User:Trevortnidesserped/Symphony (1945 song)

"Symphony" is a 1945 song written by Alex Alstone, André Tabet and Roger Bernstein. Originally performed by Freddy Martin, and made into a hit several other times by various artists, the song is also notable for having topped Billboard's Hot 100, sales, jukebox, radio, and Honor Roll of Hits charts.

Freddy Martin recording

A Billboard writer Page 87 of 11/24/45 issue, Freddy Martin: "Freddy Martin dips into his familiar concerto groove to give forth Jack Lawrence's version of Andre Tabet-Alstone's Symphony tone poem. The Strad section, Steinway and saxes set forth the mood melody at a bright tempo, with Clyde Rogers registering for the lyrical story in song. While it doesn't hold the interest of a Tchaikovsky piece, the spinning is interesting enough to make it count. Couplet is completed with a breezy and toe-tappinng rhythm ditty, In the Middle of May, with the harmonizing of the Martian Men quartet carrying the lyrics for the merry song. For those hankering another creation in the Martin manner, "Symphony" will make the phono grade in spite of its unfamiliar melody and uninviting title."

Benny Goodman & Liza Morrow recording

Of Benny Goodman's version, a writer for Billboard praised his "thoroughly commercial treatment to the haunting melody," and "[application of] a righteous rhythmic base for his own exciting clarineting [that] makes the blues strain really rock in whimsical fashion", as well as Liza Morrow's "thrushing," "torch tonsiling," and "lyrical rhapsodizing," calling her overall "a real acquisition for this aggregation." Billboard Magazine page 27 for issue December 1, 1945 (the one with the Santas) but keep looking through that issue for more info about the song and other covers

Chart performance

At least six variations of the song had reached the Billboard Hot 100, with five having reached the top ten. Throughout late 1945 and 1946, Freddy Martin and Jo Stafford's covers landed at No. 1 and No. 4 respectively. Later in 1946, Benny Goodman, Bing Crosby and Guy Lombardo released their covers, which charted at numbers 2, 3 and 10 respectively. Four of these versions also reached the year-end top singles of 1946 list, with Martin, Crosby, Goodman and Stafford placing 17, 20, 27 and 32 respectively. In 1959, Sammy Turner released a cover, which peaked at number 82.

Of Benny Goodman's version, a writer for Billboard praised his "thoroughly commercial treatment to the haunting melody," and "[application of] a righteous rhythmic base for his own exciting clarineting [that] makes the blues strain really rock in whimsical fashion", as well as Liza Morrow's "thrushing," "torch tonsiling," and "lyrical rhapsodizing," calling her overall "a real acquisition for this aggregation." Billboard Magazine page 27 for issue December 1, 1945 (the one with the Santas) but keep looking through that issue for more info about the song and other covers