The Loveliest Night of the Year

"The Loveliest Night of the Year" is a popular song.

The music was first published as a waltz called "Sobre las olas" ("Over the Waves") in 1888, written by Juventino P. Rosas. In 1950, the music was adapted by Irving Aaronson with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster for the movie The Great Caruso, in which it was sung by Ann Blyth. Later, Mario Lanza recorded the song. It became one of the most popular songs of 1951, reaching number three in the US Billboard Charts. Lanza received his third Gold Disc for this song.

In the UK, the song was a number one hit based on sales of sheet music. It reached the top spot in January 1952, staying there for four weeks. The song was also associated with Anne Shelton, whose contemporary recording was available alongside Lanza's.

The instrumental version of the song is often associated with magicians performing their "magical tricks", and flying trapeze acts, with whom it is often played in the background, especially in animated cartoons. It is so commonly associated with these entertainments as to be iconic, although few people know it the music by name.

Other film appearances

• 1936 - The Beloved Vagabond

Other recordings

• 1950 - Helen O'Connell
• 1951 - Ann Blyth
• 1954 - Vera Lynn
• 1960 - Connie Francis for her album More Italian Favorites.
• 1962 - Bing Crosby - included in his album On the Happy Side.
• 1962 - Keely Smith for her album Because You're Mine.
• 2008 - Alfio for his album Classic Rewinds, which pays tribute to Mario Lanza and 14 other popular Italian-American singers.