This Night Won’t Last Forever’ was written by Bill LaBounty and was originally recorded by him in 1978, charting in the lower-third of the Billboard Hot 100. One year later, Michael Johnson covered the song and took it to #19 on the same chart.

“Sawyer Brown charted ‘This Night Won’t Last Forever’ Top-10 on the Country music chart in 1997.”