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Come Softly to Me
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Wikipedia article
"'Come Softly to Me'" is a popular song recorded by The Fleetwoods, composed of Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis, and Gary Troxel, who also wrote it. The original title was "Come Softly", but was changed en route to its becoming a hit. Bob Reisdorf, the owner of Dolphin Records, which in 1960 changed to Dolton Records, was responsible for the title change. He thought that "Come Softly" might be too obvious and considered risqu, so he had it changed to "Come Softly to Me." The title phrase never appears in the song's lyrics.
Recording the song at home, the group sang it a cappella with the rhythmic shaking of Troxel's car keys. The tape was then sent to Los Angeles where the sparse instrumental accompaniment was added, including an acoustic guitar played by Bonnie Guitar, herself a successful singer-songwriter ("Dark Moon") and Reisdorf's in-house record producer. Released in 1959, the single reached #1 on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100 in April.
Chart positions
All-time charts
Cover versions
The song has been covered by other artists, including Sandy Salisbury, Henri Salvador "Tout doux, tout doucement" (1959); Paul & Paula (1963); Four Jacks and a Jill (1965);[http://www.rock.co.za/legends/60s/4jacks_albums_one.htm Four Jacks and a Jill, 'Jimmy Come Lately'], Rock.co.za, Retrieved May 13, 2015 The Serendipity Singers on United Artists in 1968; Bob Welch (with Christine McVie on backing vocals); Frankie Vaughan with The Kaye Sisters, who had a chart hit in the United Kingdom with it; Jane Olivor; Mercy; Mercy released a version of the song on their 1969 album, 'Love Can Make You Happy';[http://www.discogs.com/Mercy-Love-Can-Make-You-Happy/release/3469061 Mercy, 'Love Can Make You Happy'], Discogs.com, Retrieved May 7, 2015 Lesley Gore recorded a duet version of the song with Oliver in 1970, on Crewe Records; The New Seekers also recorded the song, whose version reached #95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on the UK charts in 1972-73.[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-new-seekers-p25306/charts-awards/billboard-singles The New Seekers charting singles], AllMusic, Retrieved 09-23-11 Brenton Wood titled his 1977 album, Come Softly, after the song. A cover version performed by The Roches is repeated several times on the soundtrack of the film 'Crossing Delancey'.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/crossing-delancey-r186539 Crossing Delancey - Original Soundtrack], AllMusic, Retrieved 09-23-11 Buck Dharma of Blue yster Cult covered the song on his 1982 solo album, 'Flat Out'.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/flat-out-r35278 Buck Dharma, 'Flat Out'], AllMusic, Retrieved 09-23-11
Popular culture
*The song was featured in the film 'Stand by Me', although did not feature on the official soundtrack.
*This song is used in the opening scene of the movie 'Dead Silence's trailer. Retrieved September 29, 2011
*It is included in the closing credits of the BBC2 sitcom 'Roger and Val Have Just Got In'.
*The song was also featured in the soundtrack of 'Mafia II'.
Samples
*Eliza Doolittle sampled it for the song "Missing" on her debut album.
See also
*List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1959 (U.S.)
References
Category:1958 songs
Category:1959 singles
Category:The Fleetwoods songs
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:Liberty Records singles
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