For Once in My Life
Encyclopedia
"For Once in My Life" is a pop
song written by Ron Miller
and Orlando Murden for Motown Records
' Jobete publishing company in 1967 (see 1967 in music
). The composition was originally recorded by Jean DuShon, while other artists, such as Tony Bennett
and The Temptations
, recorded slow ballad versions of the song. Jack Soo
was the first male artist to record a version of the song--it never made it to any public market and the recording was permanently shelved in the Motown Records archives.
The most familiar and successful version of "For Once in My Life" is an uptempo arrangement by Stevie Wonder
, recorded immediately after DuShon's original. Wonder's version (issued on Motown's Tamla label) was a top-three hit in the United States
in late 1968
and early 1969
.
The song was included on the soundtrack to the 2001 film
See Spot Run
and the soundtrack to 2010's Shrek Forever After
.
' Cadet label early in 1966. Motown CEO Berry Gordy
found out that Miller, a Motown staff writer, had given the song to an outside artist, and had Miller immediately make the song available for Motown artist Barbara McNair
, who included the song on her November 1966 album release, Here I Am, and later for Stevie Wonder and then The Temptations
to record. Meanwhile, DuShon's version made no significant impact on the singles charts, but was chosen "Pick Hit of the Week" by Detroit's WXYZ radio in 1966, but Chess Records dropped the ball by not promoting the record. Miss DuShon was so distraught at the failure of the record, she dropped it from her popular nightclub act. Despite the failure of the record, she was the very first in a long line of singers to record the song since it was written.
was the first male singer to record the song after he joined Motown Records in 1965 as one of their first non-African American artists. The record was never released and was permanently shelved in the Motown archives, perhaps in favor of another version by a more popular artist. It was a slow ballad version, similar to how Tony Bennett later performed it.
. Baritone
singer Paul Williams
sings the lead vocal on the song, and it resultantly became his showcase number in the Temptations' live shows. Williams' most famous performance of the number was during The Supremes
and Temptations' TCB
television special in 1968, a performance cited as the apex of Williams' career. The song also made its way into The Temptations 1998 made-for-television miniseries
on NBC
. After celebrating some success in the movie, the actor who portrays Paul Williams (Christian Payton
) sings the slow ballad version.
's more successful forays into contemporary songs. His version of the song peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, (#8 on the Easy Listening survey) and was the title track of his album For Once in My Life. "For Once in My Life" remained in Bennett's concert repertoire into the 2000s. In 2006 Bennett teamed up with Stevie Wonder to record a ballad tempo version for his Duets: An American Classic
album, for which Bennett and Wonder received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
. Bennett also performed it on the Grand Finale of American Idol 6.
's version was recorded at about the same time as The Temptations' in the summer of 1967. However, Berry Gordy
did not like Wonder's version, an upbeat rendition produced by Henry Cosby
. Gordy vetoed the single's release, and the recording was shelved. Billie Jean Brown, the head of the Motown Quality Control department, finally coerced Gordy into allowing Wonder's version to be released in October 1968.
Contrary to Gordy's instincts, "For Once in My Life" was a highly successful record, peaking at number-two on both the Billboard Pop Singles and Billboard R&B Singles
(it was held off from the number-one spot on each chart by another Motown single Gordy had originally vetoed, Marvin Gaye
's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine
"). "For Once in My Life", issued by Tamla with "Angie Girl" as its b-side, was later included as the title track on Wonder's For Once in My Life
album.
Wonder's version of the track is often singled out by bassists as the greatest example of James Jamerson
's playing style, with no two bars of music played alike during the whole song; a completely improvisational line that is both melodic and complementary to Wonder's vocal.
performed a slow rendition of the song live in Berlin
in 1968. She began by saying, "There's a song in the States made popular by Tony Bennett. Such a beautiful tune. We'd like to try and sing it for you because we think the lyrics are so gorgeous and the tune itself is beautiful."
also recorded the song twice, once for his album My Way
(1969) and again for his 1994 album, Duets II
. His partners on the latter recording were Gladys Knight
and Stevie Wonder.
