For Once in My Life
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| “For Once in My Life” | |||||
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| Single by Stevie Wonder from the album For Once in My Life |
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| Released | October 15, 1968 | ||||
| Format | 7" single | ||||
| Recorded | Hitsville USA (Studio A); summer 1967 | ||||
| Genre | Soul | ||||
| Length | 2:52 | ||||
| Label | Tamla T 54174 |
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| Writer(s) | Ron Miller Orlando Murden |
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| Producer | Henry Cosby | ||||
| Stevie Wonder singles chronology | |||||
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"For Once in My Life" is a pop song written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records' Jobete publishing company in 1967 (see 1967 in music). The composition was originally recorded by Jean DuShon, while other artists such as Tony Bennett and The Temptations recorded slow-ballad versions of the song.
The most familiar and successful version of "For Once in My Life" is an uptempo hit version by Stevie Wonder, recorded immediately after DuShon's original. Wonder's version, issued on Motown's Tamla label in 1968 (see 1968 in music), was a number-two hit in the United States in late 1968 and early 1969.
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[edit] History
[edit] Jean DuShon version
Jean DuShon had originally been tapped by Ron Miller to demo "For Once in My Life", as he was "fine-tuning" the composition. Miller was impressed by DuShon's rendition of the song, and she released her version as a single on Chess Records' Cadet label early in 1966. Motown CEO Berry Gordy found out that Miller, a Motown staff writer, had given the song to an outside artist, and had Miller immediately make the song available for Motown artist Barbara McNair, who included the song on her November 1966 album release, Here I Am, and later for Stevie Wonder and The Temptations to record. Meanwhile, DuShon's version made no significant impact on the singles charts, but was chosen "Pick Hit of the Week" by Detroit's WXYZ in 1966, but Chess Records dropped the ball by not promoting the record. Miss DuShon was so distraught at the failure of the record, she dropped it from her popular nightclub act. [1][2].
[edit] The Temptations version
The Temptations' version was done in 1967 for their pop standards based album The Temptations in a Mellow Mood. Baritone singer Paul Williams sings the lead vocal on the song, and it resultantly became his showcase number in the Temptations' live shows. Williams' most famous performance of the number was during The Supremes and Temptations' TCB television special in 1968, a performance cited as the apex of Williams' career.
[edit] Tony Bennett version
Also in 1967, "For Once in My Life" became one of Tony Bennett's more successful forays into contemporary songs. His version of the song peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, (#8 on the Easy Listening survey) and was the title track of his album For Once in My Life. "For Once in My Life" remained in Bennett's concert repertoire into the 2000s. In 2006 Bennett teamed up with Stevie Wonder to record a ballad tempo version for his Duets: An American Classic album, for which Bennett and Wonder received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Bennett also performed it on the Grand Finale of American Idol 6.
[edit] Stevie Wonder version
Stevie Wonder's version was recorded at about the same time as The Temptations' in the summer of 1967. However, Berry Gordy did not like Wonder's version, an upbeat rendition produced by Henry Cosby. Gordy vetoed the single's release, and the recording was shelved. Billie Jean Brown, the head of the Motown Quality Control department, finally coerced Gordy into allowing Wonder's version to be released in October 1968.[3]
Contrary to Gordy's instincts, "For Once in My Life" was a highly successful record, peaking at number-two on both the Billboard Pop Singles and Billboard R&B Singles (it was held off from the number-one spot on each chart by another Motown single Gordy had originally vetoed, Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"). "For Once in My Life", issued by Tamla with "Angie Girl" as its b-side, was later included as the title track on Wonder's For Once in My Life album.
[edit] John Farnham version
Australian singer John Farnham recorded a version of For Once In My Life in 1971. It was released on his album titled Johnny.
[edit] Ella Fitzgerald version
Ella Fitzgerald performed a slow rendition of the song live in Berlin in 1968. She began by saying, "There's a song in the States made popular by Tony Bennett. Such a beautiful tune. We'd like to try and sing it for you because we think the lyrics are so gorgeous and the tune itself is beautiful."
[edit] Frank Sinatra version
Frank Sinatra also recorded the song twice, once for his album My Way (1969) and again for his 1994 album, Duets II. His partners on the latter recording were Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder.
[edit] Vonda Shepard version
In the courtroom comedy-drama series Ally McBeal, "For Once in My Life" was performed by show mainstay singer Vonda Shepard. The song was used to "sing" the main character Ally Mcbeal's quest for true love. The song is included in the show's original soundtrack, For Once in My Life, volume 2.
[edit] Other Versions
Bobby Darin performed the song live in the early 1970's.
In 1969, Dorothy Squires recorded the song arranged and conducted by Nicky Welsh on the President label.
James Brown's version is featured as track 8 on his 1970 Soul on Top album.
In 1978, the Brazilian singer Roberto Carlos sang a version on his TV show (Roberto Carlos Especial) with the participation of Freddy Cole at the piano. In 1979, he also sang a version during the show Palhaço (Clown).
In 1986, Dean Martin recorded the song and performed a duet of it with Smokey Robinson in a television appearance.
In 1996, Dionne Farris sang a version as the closing song in the film The Truth About Cats & Dogs.
On the hit show American Idol several people have sung the song. On the first season Justin Guarini sang this during Motown week and that performance became his signature performance and he also sang it on the American Idol: Greatest Moments CD. On the third season Camile Velasco also sang this song during Motown week. On the sixth season Melinda Doolittle sang this song in her initial audition. In the final of the talent show, Any Dream Will Do, it was sung by Keith Jack.
In 2003, Canadian-born crooner Michael Bublé recorded a version of the song on his self-titled debut album.
Stevie Wonder's version is featured on the closing credits of Monster In Law starring Jennifer Lopez & Jane Fonda.
Patti Austin also has a version of the song
It was performed on BBC Casting competition "I'd do anything" by one of the hopeful Nancy's - big band week.
This song was also performed by Jaclyn Victor, Malaysian first Malaysian Idol during her debut in Asian Idol.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "Jean DuShon". Allmusic.com Retrieved from http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:39vyxd7bjold on June 18, 2006.
- ^ Note: Author, David Freeland ("Ladies of Soul") recently contacted (June, 2007) Ron Miller's daughter (Lisa Dawn Miller) and asked her to confirm with her dad who recorded this classic first, Ron Miller said, "Jean DuShon."
- ^ Posner, Gerald (2002). Motown : Music, Money, Sex, and Power. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-375-50062-6.
