First recorded by The Majestic Dance Orchestra (1931).
Inspired by “The Spanish Cavalier” (c. 1881).
Hit versions by The Ted Black Orchestra (US #6 1931), Pat Boone (US #1/R&B #12/UK #2 1957), Vince Hill (UK #23 1967).
From the wiki: “‘Love Letters in the Sand’ was written by J. Fred Coots and the lyrics by Nick Kenny and Charles Kenny and was first published in 1931. The song was ‘inspired’ by an 1881 composition, ‘The Spanish Cavalier’, by William D. Hendrickson. First recorded by The Majestic Dance Orchestra, featuring vocalist Helen Rowland, on August 27, 1931, ‘Love Letters in the Sand’ was also recorded the following day (August 28, 1931) by the Ted Black Orchestra whose arrangement peaked at #6 on the Hit Parade.
“Pat Boone’s version became a major hit in June and July 1957, spending 5 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top 100, with 34 weeks in total on the chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 2 song for 1957. The song was also used in Boone’s film, Bernardine. Boone did the whistling in the instrumental portion of the song as well. The song originally had a short instrumental introduction, but most versions now begin with Boone’s voice.
“In 1967, UK singer Vince Hill reached #23 in the UK Singles chart with his cover version of the track.”
Sons of the Pioneers, “Spanish Cavalier” (c. 1945):
The Ted Black Orchestra, “Love Letters in the Sand” (1931):
Pat Boone, “Love Letters in the Sand” original version (1957):
Vince Hill, “Love Letters in the Sand” (1967):