, "For Once in My Life" was performed by show mainstay singer Vonda Shepard
. The song was used to "sing" the main character Ally Mcbeal's quest for true love. The song is included in the show's original soundtrack, For Once in My Life, volume 2.
version was originally recorded at the album "Neither One of Us
", released in early 1973 by Motown Records
, featured Knight's contralto on lead vocals.
sang a version on his TV show, Roberto Carlos Especial, with Freddy Cole
on piano in 1978. In 1979, he sang a version during the show Palhaço (Clown). Carlos recorded the song in 1979 and released it as a single
. His version is very similar to that by Tony Bennett
, of whom Carlos is an avowed fan.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
song written by Ron Miller
Ron Miller (songwriter)
Ronald Norman Miller was an American popular songwriter and record producer, who attained many Top 10 hits with ballads written for Motown artists in the 1960s and 1970s....
and Orlando Murden for Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
' Jobete publishing company in 1967 (see 1967 in music
1967 in music
The summer of 1967 is "The Summer of Love" in San Francisco. It also became an important year for psychedelic rock, with releases from The Beatles The summer of 1967 is "The Summer of Love" in San Francisco. It also became an important year for psychedelic rock, with releases from The Beatles The...
). The composition was originally recorded by Jean DuShon, while other artists, such as Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
and The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, recorded slow ballad versions of the song. Jack Soo
Jack Soo
Jack Soo was a Japanese American actor. He is best known for his role as Detective Nick Yemana on the television sitcom Barney Miller.-Early life:...
was the first male artist to record a version of the song--it never made it to any public market and the recording was permanently shelved in the Motown Records archives.
The most familiar and successful version of "For Once in My Life" is an uptempo arrangement by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, recorded immediately after DuShon's original. Wonder's version (issued on Motown's Tamla label) was a top-three hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in late 1968
1968 in music
-Events:*January 4 – Guitarist Jimi Hendrix is jailed by Stockholm police, after trashing a hotel room during a drunken fist fight with bassist Noel Redding.*January 6 – Gibson Guitar Corporation patents its Gibson Flying V electric guitar design....
and early 1969
1969 in music
-Events:Perhaps the two most famous musical events of 1969 were concerts. At a Rolling Stones concert in Altamont, California, a fan was stabbed to death by Hells Angels, a biker gang that had been hired to provide security for the event...
.
The song was included on the soundtrack to the 2001 film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
See Spot Run
See Spot Run
See Spot Run is a 2001 comedy film about a mailman who takes in a stray bullmastiff only to learn that it is a trained FBI dog that has escaped from a witness protection program and is targeted for killing by a crime boss...
and the soundtrack to 2010's Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever After, taglined as The Final Chapter, is a 2010 animated fantasy-comedy film, and the fourth and final installment in the Shrek film series, produced by DreamWorks Animation. The film was released by Paramount Pictures in cinemas on May 20, 2010 in Russia, and on May 21 in the United...
.
Barbara McNair - The Original Version
Ron Miller originally wrote this song for Barbara McNair, Barbara was the first in the world to ever sing this song. The song was written with a slow tempo and was performed as a ballad. Barbara McNair recorded the song and her vocal was backed up by a symphony orchestra. Stevie Wonder requested permission from Barbara McNair and Ron Miller to record the song with a faster tempo which became the most famous version of the song. In later years, Barbara McNair recorded the song once again with a faster tempo. TEC Recording Studios. Barbara McNair's nephew, John Thomas is the owner of TEC Studios, and has released the second recording of this song in June of 2010.Jean DuShon version
Jean DuShon had originally been tapped by Ron Miller to demo "For Once in My Life", as he was "fine-tuning" the composition. Miller was impressed by DuShon's rendition of the song, and she released her version as a single on Chess RecordsChess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
' Cadet label early in 1966. Motown CEO Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
found out that Miller, a Motown staff writer, had given the song to an outside artist, and had Miller immediately make the song available for Motown artist Barbara McNair
Barbara McNair
Barbara McNair was an African American singer and actress.Born Barbara Jean McNair in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, McNair studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago...
