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Catch a Falling Star
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Wikipedia article
"'Catch a Falling Star'" is a song written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It is best known and was made famous by Perry Como's hit version, recorded and released in late 1957.
Background and chart performance
The song's melody is based on a theme from Brahms' 'Academic Festival Overture'. Perry Como's version features the Ray Charles Singers, who sing the refrain as a repeated round.
It was Como's last number one hit in the US, reaching number 1 on the 'Billboard' "Most Played by Jockeys" chart but not in the overall top 100, where it reached number 3. It was the first single to receive a Recording Industry Association of America gold record certification, on March 14, 1958. Overseas, in 1958, the song also topped the Australian charts. In the UK Singles Chart, "Catch a Falling Star" peaked at number nine, whereas its B-side "Magic Moments" topped the charts.
Accolades
The single won Como the 1959 Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance, Male.
In popular culture
The song has been featured in several films, including:
*'The Princess Diaries'
*'Love Actually'
*'Everybody's Fine'
*'Welcome to Me'
*'Never Been Kissed'
*It was often featured in the TV series 'Lost', and was most often associated with Claire Littleton and her baby, Aaron.
*It is also featured in an episode of the FX black comedy 'Mr Inbetween'.
*A musical phrase from the song appears in John Williams's score for 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' during the motorcycle chase through the college."A Whirl Through Academe" track title, soundtrack album, Concord Records, 2008
*It was also in the musical 'Forever Plaid'
References
Category:Perry Como songs
Category:1957 songs
Category:1957 singles
Category:1958 singles
Category:Number-one singles in the United States
Category:Songs written by Lee Pockriss
Category:Songs written by Paul Vance
Category:Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Category:1950s ballads
Category:RCA Victor singles
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