Be My Love
"Be My Love" | |
---|---|
Single by Mario Lanza | |
Published | 1950 |
Recorded | June 27, 1950 |
Label | RCA |
Composer(s) | Nicholas Brodszky |
Lyricist(s) | Sammy Cahn |
"Be My Love" is a popular song with lyrics by Sammy Cahn and music by Nicholas Brodszky. Published in 1950, it was written for Mario Lanza, who sang it with Kathryn Grayson in the 1950 movie The Toast of New Orleans.[1] The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950 but lost out to "Mona Lisa". He recorded it on June 27, 1950, with Ray Sinatra's orchestra.[2]
Lanza's 1950 recording of the song (released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 10-1561) was his first million-seller,[1] eventually selling over two million copies.[3] It was on the Billboard charts for 34 weeks, going all the way to number one.[4] It was the theme song for Lanza's radio program, The Mario Lanza Show (1951–52). It eventually became so firmly linked to him that he wearied of it and resorted to spoofing it in private.[5]
Other versions[]
- Ray Anthony's rendition of "Be My Love" (Capitol F1352) also charted in 1951, peaking at No. 13.[6]
- Connie Francis recorded "Be My Love" in 1964 for her motion picture Looking For Love and for the subsequent soundtrack album.
- Mel Carter released a version in 1967 which reached #23 in the Adult Contemporary category.[7]
- Cheryl Bentyne recorded it for her 2006 album, The Book of Love.
References[]
- ^ a b Mannering, Derek (2005). Mario Lanza: Singing to the Gods. Univ. Press of Mississippi. pp. 69, 74. ISBN 978-1-61703-425-1.
- ^ "b". members.optusnet.com.au. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
- ^ Parish, James R.; Pitts, Michael R. (2003). Hollywood Songsters: Garland to O'Connor. Taylor & Francis. p. 494. ISBN 978-0-415-94333-8.
- ^ Dean, Maury (2003). Rock and Roll. Algora Publishing. p. 416. ISBN 978-0-87586-207-1.
- ^ Bessette, Roland L. (1999). Mario Lanza: Tenor in Exile. Amadeus Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-57467-044-8.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1994). Joel Whitburn's Pop Hits, 1940–1954. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-106-2.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts: The 1960s. Record Research. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-89820-175-8.
- 1950 songs
- 1951 singles
- 1959 singles
- 1967 singles
- Songs with lyrics by Sammy Cahn
- Songs with music by Nicholas Brodszky
- Mario Lanza songs
- Ed Townsend songs
- Andy Williams songs
- Number-one singles in the United States
- Capitol Records singles
- 1950s pop song stubs