Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Melody of Love

First recorded by The Edison Symphony Orchestra (1903).
Hit versions by Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra (US #2 1955), David Carroll & His Orchestra (US #9 1955), The Four Aces (US #11 1955), Frank Sinatra (US #19 1955), The Ink Spots (UK #10 1955), Jim Reeves (B-side C&W #10 1970).

From the wiki: “‘Melody of Love’ was originally written by Hans Engelmann and first recorded in 1903 by the Edison Symphony Orchestra, with lyrics added in 1954 by Tom Glazer (‘On Top of Spaghetti‘).

“An instrumental version recorded by Billy Vaughn in 1955, one of several instrumental and vocal versions released that year, became the highest-charting arrangement of ‘Melody of Love’ on the Billboard charts in 1955. Arrangements by David Carroll, the Four Aces, Frank Sinatra, and, in the UK, the Ink Spots, also charted.

“Vaughn’s recording first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on December 1, 1954 and it lasted 27 weeks on the chart, peaking at #2.

“In the United Kingdom, the arrangement by the US vocal quartet, the Ink Spots, was the sole hit version, charting at #10.

“In 1970, a Jim Reeves spoken-word recording, posthumously released, brought the song the country charts titled ‘Why Do I Love You (Melody Of Love)’ as the B-side to Reeves’ Top 10 Country single, ‘Nobody’s Food’.”

Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra, “Melody of Love” (1955):

David Carroll & His Orchestra, “Melody of Love” (1955):

The Four Aces, “Melody of Love” (1955):

Frank Sinatra, “Melody of Love” (1955):

The Ink Spots, “Melody of Love” (1955):

Jim Reeves, “Why Do I Love You (Melody Of Love)” (1970):

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