What was the number one song in the UK on 27th June 1958?
By Hayley Beasley Dye
American singer, Vic Damone was at number one with On the Street Where You Live for 2 weeks.
Oh good, I like a good song from a musical and this one is originally from My Fair Lady. Ok, so Wikipedia below says that in the film version of My Fair Lady John Michael King played the character of Freddie (who sang this song), but I’m pretty sure it was Jeremy Brett. However, the vocals were definitely done by Bill Shirley (can you imagine actors being overdubbed now?). Anyway, this particular version is by Vic Damone and it’s really rather lovely. In a very 1950s musical way. His vocals are perfect and very soothing. However, is this song actually just a socially acceptable narrative about stalking? Just saying…
Wikipedia
“On the Street Where You Live” is a song with music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner from the 1956 Broadway musical My Fair Lady. It is sung in the musical by the character Freddy Eynsford-Hill, who was portrayed by John Michael King in the original production. In the 1964 film version, it was sung by Bill Shirley, dubbing for actor Jeremy Brett. The most popular single of the song was recorded by Vic Damone in 1956 for Columbia Records. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard chart and #6 on Cashbox magazine’s chart. It was a No. 1 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1958. Eddie Fisher also had a top 20 Billboard hit with the song in 1956, reaching No. 18. Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra released a version that went to No. 96 in 1956. Andy Williams’ recording appeared in the Billboard top 40 in 1964, reaching No. 3 on the adult contemporary chart and #28 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lyrics
“I have often walked down this street before
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before
All at once am I several stories high
Knowing I’m on the street where you live
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before
All at once am I several stories high
Knowing I’m on the street where you live
Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?
Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?
Does enchantment pour out of every door?
No, it’s just on the street where you live
Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?
Does enchantment pour out of every door?
No, it’s just on the street where you live
And oh, the towering feeling just to know somehow you are near
The overpowering feeling that any second you may suddenly appear
The overpowering feeling that any second you may suddenly appear
People stop and stare, they don’t bother me
For there’s nowhere else on earth that I would rather be
Let the time go by, I won’t care if I
Can be here on the street where you live”
For there’s nowhere else on earth that I would rather be
Let the time go by, I won’t care if I
Can be here on the street where you live”
The Playlist
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