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Beyond the Sea (song)

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For the original French hit written by Charles Trenet, see La mer (song).
"La Mer"
Cover of musical score published in France in 1946
Song by Charles Trenet
Published1946 by Les Editions Raoul Breton
Songwriter(s)Charles Trenet
Composer(s)Charles Trenet, Albert Lasry
Audio
"Beyond the Sea" on YouTube

"Beyond the Sea" is the English-language version of the French song "La Mer" by Charles Trenet, popularized by Bobby Darin in 1959. While the French original was an ode to the sea, Jack Lawrence – who composed the English lyrics – turned it into a love song.[1]

Versions

"Beyond the Sea"
Single by Bobby Darin
from the album That's All
B-side"That's the Way Love Is"
ReleasedOctober 1959
RecordedAugust 24, 1958
GenreBig band
Length2:48
LabelAtco 6158
Songwriter(s)Jack Lawrence/Charles Trenet
Bobby Darin singles chronology
"Mack the Knife"
(1959) 		"Beyond the Sea"
(1959) 		"Clementine"
(1960)
Audio
"Beyond the Sea" on YouTube

"Beyond the Sea" has been recorded by many artists, but Bobby Darin's version released in late 1959 is the best known by many, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 15 on the US R&B Chart, and No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart[2] in early 1960.

Before Bobby Darin's version, two instrumental recordings reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Benny Goodman's version charted in 1948, and was featured in the Cary Grant/Betsy Drake romantic comedy Every Girl Should Be Married. Roger Williams' recording reached No. 37 in 1955.[3]

The first recording of "Beyond the Sea" was by Harry James and His Orchestra on December 22, 1947, and the first recording of "La Mer" was by French jazz musician Roland Gerbeau in December 1945.

American R&B singer George Benson recorded an R&B version of the song under the title "Beyond The Sea (La Mer)." It was released on Warner Bros. This version entered the UK Singles Chart on 20 April 1985. It peaked at no. 60 and remained on the chart for three weeks.[4] Robbie Williams recorded the song for the film Finding Nemo.[5]

References

  1. ^ Schudel, Matt (March 18, 2009). - "Composer's Hits Helped Singers Such as Sinatra". - The Washington Post.
  2. ^ "Beyond the Sea (La Mer) (song by Bobby Darin) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  3. ^ "Beyond the Sea (La Mer) (song by Roger Williams) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  4. ^ Rice, Tim; Rice, Jonathan; Gambaccini, Paul (1990), Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, Enfield, Middlesex, United Kingdom: Guinness World Records and Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-398-8
  5. ^ Davies, Dave (June 17, 2016). "Producer Nick Venet Recalls The Story Behind Bobby Darin's 'Beyond The Sea'". Npr.org. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
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