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Every so often during the '60s and '70s, a legendary “crooner” from the pre-rock era would suddenly reappear on the charts with a “Great Song” or two, before fading off into the sunset.
Frank Sinatra had several hits during the '60s, including "Strangers in the Night," “That's Life,” “It Was a Very Good Year,” and “Somethin' Stupid” (with daughter Nancy).
Dean Martin pulled it off during the height of Beatlemania with 1964's “Everybody Loves Somebody,”
In 1977, Bing Crosby teamed up with David Bowie for the Christmas classic, “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth,” which turned out to be the last song Bing ever recorded.
But today, we're highlighting an old-timer who took a song written by Don McLean to #1 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart (and #22 on the Hot 100) in 1973: Perry Como!
McLean wrote and released “And I Love You So” on his 1970 debut album, “Tapestry,” (not to be confused with Carole King's album of the same name).
Perry's version featured his smooth and relaxed baritone, and speaking as a deejay at the time, I can tell you it really stood out on the radio—especially when played between songs by the likes of Elton John, Stevie Wonder and The Doobie Brothers!
And wasn't just a hit in the US, either! “And I Love You So,” went to #2 in South Africa...and #3 in the UK, where it stayed on the chart for 35 weeks!
It was Perry's last hit, but it left a lasting impression on more than just radio listeners. A long list of other recording artists covered the song after him, including Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Englebert Humperdinck, Johnny Mathis, Emmylou Harris, Olivia Newton-John, Helen Reddy, Bobby Vinton, Harry Connick, Jr....and even Jim Nabors!
And that's just a partial list!
Don McLean gets all the credit in the world for writing "And I Love You So,” but the legendary Perry Como, in his last appearance on the charts, made it a “Great Song of the '70s!”
Don McLean:
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