Bobby Darin - Softly, As I Leave You

[MySweetestMoments]

beautiful tune, today a few dj's and I were discussing favorite Bobby Darrin songs I forgot this one!

[chilledchips]

I lost my father a year ago, this was one of his favourite songs. As Ileft my dad for the last time, knowing that I'd never see him again this song was going through my mind. This is a beautiful version; I know Dad wuold have loved it. Thanks for the post he would have apreciated it.

[MsBuckleyfan]

My mom would have loved this...thank you for posting.

[lorenzo65213]

il migliore cantante del secolo scorso oltre tutto italiano,grande artista a 360 gradi,anche un oscar come miglior attore non protagonista in film .sconosciuto in italia ,ma noi italiani viviamo in una bolla mediatica ,poco ci arriva da altri stati se non gli scarti.tornando a bobby,voce interpretazione ,se ben badate basta solo a volte la sua voce che è già uno strumento una sinfonia altrochè i partecipanti di amici ,hanno così da correre solo x eguagliare tale maestria viva il grande .bobby

[MsLittleflower62]

love this song................

[lynsaye]

oh and my heart would break...

[TheWhitewatermom]

Bobby could sing anything put in front of him. I bet that if he'd had a healthy heart he could have made a fantastic Broadway star as well as night club singer. He makes every song sound as if he's singing it to just you. Wow.

[mocrg]

The best orchestration of this song. Darin is really good, I've never heard him sing this style before.

[MsLittleflower62]

love this song, melts your heart x

[MrDoncos]

Lovely version by a great artist

[grandadpoppyable]

A very Percy Faith,,ish orchestral backing kinda sound. Nice

[fingletoad]

Oh my gosh....if anyone needs a reason to cry....Bobby's voice is velvet and he was an absolute genius in so many ways taken far too soon. Thanks for posting.

[mrwsd88]

a great song it i think the frank sinatra edition is the best

[rudedanny]

@mrwsd88 I tend to disagree... I think Bobby Darin gives Ol' Blue Eyes a run for his money...

I have had this single ever since it's release. This was the b-side to 'In A World Without You'..

[MrsDwightFrye]

This so beautiful, tears literally filled my eyes to overflowing!

Bobby had such emotion in his songs, they just pull at your heart strings.

I love and miss you Bobby

[bunternut]

Darin died when he was only 37, was he a better singer then Munro or a better live performer then Sinatra, I dont know I never saw any of them in their prime, although I did see Sinatra in London, when he was quite old, but I found this quote from Sammy Davis Jr often spoken of as the greatest live performer ever,

"Bobby was the only person I never wanted to follow"

Davis would have known them all. Speaks volumes does it not.

[bunternut]

Matt Monroe 1962 was the first to record this with English lyrics written by Hal Shaper a friend. I believe it was originally recorded in Italian but i'm not sure.

[sde213]

the best song of all time

[JadeTomZ]

after Sinatra come all the rest. bobby darrin heads that list..............

[Zomgcake1]

So much emotion, so much... makes me think about life

[Japanese1970]

Who was the original artist of this song?

All the while, I thought it was Matt Monroe.

[LOVEMESEXY111]

I wish i could get people to listen to my tributes to bobby and frank. I don't have a video card with enough memory to do full songs, however I've recorded this on the Trombone in the style of Bill Watrous. One day I will be heard.... Go BOBBY your spirit lives on and I envy your determination to do standards when your label wanted rock n roll.... I'm at that point as well. It's very tough to stand your ground unless you believe in what you do and I love making this kind of music.

[redrozsa]

Kellemes videó:)

[hellgate67]

I nearly cry every time I hear this song (Softly As I Leave You) by Bobby Darin. He left us way too soon; but he had talent!!!!! His songs are in my music library.

I cry for two reasons: Bobby Darin is gone and this song is the last song I played while my brother lay dying in the hospital.

I find consolation in knowing their life journey is over. I have to finish my journey still.

[natita1111]

bella, bella, bella!!!!!

