Jump to content

Say It Isn't So (Irving Berlin song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Say It Isn't So"
Single by George Olsen and His Orchestra
Released1932
GenrePopular
LabelVictor Records
Songwriter(s)Irving Berlin
George Olsen and His Orchestra singles chronology
"Please"
(1932)
"Say It Isn't So"
(1932)
"There's Nothing the Matter with Me"
(1932)

"Say It Isn't So" is a popular torch song by Irving Berlin, published in 1932. The song was written when Berlin was suffering a loss of confidence following several setbacks, and he initially placed the song in a drawer, feeling that it would not be successful. However, one of Berlin's employees, Max Winslow, heard it, and on his own initiative, took it to Rudy Vallée, who was then a major star on radio. Vallee sang it on his radio show and it became an immediate hit.[1]

George Olsen and His Orchestra released a version in 1932 that reached No. 1, and other popular versions in 1932 were by Ozzie Nelson, Connee Boswell and Vallée.[2][3] Alfredo Antonini and his orchestra collaborated with Victoria Cordova and John Serry Sr. to record the work for Muzak in the 1940s.[4]

Cover versions

[edit]

The song has been recorded many times by different artists. Notable versions include:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bergreen, Laurence (1990). As Thousands Cheer - The Life of Irving Berlin. New York: Viking Penguin Inc. pp. 305–306. ISBN 0-340-53486-9.
  2. ^ George Olsen and His Orchestra, "Say It Isn't So" Chart Position Retrieved September 14, 2013
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 575. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  4. ^ Victoria Cordova and the Alfredo Antonini Orchrestra perform "Say It Isn't So" as archived at The Library of Congress Online Catalog at catalog.loc.gov
  5. ^ Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, "Connee Boswell" Chart Position Retrieved September 14, 2013
  6. ^ Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, "Say It Isn't So" Chart Position Retrieved September 14, 2013
  7. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 465.
  10. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  11. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  12. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Nathanael Cooper (14 June 2012). "Lucy Maunder brings her love of old-world music to Noosa Longweekend". Courier Mail. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  16. ^ Padua, Pat (January 23, 2017). "The Caretaker: Everywhere at the End of Time". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved 13 April 2021.