Heart of My Heart
Encyclopedia
Heart of My Heart is a popular song. The music and lyrics were written by Ben Ryan
(1892–1968) in 1926
. It reminisces about singing a song called "Heart of My Heart" in a youthful quartet.
(1863–1931) in 1899
, according to the Barbershop Harmony Society
. Mack was a popular Irish actor, singer and comedian who reportedly first sang this song in an 1899 show at The Academy of Music in New York. The show was "The Last of the Rohans," written and produced by Mack.
, as quartets deliver Singing Valentines
to unsuspecting recipients in their homes, offices, classrooms, shops, train stops and other likely and unlikely places. In this context, the verses are usually omitted and only the chorus is sung.
on October 14, 1953 and was issued by Decca Records
. It reached #7 on Billboard. Another version recorded by Don Cornell
, Alan Dale
, and Johnny Desmond
also charted in 1953
, reaching #10 on Billboard. In the United Kingdom
, a version by Max Bygraves
charted at #7.
Other known versions of the song include recordings by Frankie Laine
and Trini Lopez
(who included it on his album Os Grandes Sucessos de Trini Lopez).
Ben Ryan was also the co-writer with Jimmy Durante
of Durante's signature song, "Inka Dinka Doo
" in 1933 and was, as well, a film actor and screen writer.
, this song was a particular favorite of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
; the book mentions that the president often asked his younger brother, Teddy
, to sing it at family gatherings.
The music of the 1926 song was used for the French song "Plus je t'embrasse". The French lyrics, by Max François, bear no relation to the English lyrics. Jazz versions of "Plus je t'embrasse" have been recorded by Blossom Dearie
and by Diana Panton
.
Ben Ryan (composer)
Bennett A. "Ben" Ryan was an American songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics to the popular song Heart of My Heart...
(1892–1968) in 1926
1926 in music
-Events:*January - Blind Lemon Jefferson makes his first recordings.*April 9 - Leopold Stokowski conducts the world premiere of Edgar Varèse's Amériques, with the Philadelphia Orchestra....
. It reminisces about singing a song called "Heart of My Heart" in a youthful quartet.
History and Origins
The original "Heart of My Heart," so longed for in the 1926 song, is also known as "The Story of the Rose," and was written by Andrew MackAndrew Mack (actor)
Andrew Mack was an American vaudevillian, actor, singer and songwriter of Irish descent. Born William Andrew McAloon in Boston, Massachusetts, he began his career in 1876 using the stage name Andrew Williams.- External links :...
(1863–1931) in 1899
1899 in music
- Events :*April 26**Jean Sibelius's Symphony No. 1 is premiered in Helsinki.**Tenor Antonio Paoli makes his début in Rossini's William Tell in Paris.*May 27 - Maurice Ravel conducts the first performance of his song cycle Shéhérazade....
, according to the Barbershop Harmony Society
Barbershop Harmony Society
The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
. Mack was a popular Irish actor, singer and comedian who reportedly first sang this song in an 1899 show at The Academy of Music in New York. The show was "The Last of the Rohans," written and produced by Mack.
Barbershop song reminisced about
The earlier 1899 song is a standard among barbershop quartets the world over. It is one of the most popular songs sung on Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
, as quartets deliver Singing Valentines
Singing Valentines
Singing Valentines is the name for a fundraising program that is popular with barbershop choruses in the U.S.The delivery of Singing Valentines is usually done by a barbershop quartet from a chapter affiliated with the three major U.S...
to unsuspecting recipients in their homes, offices, classrooms, shops, train stops and other likely and unlikely places. In this context, the verses are usually omitted and only the chorus is sung.
Other versions
A version of the popular 1926 song was recorded by The Four AcesThe Four Aces
The Four Aces is an American male traditional pop music quartet, popular since the 1950s. Over the last half-century, the group amassed many gold records. Its million-selling signature tunes include "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", "Three Coins in the Fountain", "Stranger in Paradise", "Tell Me...
on October 14, 1953 and was issued by Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. It reached #7 on Billboard. Another version recorded by Don Cornell
Don Cornell
Don Cornell was an American singer prominent mainly in the 1940s and 1950s noted for his smooth but robust baritone voice....
, Alan Dale
Alan Dale (singer)
Alan Dale was an American singer of traditional popular and rock and roll music.-Early life:He was born Aldo Sigismondi in the Brooklyn borough of New York...
, and Johnny Desmond
Johnny Desmond
Johnny Desmond , born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone, was a popular American singer.-Early years:...
also charted in 1953
1953 in music
-Events:*February 6 – Contralto Kathleen Ferrier, already terminally ill with cancer, leaves Covent Garden Opera House on a stretcher after being taken ill on the second night of her run in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice....
, reaching #10 on Billboard. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, a version by Max Bygraves
Max Bygraves
Max Bygraves OBE is an English comedian, singer, actor and variety performer. He appeared on his own television shows, sometimes performing comedy sketches between songs...
charted at #7.
Other known versions of the song include recordings by Frankie Laine
Frankie Laine
Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio , was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005...
and Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
(who included it on his album Os Grandes Sucessos de Trini Lopez).
Ben Ryan was also the co-writer with Jimmy Durante
Jimmy Durante
James Francis "Jimmy" Durante was an American singer, pianist, comedian and actor. His distinctive clipped gravelly speech, comic language butchery, jazz-influenced songs, and large nose helped make him one of America's most familiar and popular personalities of the 1920s through the 1970s...
of Durante's signature song, "Inka Dinka Doo
Inka Dinka Doo
Inka Dinka Doo is a 1933 popular song with words and lyrics written by Jimmy Durante and Ben Ryan. By 1934 the song was a major hit record and it became Durante's theme song for the rest of his life....
" in 1933 and was, as well, a film actor and screen writer.
Cultural references
According to the book Grace and Power: The Private World of the Kennedy White House by Sally Bedell SmithSally Bedell Smith
Sally Bedell Smith is an American historian and best selling author specializing in the history of American broadcasting and American political figures. She is married to former U.S. News & World Report editor Stephen G. Smith.-Career:...
, this song was a particular favorite of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
; the book mentions that the president often asked his younger brother, Teddy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
, to sing it at family gatherings.
The music of the 1926 song was used for the French song "Plus je t'embrasse". The French lyrics, by Max François, bear no relation to the English lyrics. Jazz versions of "Plus je t'embrasse" have been recorded by Blossom Dearie
Blossom Dearie
Blossom Dearie was an American jazz singer and pianist, often performing in the bebop genre and remembered for her girlish voice.-Early career:...
and by Diana Panton
Diana Panton
Diana Ariadne Panton is a Canadian jazz vocalist. Her second album, "If the Moon Turns Green", received a nomination for the Juno Awards of 2009 in the category of Vocal Jazz Album of the Year....
.
External links
- Singing Valentines, as promoted by the Barbershop Harmony SocietyBarbershop Harmony SocietyThe Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. , is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C...
- Information on Mack and his shows.