Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 23 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Life Arts    H4'ed 2/20/11

THE UNUSUAL STORY OF A GREAT HIT SONG OF THE 60'S

By       (Page 1 of 2 pages)   5 comments
Message Phil Klein
Become a Fan
  (6 fans)

THE UNUSUAL STORY OF A GREAT HIT SONG

                         OF THE 60'S

 

The usual reasons for writing songs (including those  which turned out to be "hits") was the need to have music for particular scenes or routines in Broadway shows, movies or revues.   Occasionally, however, there were instances where songs came to be under strange, if not bizarre circumstances.

 

This is the story of a song with an amazing origin -- and an incident relating to it which surely deserves to be categorized as a synchronicity.*

 

In February of 1957, a Youngstown, Ohio housewife named Sadie Vimmerstedt (who had been a staunch fan of Frank Sinatra) was so affected by her own personal outrage about "what he had done to Nancy," scribbled a note on a piece of lined kitchen calendar paper and sent it to Johnny Mercer, the great lyricist. The following is the substance of what she wrote:

 

"Dear Johnny Mercer, I want you to write a song called "I WANT TO BE AROUND TO PICK UP THE PIECES WHEN SOMEBODY BREAKS YOUR HEART!' Then, Frankie boy will be sorry for what he did to poor Nancy!"

 

In February of 1959, Sadie received a letter from Johnnie Mercer in which he said approximately the following:

  

 

"Dear Sadie:

 

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Interesting 1   Inspiring 1   Valuable 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Phil Klein Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

I have spent a long and interesting life involved in music, as a performer (piano,) educator (at every level from elementary to graduate school,) solo pianist, bandleader, composer/songwriter; entertainer, storyteller and humorist. In my final (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Mother Machree

THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER (some interesting facts)

Danny Boy (One of a Kind!)

THE UNUSUAL STORY OF A GREAT HIT SONG OF THE 60'S

What Everyone Should Know About Einstein and the Atomic Bomb

The Song; My Melancholy Baby

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend