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Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing'" is a popular song with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster.
The song was publicized first in the movie, 'Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing' (1955), winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. From 1967 to 1973, it was used as the theme song to 'Love is a Many Splendored Thing', the soap opera based on the movie. The song's refrain is based on the aria 'Un bel d vedremo' from Giacomo Puccinis opera, 'Madama Butterfly'.
The music was commissioned for the movie 'Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing' and initially included in the film's Oscar-winning score, composed and conducted by Alfred Newman. Lyrics were subsequently added to make it eligible for the Best Original Song category of the Academy Awards. The original lyrics were rejected by the studio so new ones were written.
Before the Four Aces recorded their hit version, several artists, including Doris Day, disliked the song, until the result of the Four Aces hit version caused several vocalists to record their versions of the song.
This song is noted for its memorable lines: "In the morning mist, two lovers kissed, and the world stood still".
The best-selling version of the song was recorded by The Four Aces backed by the Jack Pleis Orchestra and issued by Decca Records as catalog number 29625. It reached number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one on both 'Billboard' and 'Cash Box' in 1955. The recording by The Four Aces is featured in the film 'Cookie' (1989). It became a gold record.
This song has been a staple of Engelbert Humperdinck's live show since 1995.
Other covers
A version by Don Cornell was recorded approximately at the same time. It was issued by Coral Records as catalog number 61467. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1955 for use on his radio show and it was subsequently included in the box set 'The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings (1954-56)' issued by Mosaic Records (catalog MD7-245) in 2009. The song has also been recorded by Ringo Starr (on his album 'Sentimental Journey'), Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Shirley Bassey, Nat King Cole and Barry Manilow. Neil Sedaka recorded the song in Italian as "L'Amore E' Una Cosa Meravigliosa". Connie Francis recorded the song in Italian in 1960 during the work for her album 'More Italian Favorites', although this version remains unreleased to this day. Francis also recorded the original English lyrics in 1961 for her album 'Connie Francis Sings 'Never on Sunday' and Other Title Songs from Motion Pictures'. The instrumental playback of this 1961 recording was also used when Francis cut a German-language version, "Sag, weit du denn, was Liebe ist", in 1966. The song was about that time also performed by Fairuz in Arabian language ("Zar Bisukun Al Lail"). French-Malaysian singer "Shake" (French Wikipedia - Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad) recorded a French version of the song in 1977 titled "Rien n'est plus beau que l'amour". ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jb6wHnXzVw Youtube - Shake - Rien n'est plus beau que l'amour(1977)]). A Disco version was recorded by Tina Charles in 1980. Jeff Lynne recorded his version for his nostalgic cover album 'Long Wave' in 2012.
In popular culture
This song can be heard in the movies 'Grease', 'Circle of Friends', 'Private Parts', 'St. Trinian's', 'St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold', and 'The Nutty Professor 2'. The song, among others, was referenced in 'Moulin Rouge!' when Christian says, "Love is like oxygen - love is a many splendored thing - love lifts us up where we belong! All you need is love!."
It has been also heard in the series 'Bones', in the 14th episode of the third season sung by Dr. Zack Addy (Eric Millegan).
See also
*List of number-one singles of 1955 (U.S.)
References
Category:1955 singles
Category:Songs with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Category:Songs with music by Sammy Fain
Category:The Four Aces songs
Category:Nat King Cole songs
Category:Andy Williams songs
Category:Barry Manilow songs
Category:Number-one singles in the United States
Category:Best Original Song Academy Award-winning songs
Category:1955 songs
Category:Decca Records singles
Category:Love themes
Category:Songs written for films
Category:1950s ballads
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