, who included the song on her November 1966 album release, Here I Am, and later for Stevie Wonder and then The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
to record. Meanwhile, DuShon's version made no significant impact on the singles charts, but was chosen "Pick Hit of the Week" by Detroit's WXYZ radio in 1966, but Chess Records dropped the ball by not promoting the record. Miss DuShon was so distraught at the failure of the record, she dropped it from her popular nightclub act. Despite the failure of the record, she was the very first in a long line of singers to record the song since it was written.
Jack Soo version
Jack SooJack Soo
Jack Soo was a Japanese American actor. He is best known for his role as Detective Nick Yemana on the television sitcom Barney Miller.-Early life:...
was the first male singer to record the song after he joined Motown Records in 1965 as one of their first non-African American artists. The record was never released and was permanently shelved in the Motown archives, perhaps in favor of another version by a more popular artist. It was a slow ballad version, similar to how Tony Bennett later performed it.
The Temptations version
The Temptations' version was done in 1967 for their pop standards based album The Temptations in a Mellow MoodThe Temptations in a Mellow Mood
The Temptations in a Mellow Mood is a 1967 album by The Temptations for the Motown label. Composed primarily of pop standards such as "Ol' Man River" and "For Once in My Life", and similar songs written by Holland-Dozier-Holland and other Motown staff songwriters, the Mellow Mood album was part of...
. Baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
singer Paul Williams
Paul Williams (The Temptations)
Paul Williams was an American baritone singer and choreographer. Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations...
sings the lead vocal on the song, and it resultantly became his showcase number in the Temptations' live shows. Williams' most famous performance of the number was during The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
and Temptations' TCB
TCB (television special)
TCB was a 1968 television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter–Ed Friendly Productions . The special was a musical revue starring Motown's two most popular groups at the time, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations...
television special in 1968, a performance cited as the apex of Williams' career. The song also made its way into The Temptations 1998 made-for-television miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. After celebrating some success in the movie, the actor who portrays Paul Williams (Christian Payton
Christian Payton
Christian Payton was born on December 24, 1965 in Chicago Illinois. He started out in musicals and plays when he was very young. Christian Payton has landed roles in a variety of movies ranging from U.S. Marshals and Strange as Angels...
) sings the slow ballad version.
Tony Bennett version
Also in 1967, "For Once in My Life" became one of Tony BennettTony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
's more successful forays into contemporary songs. His version of the song peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, (#8 on the Easy Listening survey) and was the title track of his album For Once in My Life. "For Once in My Life" remained in Bennett's concert repertoire into the 2000s. In 2006 Bennett teamed up with Stevie Wonder to record a ballad tempo version for his Duets: An American Classic
Duets: An American Classic
-Personnel:* Tony Bennett, guest artists - vocals* Bill Charlap - piano* Pinchas Zukerman - violin* Lawrence Feldman - flute* Chris Botti - trumpet* Paul Langosch - double bass* Gray Sargent - guitar* Harold Jones - drums* Johnny Mandel - arranger, conductor...
album, for which Bennett and Wonder received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality pop songs on which singers collaborate...
. Bennett also performed it on the Grand Finale of American Idol 6.
Stevie Wonder version
Stevie WonderStevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's version was recorded at about the same time as The Temptations' in the summer of 1967. However, Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
did not like Wonder's version, an upbeat rendition produced by Henry Cosby
Henry Cosby
Henry "Hank" R. Cosby was an African American songwriter and record producer for Motown Records...
. Gordy vetoed the single's release, and the recording was shelved. Billie Jean Brown, the head of the Motown Quality Control department, finally coerced Gordy into allowing Wonder's version to be released in October 1968.
