Wikipedia

Fly Me to the Moon

For other uses, seeFly Me to the Moon (disambiguation).

"Fly Me to the Moon",originally titled"In Other Words",is a song written in 1954 byBart Howard.The first recording of the song was made in 1954 byKaye Ballard.Frank Sinatra's1964 version was closely associated with theApollo missions to the Moon.

"In Other Words"
First recording titled "In Other Words"
SongbyKaye Ballard
ReleasedApril 1954
Recorded1954
GenreJazz
Length2:14
LabelDecca
Songwriter(s)Bart Howard

In 1999, theSongwriters Hall of Famehonored "Fly Me to the Moon" by inducting it as a "Towering Song".[1]

Background and composition

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In 1954, when he began to write the song that became "Fly Me to the Moon", Bart Howard had been pursuing a career in music for over 20 years, Howard wrote the song for his partner Thomas Fowler.[2]He played piano to accompanycabaretsingers, but also wrote songs withCole Porter,his idol, in mind.[3] In response to a publisher's request for a simpler song,[4]Bart Howard wrote a cabaret ballad[5]which he titled "In Other Words". A publisher tried to make him change some words from "fly me to the Moon" to "take me to the Moon," but Howard refused.[6]Many years later Howard commented that "... it took me 20 years to find out how to write a song in 20 minutes."[6]

He used his position as a piano accompanist and presenter at the Blue Angel cabaret venue to promote the song,[4]and it was soon introduced incabaretperformances byFelicia Sanders.[3]

The song was composed in3
4time signaturebut was changed to4
4byQuincy Jonesin his arrangement.[7][citation needed]

Early recordings

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Kaye Ballardcirca late 1950s

Kaye Ballardmade the song's first[8]commercial recording, released byDeccain April 1954.[9]A brief review published on May 8, 1954, inBillboardsaid that "In Other Words" was "...a love song sung with feeling by Miss Ballard."[10]This recording was released as theflipsideof "Lazy Afternoon", which Kaye Ballard was currently performing as star of the stage showThe Golden Apple.[11]

Over the next few years,jazzand cabaret singers releasedcover versionsof "In Other Words" onEPorLP recordalbums,includingChris Connor,[12]Johnny Mathis,[13]Portia Nelson,[14]andNancy Wilson.[15]Eydie Gormésang the song on her 1958 albumEydie In Love(under the title "In Other Words" ),[16]which reached No. 20 in theCashboxAlbum Charts.[17]

Subsequent recordings and uses

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In 1960,Peggy Leereleased the song on the albumPretty Eyes,[18]then made it more popular when she performed it in front of a large television audience onThe Ed Sullivan Show.[3]As the song's popularity increased, it became better known as "Fly Me to the Moon",[19]and in 1963 Peggy Lee convinced Bart Howard to make the name change official.[6]Connie Francisreleased two non-English versions of the song in 1963: in Italian as "Portami Con Te"[20]and in Spanish as "Llévame a la Luna".[21]

Fly Me to the Moon Bossa Nova1963 album by Joe Harnell

In 1962,Joe Harnellarranged and recorded an instrumental version in abossa novastyle. It was released as a single in late 1962.[22][23]Harnell's version spent 13 weeks on theBillboardHot 100chart, reaching No. 14 on February 23, 1963,[24]while reaching No. 4 onBillboard'sMiddle-Road Singleschart.[25][26]It reached No. 30 inCanada.[27]Harnell's version was ranked No. 89 onBillboard's end of year ranking "Top Records of 1963".[28]Harnell's recording won him aGrammy Awardat the5th Annual Grammy AwardsforBest Performance by an Orchestra – for Dancing.[29][30]His version was included on his albumFly Me to the Moon and the Bossa Nova Pops[31]released in early 1963, which reached No. 3 stereo album on theBillboardTop LP'schart.[32]

Julie Londonincluded a cover of the song for her 1963 albumThe End of the World.[33]Paul Ankareleased a version of "Fly Me To The Moon" in 1963, appearing in his albumOur Man Around the World.[34]

Frank Sinatraincluded the song on his 1964 albumIt Might as Well Be Swing,accompanied byCount Basie.[35]The music for this album was arranged byQuincy Jones,[35][36]who had worked with Count Basie a year earlier on the albumThis Time by Basie,which also included a version of "Fly Me to the Moon".[37]Will Friedwaldcommented that "Jones boosted the tempo and put it into an even four/four" for Basie's version, but "when Sinatra decided to address it with the Basie/Jones combination they recharged it into a straight swinger... [which]...all but explodes with energy".[5]Bart Howard estimated that by the time Frank Sinatra covered the song in 1964, more than 100 other versions had been recorded.[5]