[lucyluperu]

This song is "to die for"......

[Mondibaby]

very nice job on the clip ... got an artsy feel to it and the song is beautiful anyway ...

[philillie]

I hope you Bobby and Sandy are now together in Heaven, together. philillie

[MsTritop]

Abeautiful song goes around the world..................sending peace in our heart. Thank you Bobby .

[MarkinDC]

I'm a long-time Darin fan, and usually like how he swings things, but he really brings out the loneliness in this song, it's from his "Venice Blue" album. THANKS for posting.

[Zuleiga1]

I sang this song to my son when he was little & I had to return to work. Twenty years later my beautiful boy passed away & I miss him like the daily oxygen I breathe

[grangeinboston]

@Zuleiga1 I cannot imagine your pain.Know this.Someone you will never meet just spent twenty minutes weeping over your loss.I have sons.I cannot ...much love to you

[rollerman22]

matt had a better voice

[pappy154451956]

thinking of you tonight Teresa --send me down a smile girl.

[tinamac916]

Like the Michael Buble version, but still prefer Bobby Darin's. It's just such a nice song that several performers have sung very well, each in their own way.

[pimpmaster19702]

This is a great version, but if you people love this song, you have to hear Michael Buble's version of this. It's one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard, and to hear Elvis explain the meaning behind the song, made it that much better...hope you can find it....

[PatriciaSpillman]

I enjoy all of Bobby Darin's songs especially His love songs. I loved the way that he adlibbed when he sang "Beyond The Sea" and "Mack The Knife" in his concerts..He was great. Even though he was really sick and needed oxygen breaks he finished his shows and was terrific. He hid his breathing difficulties from his auciences. He loved entertaining so much that he would rather sing than give up his joy of singing. He would rather take oxygen than give up singing for us. See you in heaven Bobby.

[lkl8]

@PatriciaSpillman Thanks for explaining that. I never understood the end to the movie about him.

[PatriciaSpillman]

I am glad that what I wrote helped you understand Bobby's struggle to survive his heart condition and keep on singing..He is to be honored with The Lifetime Acheivement Award fromThe Grammy Awards Saturday, January30, 2010. the Grammy Awards will be on television this Sunday, January 31, 2010 on CBS. His son, Dodd will be accepting the award for his father. My sister is going to tape the award presentation for me and her. We are both fans of Bobby Darin. I hope you will be able to watch it.

[Sunnia0786]

This song reminds me when i have to leave somebody...

[Babyfromnewjersey]

This song reminds me of when my best friends died. RIP msgr. demski and msgr. bogdan.

[apollowoman]

GRAMMY ALERT! BOBBY DARIN will finally get a Lifetime Achievement Grammy on Jan 30 , 2010! Yeaah!

[PatriciaSpillman]

@apollowoman Yea! This is great! After his death 36 years ago. I wrote to the grammy awards headquartersabout 5years ago. at leasr three times to ask them to give this talented man a Lifetime Acheivement Award. He died too young and deserves this award. my tears are coming. He should be remembered this way. I am so very happy.

[annerenzo]

This is really great. Thanks for posting. Fabulous song and singer. Always loved Darin. Shame he left us so early.

[Perrygodmother]

A great singing voice does not draw crowds,. A great voice is a balm for souls with open wounds.

[PatriciaSpillman]

And that is what Bobbgy's voice is for me. A calming reminder of a great and kind man who sang about love in order to convey love to everyone.

[wonderfulhuman161]

Nice imagery and colors to go with a brilliant Bobby Darin classic. Thanks for the post.

[ScoutCrafter]

Bobby Darin was awesome! I think you will also enjoy the cover of this song by John Gary- Check it out!

[dagodino]

WOW! that was a fantastic version. I think its

right on par with Sinatra's.

[loisannfisher]

first half of Sinatra's version is better, and the last half of Darin's is better. They are equal which is hard to do when up against Sinatra or Elvis.