Contrary to Gordy's instincts, "For Once in My Life" was a highly successful record, peaking at number-two on both the Billboard Pop Singles and Billboard R&B Singles
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
(it was held off from the number-one spot on each chart by another Motown single Gordy had originally vetoed, Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine
I Heard It through the Grapevine
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a landmark song in the history of Motown. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, the single was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles...
"). "For Once in My Life", issued by Tamla with "Angie Girl" as its b-side, was later included as the title track on Wonder's For Once in My Life
For Once in My Life (album)
For Once in My Life is a 1968 soul album released by singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder on Motown, as his tenth studio album. Then eighteen years old, Wonder had established himself as one of Motown's consistent hit-makers. This album continued Wonder's growth as a vocalist, songwriter and producer...
album.
Wonder's version of the track is often singled out by bassists as the greatest example of James Jamerson
James Jamerson
James Lee Jamerson was an American bass player. He was the uncredited bassist on most of Motown Records' hits in the 1960s and early 1970s , and he is now regarded as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history...
's playing style, with no two bars of music played alike during the whole song; a completely improvisational line that is both melodic and complementary to Wonder's vocal.
John Farnham version
Australian singer John Farnham recorded a version of For Once In My Life in 1971. It was released on his album titled Johnny.Ella Fitzgerald version
Ella FitzgeraldElla Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
performed a slow rendition of the song live in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in 1968. She began by saying, "There's a song in the States made popular by Tony Bennett. Such a beautiful tune. We'd like to try and sing it for you because we think the lyrics are so gorgeous and the tune itself is beautiful."
Frank Sinatra version
Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
also recorded the song twice, once for his album My Way
My Way (Frank Sinatra album)
My Way is an album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released in 1969.The album is a collection of contemporary pop songs, such as Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs...
(1969) and again for his 1994 album, Duets II
Duets II
Duets II is the 58th and last studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra. It was released in 1994, and was the sequel to the previous year's Duets....
. His partners on the latter recording were Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
and Stevie Wonder.
Vonda Shepard version
In the courtroom comedy-drama series Ally McBealAlly McBeal
Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia...
, "For Once in My Life" was performed by show mainstay singer Vonda Shepard
Vonda Shepard
Vonda Shepard is an American pop/rock singer. She appeared as a regular in the television show Ally McBeal from seasons 1-5 in which she played a resident performer at the bar where the show's characters drank after work. She plays piano, guitar, and bass.-Biography:Vonda Shepard was born in New...
. The song was used to "sing" the main character Ally Mcbeal's quest for true love. The song is included in the show's original soundtrack, For Once in My Life, volume 2.
Gladys Knight & the Pips version
The Gladys Knight & the PipsGladys Knight & the Pips
Gladys Knight & The Pips were an R&B/soul family musical act from Atlanta, Georgia, active from 1953 to 1989. The group was best known for their string of hit singles on Motown's "Soul" record label and Buddah Records from 1967 to 1975, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight...
version was originally recorded at the album "Neither One of Us
Neither One of Us (album)
-Charts:AlbumSingles-External links:* at Discogs...
", released in early 1973 by Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
, featured Knight's contralto on lead vocals.
Roberto Carlos version
Known as The King in his country (Brazil), Roberto CarlosRoberto Carlos (singer)
Roberto Carlos Braga is a Grammy Award-winning Brazilian singer and composer, who has achieved a great deal of success and recognition in his 50 year career, also known as King of Latin Music....
sang a version on his TV show, Roberto Carlos Especial, with Freddy Cole
Freddy Cole
Lionel Frederick Cole is an American jazz singer and pianist, whose recording career has spanned over fifty years. He is leader of the Freddy Cole Quartet, which regularly tours the US, Europe, the Far East and South America....
on piano in 1978. In 1979, he sang a version during the show Palhaço (Clown). Carlos recorded the song in 1979 and released it as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
. His version is very similar to that by Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, of whom Carlos is an avowed fan.
