COVER vs ORIGINAL: ‘Sealed With A Kiss’

The song, “Sealed With A Kiss”, was originally recorded by The Four Voices in 1960

Gary Geld and Peter Udell (b.1934) wrote the song “Sealed With A Kiss” for American group The Four Voices – Allan Chase, Sal Mayo, Bill McBride and Frank Fosta – in May 1960, although this was not a commercial hit and was also the last single recorded and released by the quartet.

American singer Brian Hyland (b.1943) recorded the track for his third studio album in 1962 and it was released as the lead and ultimately the title track of the album in May that year. His version peaked at No.3 on both the US and UK singles charts. It was later re-released in 1975 and this time reached No.7 in the UK.

Jerry Lewis’ son and his band, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, released a cover of the song in 1967 which made No.19 in America and No.7 in Canada, while Bobby Vinton also took his version to No.19 in the US in 1972, “Sealed With A Kiss” was also the title of his studio album released that same year.

In 1989, Australian actor and singer Jason Donovan recorded his version for his debut album “Ten Good Reasons“. His recording was released as a single at the end of May that year and went to No.1 in the UK, his third consecutive chart topper there, while peaking at No.8 in Australia and becoming a top ten hit all across Europe.

But which version is the best? BRIAN HYLAND’s 60’s version or JASON DONOVAN’s 80’s version?