First recorded by Larry Clinton & His Orchestra with Bea Wain (US #1 February 1939).
Other hit versions by Eddy Duchin (US #12 1939), Al Donahue & His Orchestra (US #16 1939), The Four Aces (US #11 1952), Jan & Dean (US #25 1961), The Cleftones (US #18 1961).
From the wiki: “‘Heart and Soul’ was written by Hoagy Carmichael (‘Stardust‘, ‘Georgia on My Mind‘) with lyrics by Frank Loesser and first recorded in 1938 by Larry Clinton & His Orchestra featuring Bea Wain. In 1939, three versions charted: Larry Clinton (reaching #1 on the chart in February, 1939), Eddy Duchin (reaching #12), and Al Donahue (reaching #16).
“The Four Aces covered and charted ‘Heart and Soul’ in 1952. Two contrasting cover versions charted in 1961: surfers Jan & Dean reachedg #25, while the Cleftones reached #18 with a neo-doo wop arrangement. The Cleftones’ recording became more widely and popularly known after it was used in the 1972 movie American Graffiti, and was included on the soundtrack album.
“The Cleftones initially recorded ‘Heart and Soul’ in 1959 but it sat unreleased until 1961, after Roulette Records president Morris Levy reactivated the New York-based label Gee Records. In an April 1961 issue, under its ‘Spotlight Winners of the Week’ column, Billboard magazine identified the Cleftones’ ‘Heart and Soul’ as having the strongest sales potential of all records reviewed for the week, commenting:
This was a hit group a few seasons back and this rendition could bring them back into action. It’s the standard tune and it’s done in rocking, teen-slanted fashion with a swinging beat.”
Eddy Duchin, “Heart and Soul” (1939):
Al Donahue & His Orchestra with Paula Kelly, “Heart and Soul” (1939):
The Four Aces, “Heart and Soul” (1952):
Jan & Dean, “Heart and Soul” (1961):
The Cleftones, “Heart and Soul” (1961):