Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: Nelson Riddle

1950s, Pop

Wand’rin Star

First recorded by James Barton (1951).
Hit version by Lee Marvin (UK #1/IRE #1 1969).

From the wiki: “‘Wand’rin Star’ was written by Alan Lerner (lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) for the stage musical Paint Your Wagon in 1951. The song was performed on stage by James Barton, in his original role of prospector Ben Rumson, and was first recorded by Barton in 1951. When the film of the musical was produced in 1969, Lee Marvin took the role of prospector Rumson.

“Not a natural singer, Marvin nevertheless sang all of his songs in the film, rejecting the idea of miming to another singer’s voice. Despite the film being a box office flop, the soundtrack became a success. Orchestrated and arranged by Nelson Riddle, Marvin’s version of the song ‘Wand’rin Star’ becoming an unlikely #1 single (for three weeks!) in Ireland and the UK for him, famously keeping The Beatles at #2 in the UK with their single ‘Let It Be’. Marvin never released a follow-up single, so he is classed as a ‘one-hit wonder’.”

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1950s, Broadway/Movies/Television

Till There Was You

First commercial release by Sue Raney & The Nelson Riddle Orchestra (November 1957).
First performed by Barbara Cook & Robert Preston (December 1957).
Hit versions by Anita Bryant (US #30 1959), Peggy Lee (UK #30 1961).
Also recorded by Sonny Rollins (1958), The Beatles (1962 & 1963).

From the wiki: “‘Till There Was You’ was written by Meredith Willson for his 1957 musical play (and, later, movie) The Music Man, the original cast album for which was released in 1957. The first recording of the song to be commercially released came even before the original cast album release in January 1958. Promotional copies of a 45-rpm single were released on November 26, 1957 (before the Broadway premiere on December 19) featuring The Nelson Riddle Orchestra and 17-year-old vocalist Sue Raney.

“Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins recorded an instrumental version of “Till There Was You” in 1958. Anita Bryant had the first chart success with the song, making the Billboard Top 40 in 1959. Peggy Lee charted UK Top-30 the same year in Great Britain in 1961 with her recording of “Till There Was You”.

“Paul McCartney, of The Beatles, was introduced to Peggy Lee’s music by his older cousin, Bett Robbins, and it would be the only Broadway song the group performed or would record. ‘Till There Was You’ became part of the Beatles’ repertoire in 1962 and was first recorded by them as part of their failed audition for Decca Records in January 1962. The George Martin-produced version, recorded in July 1963, would appear in the UK on With The Beatles, the group’s second album, in November 1963. ‘Till There Was You’ would also be the second of five songs The Beatles performed during their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964.

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