| "Charmaine" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Bachelors | ||||
| Released | 26 January 1963 | |||
| Format | 7" single | |||
| Recorded | October 10, 1962 | |||
| Label | Decca F11559 | |||
| Writer(s) | Erno Rapee, Lew Pollack | |||
| Producer | Shel Talmy | |||
| The Bachelors singles chronology | ||||
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"Charmaine" is a popular song written by Erno Rapee, with lyrics by Lew Pollack. The song was written in 1926 and published in 1927. However, Desmond Carrington on his BBC Radio 2 programme marked the song's writing as being in 1913.
The song was originally in waltz time, but later versions were in common time.
The song was originally composed for the 1926 silent movie What Price Glory?, and most notably, the best-selling version, recorded by Guy Lombardo & his Orchestra, spent seven weeks at the #1 position in 1927.[1] It was also featured in the movie Two Girls and a Sailor. It was recorded by the Harry James orchestra in 1944.
An instrumental version arranged by Ronald Binge and performed by the Mantovani orchestra was his first hit on the United States charts in 1951. This recording was released by London Records as catalog number 1020. It first reached the Billboard charts on November 9, 1951 and lasted 19 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10.[2]
Another recording, by Gordon Jenkins' orchestra, with a vocal by Bob Carroll, also charted in 1951. This recording was released by Decca Records as catalog number 27859.[3] It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on December 7, 1951 and lasted 1 week on the chart, at #26.[2]
The Bachelors' version reached #5 in the British charts in 1963.[4]
"Charmaine" is one of many popular songs whose lyrics use a "Bluebird of happiness" as a symbol of cheer: "I wonder, when bluebirds are mating, will you come back again?"
Use in popular culture [edit]
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (December 2010) |
The version of "Charmaine" by the Mantovani Orchestra is used quite often in comedy to provide comedic effect whenever a romantic situation is created. In Monty Python's Flying Circus, as example, the tune has been used at least twice:
- in the Seduced Milkmen sketch from the first season; and
- in the second season, scored to scenes where soccer players who celebrate a goal start to kiss and embrace each other in a homosexual way.
The song is featured in the giallo film The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), during a murder scene.
In the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) the tune is constantly played as background music in the mental institution. The same 1951 arragement by Mantovani is used for "institutional" effect in Frank Darabont's 1999 film The Green Mile, in which it is heard as background music in the retirement home.
It can be heard during an early scene of 2011 film This Must Be The Place as the character played by Sean Penn is seen strolling through a supermarket.
It was also used as background music in the "waiting room" of the Alton Towers scare maze The Sanctuary.
Recorded versions [edit]
- Jimmy Arnold
- The Bachelors (recorded October 10, 1962)
- Tex Beneke
- Max Bygraves
- Frankie Carle & His Girlfriends (1944)
- Vic Damone (1962)
- Billy Daniels
- Tommy Dorsey & Orchestra
- Gracie Fields
- The Four Freshmen
- The Four Knights
- The Four Preps
- Errol Garner
- Bill Haley & His Comets (1958)
- The Harmonicats (instrumental) (1951)
- The Ink Spots
- Harry James & His Orchestra (1944)
- Lewis James (1927)
- Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra (vocal: Bob Carroll) (1951)
- Sammy Kaye
- Lester Lanin & Orchestra
- James Last
- Layton & Johnstone
- Michel Legrand
- Julia Lee
- Josef Locke
- Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (vocal: Carmen Lombardo) (recorded June 13, 1927)
- Jimmie Lunceford & Orchestra
- Mantovani & His Orchestra (1951)
- Billy May & His Orchestra (instrumental) (1952)
- Moms & Dads
- Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra (recorded October 27, 1951)
- Ed Bogas (1975; from the soundtrack to the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
- Lou Rawls (1965)
- Jim Reeves (1958)
- Frank Sinatra (recorded January 15, 1962)
- Ethel Smith
- Cyril Stapleton & Orchestra
- Hank Thompson
- Arthur Tracy
- Paul Weston & His Orchestra (vocal: Norman Luboff Choir) (recorded November 4, 1951)
- Gunnar Wiklund with Marcus Österdahl's orchestra. Swedish lyrics by Karl-Ewert also entitled "Charmaine". Recorded in Stockholm in 1967 and released on the single His Master's Voice EG 8698 on November 20, 1967.
References [edit]
- ^ CD liner notes: Chart-Toppers of the Twenties, 1998 ASV Ltd.
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940-1955. Record Research.
- ^ Decca Records in the 27500 to 27999 series
- ^ http://www.thebachelors.co.uk/1962.htm The Bachelors: 1962
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