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Love Letters (song)

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Wikipedia article




"'Love Letters'" is a 1945 popular song with lyrics by Edward Heyman and music by Victor Young. The song appeared, without lyrics, in the movie of the same name performed by Dick Haymes, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1945 but lost out to "It Might as Well Be Spring". The song has been covered by a number of artists, most notably by Ketty Lester (1961), Elvis Presley (1966), and Alison Moyet (1987).

Ketty Lester version



In 1961, Era Records released Ketty Lester's version of "Love Letters" b/w "I'm a Fool to Want You". Lester's recording of "Love Letters", which featured Lincoln Mayorga's sparse piano arrangement and Earl Palmer on drums, reached No. 5 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in early 1962.[http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/Ketty-Lester.html Profile], Oldies.com; accessed August 15, 2015.

The record also reached No. 2 on the R&B chart and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, selling over 1 million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. In 1991, it was ranked 176th in the RIAA-compiled list of Songs of the Century.

This version appeared on the soundtrack of the David Lynch film 'Blue Velvet' (1986).

Charts



Elvis Presley versions



Elvis Presley recorded his version of "Love Letters" on May 26, 1966. Just over a week later on June 8, 1966 RCA released the song as a single b/w "Come What May" with The Jordanaires. "Love Letters" peaked at No. 19 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 on July 22, 1966. It was on the chart for just 7 weeks. Elvis Presley re-recorded the song in 1970 and subsequently released the new version on the album 'Love Letters from Elvis' in 1971.

Charts



Alison Moyet version



In 1987, Alison Moyet released her own version of the song as a non-album single. It reached No. 4 in the UK and remained in the charts for twelve weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single and featured Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

Speaking to 'The Quietus' in 2013, Moyet revealed she recorded "Love Letters" as she knew it would be a hit: "Love Letters" and "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" neither song I enjoy now they're both my fault. I found them. That was when I was feeling smart, thinking that I knew what a hit was." She also told the BBC in 2004: "After my versions of "Love Letters" and "That Ole Devil Called Love" did well, there was definite pressure for me to become some sort of jazz diva."

Upon release, 'Music & Media' described Moyet's version as "moody" and "sparsely-backed". Zodiac Mindwarp, as guest reviewer for 'Smash Hits', felt the song was "very well done" but reminiscent of Simply Red. Carole Linfield of 'Record Mirror' criticised Moyet's rendition as "dreary" and a "slow and dopey cover".

Charts



Other versions



*Dick Haymes (in 1945, US No. 11)

References



Category:Songs about letters (message)

Category:1945 songs

Category:1962 singles

Category:1966 singles

Category:Songs with music by Victor Young

Category:Songs with lyrics by Edward Heyman

Category:Ketty Lester songs

Category:Elvis Presley songs

Category:Alison Moyet songs

Category:Songs written for films

Category:Song recordings produced by Bill Szymczyk

Category:1987 singles

Category:CBS Records singles

Category:London Records singles

Category:RCA Records singles

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