Almost Like Being in Love
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| "Almost Like Being in Love" | |
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"Almost Like Being in Love" is a popular song published in 1947. The music was written by Frederick Loewe, and the lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.
The song was made popular by David Brooks and Marion Bell in the 1947 musical Brigadoon. It was later performed in the 1954 film version by Gene Kelly.
There were three hit versions of the song in the United States in 1947. Frank Sinatra's version was the highest charting at #20. Mildred Bailey and Mary Martin both charted with the song at #21 that year.[1]
Nat King Cole recorded more than one version of the song, including a later version that was used as the closing song in the 1993 movie Groundhog Day which starred Bill Murray. Cole's version, in the key of G major like the original, features a ii–V–I turnaround (2-5-1) in G, a pair of similar 2-5-1 sequences in E major and D major for the bridge, after which it raises the refrain a half-step with a 2-5-1 in A flat major.
Frank Sinatra rerecorded the song for his 1961 album Come Swing With Me; this is the version generally heard today.
The song was revived in a downbeat ballad version by singer Michael Johnson (#32, 1978).[2] It was also made popular by British singing sensation Dame Shirley Bassey. Like Judy Garland, Ms. Bassey performs this song as a medley with the song, This Can't Be Love.
Cover versions
Other musicians who have recorded "Almost Like Being in Love" include:
- Lester Young – Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio (1952)
- Sonny Rollins and the Modern Jazz Quartet – Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet (1953)
- Nat King Cole – Sings For Two In Love (1955)
- Red Garland – Red Garland's Piano (1957)
- Della Reese - A Date With Della Reese At Mr. Kelly's In Chicago (1958)
- Cliff Richard (1960)
- Frank Sinatra – Come Swing With Me (1961)
- In 1961, Judy Garland performed the song as a medley with "This Can't Be Love" at her Judy at Carnegie Hall concert
- Ella Fitzgerald – Ella Sings Broadway (1963)
- Johnny Hartman – Unforgettable Songs (1966)
- Dean Martin (1973)
- Melanie Safka – Sunset and Other Beginnings (1975)
- Marti Webb - Performance (1989)
- Natalie Cole – Unforgettable... with Love (1991)
- Anthony Warlow – Back In The Swing (1993)
- Woody Allen as Z-4195 from Antz (1998, short rendition)
- Rufus Wainwright – Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (2007)
- Jermaine Jackson – I Wish You Love (2012)
References
- ^ Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890–1954. Record Research Inc. p. 470. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ Jasen, David A. (2013). A Century of American Popular Music. Taylor & Francis. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-135-35271-4.