Other Versions
- Jackie WilsonJackie WilsonJack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
recorded a modified ballad version, more uptempo than Tony Bennett, but downbeat compared to Stevie Wonder. It lost in a cover record war, Wilson reaching #70, Wonder peaking at #2 in Billboard's Hot 100. - Vikki CarrVikki CarrVikki Carr is an American singer and humanitarian from El Paso, Texas. She has performed in a variety of music genres, including jazz, pop and country, but has enjoyed her greatest success singing in Spanish.-Career:After taking the stage name 'Vikki Carr', she signed with Liberty Records in 1962...
used the song as the title track of a 1969 album. - Bobby DarinBobby DarinBobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country...
performed the song live in the early 1970s. - In 1969, Dorothy SquiresDorothy SquiresDorothy Squires was a Welsh vocalist. Among her recordings were versions of "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening", "I'm in the Mood for Love", "Anytime", "If You Love Me " and "And So to Sleep Again".-Biography:...
recorded the song, arranged and conducted by Nicky Welsh on the President label, and had a chart hit in the UK. - Spiral StarecaseSpiral StarecaseThe Spiral Starecase was an American band, best known as a one-hit wonder for their 1969 single "More Today Than Yesterday".The band, from Sacramento, California, was a popular 1960s group, recognizable for its horns and lead singer/guitarist Pat Upton's distinctive voice...
included a recording of this song in their album More Today than Yesterday released by Columbia Records on May 19, 1969. - Desmond DekkerDesmond DekkerDesmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group, The Aces , he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". Other hits include "007 " and "It Miek"...
recorded the song on the 1969 album Israelites. - James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
's version is featured as track 8 on his 1970 Soul on TopSoul on TopSoul on Top is an album by James Brown. Brown and saxophonist Maceo Parker worked with arranger/conductor Oliver Nelson to record a big band, funk and jazz vocal album...
album. - Louis PrimaLouis PrimaLouis Prima was a Sicilian American singer, actor, songwriter, and trumpeter. Prima rode the musical trends of his time, starting with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the 1920s, then successively leading a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the...
recorded the song for his 1970 album Blast Off. A similar arrangement was recorded by Sam Butera in his 2007(?) album When You're Smiling. - Sammy Davis, Jr.Sammy Davis, Jr.Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
has performed the song live in concert. - Judy GarlandJudy GarlandJudy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
performed the song on The Mike Douglas ShowThe Mike Douglas ShowThe Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that aired in syndication from 1961 to 1982, distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations.The program featured light banter with...
in 1968. - In 1986, Dean MartinDean MartinDean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
recorded the song and performed a duet of it with Smokey Robinson in a television appearance. Martin had previously recorded the song solo on his 1970 LP For The Good Times. - In 1996, Dionne FarrisDionne FarrisDionne Farris is an American female R&B/soul musician who sang on three songs with the hip hop group Arrested Development...
sang a version as the closing song in the film The Truth About Cats & DogsThe Truth About Cats & DogsThe Truth About Cats & Dogs is a 1996 American romantic comedy film, starring Janeane Garofalo, Uma Thurman, Ben Chaplin, and Jamie Foxx. It was directed by Michael Lehmann and written by Audrey Wells...
starring Uma Thurman and Janeane Garofalo. - Several people have sung the song on the reality singing competition, American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. Justin GuariniJustin GuariniJustin Guarini is an American singer/songwriter and actor who rose to fame in 2002 as the first runner-up on the debut season of the television show American Idol.-Background:...
sang this during Motown week of the first seasonAmerican Idol (Season 1)The first season of American Idol premiered on June 11, 2002 and continued until September 4, 2002. It was won by Kelly Clarkson...
of the show which became his signature performance. He also covered it on the American Idol: Greatest MomentsAmerican Idol Compilation SeriesThe studio albums in the American Idol compilation series are compilations of songs by American Idol contestants normally released every year towards the end of the season or after the season has ended. For the first 5 seasons, the albums consist of cover songs from all the finalists of the...
