Catch a Falling Star
| "Catch a Falling Star" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Perry Como | |
| B-side | "Magic Moments" |
| Released | 1957 |
| Recorded | October 9, 1957 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 2:23 |
| Label | RCA Victor |
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss |
| Producer(s) | Joe Reisman |
"Catch a Falling Star" is a song written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It is best known and was made famous by Perry Como's hit version, recorded and released in late 1957.[1]
Background and chart performance[]
The song's melody is based on a theme from Brahms' Academic Festival Overture. Perry Como's version features the Ray Charles Singers, who sing the refrain as a repeated round.[1]
It was Como's last number one hit,[2] reaching number 1 on the Billboard "Most Played by Jockeys" chart but not in the overall top 100, where it reached number 3.[3] It was the first single to receive a Recording Industry Association of America gold record certification, on March 14, 1958.[4] Overseas, in 1958, the song also topped the Australian charts. In the UK Singles Chart, "Catch a Falling Star" peaked at number nine.[5]
Accolades[]
The single won Como the 1959 Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance, Male.
In popular culture[]
The song has been featured in several films, including:
- The Princess Diaries
- Love Actually
- Everybody's Fine
- Welcome to Me
- Never Been Kissed
- It was often featured in the TV series Lost, and was most often associated with Claire Littleton and her baby, Aaron.
- It is also featured in an episode of the FX black comedy Mr Inbetween.
- A musical phrase from the song appears in John Williams's score for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull during the motorcycle chase through the college.[6]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Perry Como - Catch A Falling Star". 45cat.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "Perry Como Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 187.
- ^ "History Of The Awards". RIAA.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
- ^ "Perry Como". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ "A Whirl Through Academe" track title, soundtrack album, Concord Records, 2008
External links[]
| show Perry Como |
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Authority control  |
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- Perry Como songs
- 1957 songs
- 1957 singles
- 1958 singles
- Number-one singles in the United States
- Songs written by Lee Pockriss
- Songs written by Paul Vance
- Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
- 1950s ballads
- RCA Victor singles
- 1950s single stubs