Come Softly to Me

"Come Softly to Me"
Single by The Fleetwoods
from the album Mr. Blue
B-side "I Care So Much"
Released February 16, 1959 (Dolphin)
April, 1959 (Liberty)
Format 7"
Recorded Fall 1958
Length 2:25
Label Dolphin Records, Liberty Records
Songwriter(s) Gretchen Christopher
Producer(s) The Fleetwoods
The Fleetwoods singles chronology
"Come Softly to Me"
(1959)		 "Graduation's Here"
(1959)

"Come Softly to Me"
(1959)		 "Graduation's Here"
(1959)

"Come Softly to Me" is a popular song written by Gretchen Christopher that was performed by The Fleetwoods, composed of Christopher, Barbara Ellis, and Gary Troxel. 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 risqué, 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. Released in 1959, the single reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in April.[1]

Chart positions

Chart (1959) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Sides [2] 5

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);[3] 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.[4] and The New Seekers, whose version reached #95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on the UK charts in 1972-73.[5] Brenton Wood titled his 1977 album, Come Softly, after the song.[6] A cover version performed by The Roches is repeated several times on the soundtrack of the film Crossing Delancey.[7] Buck Dharma of Blue Öyster Cult covered the song on his 1982 solo album, Flat Out.[8]

Samples

See also

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 230.
  2. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 208.
  3. ↑ Four Jacks and a Jill, Jimmy Come Lately Retrieved May 13, 2015
  4. ↑ Mercy, Love Can Make You Happy Retrieved May 7, 2015
  5. ↑ The New Seekers charting singles Retrieved 09-23-11
  6. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Brenton-Wood-Come-Softly/release/1244909
  7. ↑ Crossing Delancey - Original Soundtrack Retrieved 09-23-11
  8. ↑ Buck Dharma, Flat Out Retrieved 09-23-11
  9. ↑ Dead Silence's trailer on YouTube Retrieved September 29, 2011
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