CD. Camile VelascoCamile VelascoCiara-Camile Roque Velasco is a Filipino-American singer and was one of the finalists on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series, American Idol...
sang the song, also during Motown week, in the third seasonAmerican Idol (Season 3)The third season of American Idol premiered on Monday, January 19, 2004 and continued until May 26, 2004. The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by an approximate margin of 2% ; the vote total was the highest recorded vote total in the show's history until the...
. In the sixth seasonAmerican Idol (Season 6)The sixth season of American Idol premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company as a two-night, four-hour premiere special on January 16 and January 17, and ran until May 23, 2007. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned to judge once again, and Ryan Seacrest returned as host...
, Melinda DoolittleMelinda DoolittleMelinda Marie Doolittle is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol...
sang this song in her initial audition. In season 8American Idol (season 8)The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol...
, Megan JoyMegan JoyMegan Joy Allman , formerly known as Megan Joy Corkrey, is an American singer-songwriter and actress from Sandy, Utah, who was the ninth place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol. Joy made her acting debut with a small role in the 2011 film Hall Pass...
performed this song during Motown Week, and winner Kris AllenKris AllenKristopher Neil "Kris" Allen is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol...
sang it during Hollywood Week. In season 10American Idol (season 10)The tenth season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2011 and concluded on May 25, 2011, on Fox. The show underwent a number of changes from season nine, including the reduction of the judging panel to its original number of just three judges , a returning executive producer, a new music...
, Scotty McCreeryScotty McCreeryScott Cooke "Scotty" McCreery is an American country singer from Garner, North Carolina . He also won the tenth season of American Idol on May 25, 2011. His debut studio album, Clear as Day was released in October 2011...
performed this song during Motown Week. - It was sung by Keith JackKeith JackKeith Jack was the runner-up on the BBC reality talent show Any Dream Will Do, which offered the chance to be the next West End Joseph for the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice...
in the finals of the talent show, Any Dream Will DoAny Dream Will Do (TV series)Any Dream Will Do, often known as 'Joseph', was a 2007 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. It searched for a new, unknown lead to play Joseph in a West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.The show...
. - In 2003, Canadian-born crooner Michael BubléMichael BubléMichael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
recorded a version of the song on his self-titled debut albumMichael Bublé (album)Michael Bublé is the major label debut album released by Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. The album was released in February 2003.- Production and Composition :...
. - Stevie Wonder's version is featured on the closing credits of the film Monster-in-LawMonster-in-LawMonster-in-Law is a 2005 romantic comedy film directed by Robert Luketic and starring Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, Michael Vartan and Wanda Sykes. It marks a return to cinema for Fonda, being her first film in 15 years after Stanley & Iris. The screenplay is written by Anya Kochoff...
starring Jennifer Lopez & Jane Fonda. - Patti Austin also has a version of the song.
- It was performed on BBC Casting competition "I'd do anything" by Rachel Tucker, one of the hopeful Nancy's, in big band week.
- This song was also performed by Jaclyn VictorJaclyn VictorJaclyn Joshua Thanaraj Victor is a singer and actress, popularly known as Jac, who won the inaugural Malaysian Idol and Ikon Malaysia. For being the winner of Malaysian Idol, she won a recording contract under Sony BMG Entertainment. She is under the management of The 8 Unit. She represented...
, Malaysian first Malaysian IdolMalaysian IdolMalaysian Idol is the Malaysian version of the Idol Series that started in UK, similar to shows such as UK's Pop Idol and American Idol in the franchise. This show is a contest to determine the best young singer in Malaysia, with the winner receiving a major record deal, although some runners-up...
during her debut in Asian IdolAsian IdolAsian Idol is a reality singing competition, which featured winners of Idol competitions from six Southeast and South Asian countries consisting of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam...
. - A German version, entitled Es Kommt Eine Zeit, was published in 2005 by the German soul singer Stefan Gwildis on his album Nur Wegen Dir.
- The X factor's Dionne Mitchell also covered the song as part of Big Band Week.