Bobby Womackrecorded a version that was released in 1968 onMinit Records,from his albumFly Me to the Moon.His rendition reached No. 52 on theBillboardHot 100 and No. 16 on theR&B chart.[38]Occasionally on theCBSseriesWKRP in Cincinnati,an instrumental sampling of "Fly Me To The Moon" was used as adoorbellmelody during scenes taking place in the apartment of characterJennifer Marlowe.[39]

Bengali-Pakistani pop singerAlamgirrecorded the Urdu version of this song titledKya Tum Mere Ho(are you mine). The song was released in 1981 for his album Alamgir Sings for Himself.

By 1995, the song had been recorded more than 300 times.[11]According to a poll conducted by Japanese music magazineCD&DL Datain 2016 about the most representative songs associated with the Moon, the cover versions by Claire Littley andYoko Takahashiranked 7th by 6,203 respondents.[40]The Claire cover version won the Planning Award of Heisei Anisong Grand Prize among the anime theme songs from 1989 to 1999, following its appearance in the end credits ofNeon Genesis Evangelion.[41]

Westlifecovered the song on their 2004 album...Allow Us to Be Frank.The song was released as the second single from the record on 20 December 2004.

Richard Simmons'slast wordswere a loose paraphrase of the song's lyrics.[42]

Eleanna Finokalioti,a Greek singer-actress, published on YouTube a new live version of this song on September 26th, 2024 from her performance with band Fin Trio at the famous music venueCutting Roomin Manhattan, NY.

NASA association

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Quincy Jonespresents platinum copies of Frank Sinatra's album to SenatorJohn GlennandApollo 11CommanderNeil Armstrong

Frank Sinatra's 1964 recording of "Fly Me to the Moon" became closely associated withNASA'sApollo space program.A copy of the song was played on aSony TC-50portable cassette player on theApollo 10mission which orbited the Moon,[43]and also onApollo 11before the first landing on the Moon.[44][45]The song's association with Apollo 11 was reprised many years later whenDiana Krallsang it at the mission's 40th anniversary commemoration ceremony,[46]and also for mission commanderNeil Armstrong's memorial service in 2012.[47]

Certifications

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Frank Sinatra's version

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[48] Gold 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[49] Gold 35,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Platinum 600,000‡

‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^"1999 Award and Induction Ceremony".Songwriters Hall of Fame. June 9, 1999. Archived fromthe originalon December 7, 2013.RetrievedDecember 7,2013.
  2. ^"Famous Iowans - Bart Howard | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com".Data.desmoinesregister.com. Archived fromthe originalon December 7, 2013.RetrievedDecember 7,2013.
  3. ^abcSTEPHEN HOLDEN (February 23, 2004)."Bart Howard, 88, Songwriter Known for 'Fly Me to the Moon' - New York Times".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 19, 2013.RetrievedDecember 7,2013.
  4. ^ab""Fly Me to the Moon": Song History, Commentary, Discography, Performances on Video ".Greatamericansongbook.net.February 23, 2004.Archivedfrom the original on August 18, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  5. ^abcWill Friedwald,Sinatra! The Song Is You: A Singer's Art,Scribner, New York, 1995, page 411
  6. ^abcStephen Holden (December 19, 1988)."Product of 20 Minutes: A Million Dollar Song".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 19, 2013.RetrievedNovember 26,2013.
  7. ^Interview with Quincy Jones. Appeared in the cover of Frank Sinatra & Count Basie 1964 album "It Might As Well Be".Transcript
  8. ^Barnes, Mike; Byrge, Duane (January 22, 2019)."Kaye Ballard Dead: 'Mothers-in-Law' Star Was 93".Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJanuary 28,2021.
  9. ^"Kaye Ballard - In Other Words / Lazy Afternoon - Decca - USA - 9-29114".45cat.com.November 25, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  10. ^Billboard.May 8, 1954. p. 24.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  11. ^abLiz Smith, Liner Notes for the CD Portia Nelson,Let Me Love You: Portia Nelson Sings the Songs of Bart Howard,DRG 91442, 1995
  12. ^Chris.Chris ConnoratAllMusic.Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  13. ^In Other Words.Johnny MathisatAllMusic.Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  14. ^Cross, Lucy E."Portia Nelson".The Official Masterworks Broadway Site.RetrievedJanuary 28,2021.
  15. ^Like in Love/Something Wonderful.Nancy WilsonatAllMusic.Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  16. ^"ABC-Paramount Album Discography, Part 2".Bsnpubs.com.September 1, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on October 16, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  17. ^Carolyn Hope (September 11, 2007)."Barry's Hits of All Decades Pop rock n roll Music Chart Hits".Hitsofalldecades.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 19, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  18. ^"Pretty Eyes - Peggy Lee".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2018.
  19. ^"Bart Howard: 1915-2004".Jazzhouse.org.Archivedfrom the original on March 1, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  20. ^"Connie Francis - Mala Femmena / Portami Con Te (Fly Me To The Moon) - MGM - Italy - K 2078".45cat.com.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  21. ^"Connie Francis—Connie Francis Canta en Español—MGM, Spain".45cat.com.February 15, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  22. ^"Reviews of New Singles",Billboard,November 10, 1962. p. 52. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  23. ^Thompson, Dave(2016).Standard Catalog of American Records[permanent dead link‍],F+W Media, Inc.p. 567. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  24. ^Hot 100 - Joe Harnell and His Orchestra Fly Me to the Moon - Bossa Nova Chart HistoryArchived2018-05-12 at theWayback Machine,Billboard.com.Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  25. ^"Middle-Road Singles",Billboard,February 23, 1963. p. 42. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  26. ^Adult Contemporary - Joe Harnell and His Orchestra Fly Me to the Moon - Bossa Nova Chart HistoryArchived2018-05-12 at theWayback Machine,Billboard.com.Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  27. ^"CHUM Hit Parade - February 4, 1963".
  28. ^"Top Records of 1963",Billboard,Section II, December 28, 1963. p. 30. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  29. ^"Joe Harnell".Recording AcademyGrammy Awards.RetrievedDecember 5,2023.
  30. ^"Joe Harnell, 80; Pianist, Conductor, Composer, Arranger - Los Angeles Times".Articles.latimes.com. September 29, 1994.Archivedfrom the original on December 18, 2013.RetrievedDecember 7,2013.
  31. ^"Fly Me to the Moon and the Bossa Nova Pops - Joe Harnell & His Orchestra, Joe Harnell".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2018.
  32. ^"Billboard Top LP's for Week Ending March 16".Billboard.March 16, 1963. p. 66.RetrievedFebruary 17,2018.
  33. ^The End of the WorldatAllMusic
  34. ^Our Man Around the World - Paul Anka,AllMusic,retrievedJanuary 27,2021
  35. ^ab"It Might as Well Be Swing - Count Basie, Frank Sinatra".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2018.
  36. ^"It Might as Well Be Swing - Count Basie, Frank Sinatra - Credits".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2018.
  37. ^"This Time by Basie: Hits of the 50s - Count Basie".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2018.
  38. ^"Bobby Womack Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts".www.musicvf.com.
  39. ^"WKRP and Stupid Copyright Laws".Outside the Beltway.April 1, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 27,2021.
  40. ^"“Nguyệt ( ＭＯＯＮ ) からイメージする khúc” ランキング. ～ âm lặc tình báo マガジン『ＣＤ＆ＤＬでーた』～ ".PRTIMES(in Japanese). September 26, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon June 26, 2021.
  41. ^"Evangelion's" Cruel Angel's Thesis "Theme Song Takes Heisei Anisong Grand Prize".Anime News Network.March 5, 2019.
  42. ^Garner, Glenn (July 21, 2024)."Richard Simmons' Team Shares His Final Prepared Social Media Post 1 Week After Death".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJuly 22,2024.
  43. ^"Lunar Collections: April 2006".Apollotribute2.blogspot.com.au.April 13, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on August 7, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  44. ^Music on the Moon: Meet Mickey Kapp, Master of Apollo 11's Astro-Mixtapes
  45. ^Diane K. Shah (November 18, 1990)."On Q".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2013.RetrievedDecember 1,2013.
  46. ^"NASA - NASA TV's This Week @NASA, July 24".Nasa.gov.July 24, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  47. ^"Neil Armstrong remembered at public memorial".BBC News.September 13, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on July 29, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
  48. ^"Danish single certifications – Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon".IFPI Danmark.RetrievedSeptember 25,2021.
  49. ^"Italian single certifications – Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon"(in Italian).Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana.RetrievedFebruary 17,2021.Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Fly Me to the Moon" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  50. ^"British single certifications – Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon".British Phonographic Industry.RetrievedAugust 25,2023.
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