Sam's Song (song)
"Sam's Song (The Happy Tune)" | |
---|---|
Song | |
Published | May 1, 1950 |
Released | May 1950 |
Genre | Traditional pop |
Composer(s) | Lew Quadling |
Lyricist(s) | Jack Elliott |
"Sam's Song (The Happy Tune)" is an American
Recording history
The first recording of the song, released in May 1950 by
On June 23, 1950, Bing Crosby's son Gary Crosby recorded the song for Decca with his father, along with "Play a Simple Melody" as the A-side, making his record debut at the age of 17.[9][10] After its release in July, the Crosbys' recording stayed on the Billboard Best Sellers chart for 19 weeks, peaking at #3.[11] It was also a hit on the Radio and Jukebox charts, peaking at #3 on both.[12][13] The recording was also ranked #4 on Billboard's list of the top popular records of 1950 according to retail sales.[4]
The next recording to chart was in 1962, when Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. released the song as the B-side of a Reprise single, which peaked at #94 on the Hot 100.[5] The A-side was Davis' duet with Frank Sinatra, "Me and My Shadow," and both tracks include banter between the singers and comical changes to the lyrics.[14] Their recording of "Sam's Song" stayed on the Hot 100 for three weeks.[5]
References
- ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries 1950 Published Music Jan-Dec (Vol 4 Pt 5A ed.). Washington D. C.: U.S. Govt. Print. Off. 1950. p. 196. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ "Jukebox chart run Joe "Fingers" Carr Sam's Song". www.racpro.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts". Billboard (Vol 62 No 26 ed.). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1 July 1950. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ a b "The Year's Top Popular Records". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 13 January 1951. p. 18. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "Sammy Davis Jr. Sam's Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ISBN 9780415937009. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ "Song: Sam's Song written by Lew Quadling, Jack Elliott". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ "Best Sellers chart run Bing Crosby Sam's Song (The Happy Tune)". www.racpro.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ "Bing's Boy, Gary, Makes Record Debut". Billboard (Vol 62 No 26 ed.). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1 July 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ISBN 9781476610382.
- ^ "Best Sellers chart run Bing Crosby Sam's Song (The Happy Tune)". www.racpro.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ "Radio Popularity". Billboard. Vol. 62, no. 34. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 26 August 1950. p. 26. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ "Juke Box Record Plays". Billboard. Vol. 62, no. 41. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 14 October 1950. p. 32. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ISBN 9780857160881.