- Jamaican Rocksteady singer Slim SmithSlim SmithSlim Smith was a ska, rocksteady and reggae singer. In their book Reggae: The Rough Guide , Steve Barrow and Peter Dalton described Smith as "the greatest vocalist to emerge in the rocksteady era".-Biography:Smith first came to prominence as a member of the Victors Youth Band, who were highly...
also covered the song. It is featured in the 1969 album entitled "Unity's Great Reggae Hits" released by Pama's subsidiary Unity label. - Michael McDonaldMichael McDonald (singer)Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
has performed a rendition on his Soul Speak album. - In 2007, Tony BennettTony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
teamed up with Michael BubléMichael BubléMichael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
, Josh GrobanJosh GrobanJoshua Winslow "Josh" Groban is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and record producer. His four solo albums have been certified at least multi-platinum, and in 2007, he was charted as the number-one best selling artist in the United States with over 21 million records in that country...
and Carrie UnderwoodCarrie UnderwoodCarrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
to perform the song on a special 'What's on your iPod' episode of The Oprah Winfrey ShowThe Oprah Winfrey ShowThe Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
. - Michael Bolton recorded a version on his 2006 "Bolton Swings Sinatra" album.
- Willona Woods (Ja'net Dubois) sang the song in an episode of the sitcom Good TimesGood TimesGood Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
, partly in dedication of her newly adopted daughter, Penny. - Craig DavidCraig DavidCraig Ashley David is an English singer and songwriter. He has released five studio albums: Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average, The Story Goes..., Trust Me, Signed Sealed Delivered and a Greatest Hits album...
covered the song on his album Signed Sealed DeliveredSigned Sealed Delivered (Craig David album)-Reception:The album received mixed to negative reviews from music critics. One of the few positive reviews came from The Guardian's critic Carolinne Sullivan, which say that "Craig David's intention, on this Motown-dominated covers album, was to "sing the songs exactly as the original artists...
in 2010. - MirahMirahMirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn , is an American musician based in San Francisco California. She has released five albums under the K Records label.- Background :...
covered the song for Believe Out Loud's A Million Christians for LGBT Equality ad in 2011.
In pop culture
- The song was used during the farewell montage at the end of the 2010 film Shrek Forever AfterShrek Forever AfterShrek Forever After, taglined as The Final Chapter, is a 2010 animated fantasy-comedy film, and the fourth and final installment in the Shrek film series, produced by DreamWorks Animation. The film was released by Paramount Pictures in cinemas on May 20, 2010 in Russia, and on May 21 in the United...
. The song was used to represent Shrek's journey throughout all four films as Shrek Forever After was the final film in the series. - The song was also used in Series 7, Episode 1 of the British comedy Men Behaving BadlyMen Behaving BadlyMen Behaving Badly is a British comedy that was created and written by Simon Nye. It follows the lives of Gary Strang and his flatmates, Dermot Povey and Tony Smart It was first broadcast on ITV in 1992...
. - The song was also used in Season 2 of The HBO Comedy-Drama Entourage.
- The song was also featured in the 2010 film Valentine's DayValentine's Day (film)Valentine's Day is a 2010 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall and based on the novel by Michael Connelly. The screenplay and the story was written by Katherine Fugate, Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, Akiva Goldsman, Rob Reiner, P. J...
. - The song was also recorded by Harry Connick, Jr. for his 2004 album "Only You".
- In 2010, the song was featured in FringeFringe (TV series)Fringe is an American science fiction television series created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The series follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, Massachusetts under the supervision of Homeland Security...
episode 2.20, "Brown BettyBrown Betty (Fringe)"Brown Betty" is the 20th episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and is the only one of the series performed as a musical. The episode was written by co-showrunners Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman, and consulting producer Akiva Goldsman. It was...
," sung by Olivia Dunham in a "fairy tale" that Dr. Walter Bishop was telling Olivia's niece, Ella. The song was subsequently parodied by The Fringemunks as part of a medley that recapped this musical episode's storyline .