[coolcelt]

@loisannfisher Both great but the Matt Monro version beats both in my opinion, and I'm the biggest Sinatra fan ever.

[fek2000]

Bobby Darin died at age 38. Just think what Sinatra accomplished AFTER age 38. Darin would have been just as great if not better. And any comparisons to Matt Monro...please. Let's not insult Darin's memory. There are no comparisons.

[PatriciaSpillman]

I do not know Matt Munro but only Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. can be compared to Bobby Darin. Bobby was 37 when he died. Both Bobby and Frank and Sammy were the greatest entertainers then and now. There will never be three other entertainers like them.

[mb7668]

Matt Monro's version is up here on Youtube. He was a wonderful singer. I like all the versions of this song, but I think Monro's might be the best known, along with Sinatra's.

[CrankCase08]

I'd say Matt Munroe's IS definitely the best version.

[cobbywebbo]

I agree his is the best interpretation, but any good singer can do this wonderful song justice.

[ELVISFREE1977]

ELVIS performed this song many times in Vegas. Elvis's is KING of Entertainment .nobody can touch him!

[PatriciaSpillman]

Dear, ELVISFREE1977: I know that Elvis was just as wonderful an entertainer as Bobby and loved people as much as Bobby. Both Bobby and Elvis were men with a great love for others and great musical talent. That is why you and I and millions of others love them and will remember them forever.

[paintedwarriors]

Michael Buble' did a wonderful job too.

[PatriciaSpillman]

This is Bobby's most beautiful performance. He sang this from his heart. It makes me think that he was remembering Sandra as he sang this song.

[tad19082]

This song is purportetly about a spouse in bed with his spouse,then leaving stealthily due to having a terminal disease(Bobby D. could identify with song) & sparing other spouse the pain of seeing him suffer. Something like that.

Ted deCerchio

[lildoozcoop]

Huh!! A song about Terminal Illness, tad19082??!! More likely he's walking out on a long-time lover and is too cowardly to tell her to her face "long before you beg me to stay" etc..

[alpha3327]

I do believe you are wrong, lildooz. There are several stories concerning the origins of this song, but none with the thesis you imply. Listen to Elvis Presley's version for the more accepted story.

[stimpyleon]

This version has something others lack... EMOTION.

Sinatra is GOD, but this song belongs to Darin.

[franklindavid]

Talented Crooner! his music will live on.

[BlueEyedMermaid52]

First of all, the instrumentals are much more beautiful in this than the Munro version. Also Bobby sings about an octave lower. But again, it's the emotion in the voice. It's not about just singing and hitting notes, it's about does the song evoke emotion and feeling in you?? That was something that Bobby seemed to have a gift for above others. I have listened to all of them, they just don't move me the way he does.

[jonty9999]

this moved me to....your words are perfect ....

[mb7668]

"Also Bobby sings about an octave lower. "

An octave lower?? Both are baritones and Bobby actually sings this a notch higher than Matt.

Both did a nice job. Also like Sinatra's.

[marie1941]

@wonderfulBlueEyedMermaid52

[Emerystreet]

@BlueEyedMermaid52 You know something, I wish I had said all that you have. I liked the comparison with Matt and I am not about to change my view of Matt's version but heavens this version is as beautiful. I am an Indian, live in Calcutta and listen a lot to Tagore songs. Although I do not speak Bengali too cleverly and understand it even less...Tagore had this amazing way to 'evoke emotion' with words I don't understand and music that haunts....

[Emerystreet]

@BlueEyedMermaid52 You know something, I wish I had said all that you have. I liked the comparison with Matt and I am not about to change my view of Matt's version but heavens this version is as beautiful. I am an Indian, live in Calcutta and listen a lot to Tagore songs. Although I do not speak Bengali too cleverly and understand it even less...Tagore had this amazing way to 'evoke emotion' with words I don't understand and music that haunts.... thanks poster.

[juan58102]

@BlueEyedMermaid52 You are right!!

[CaptVitto]

@BlueEyedMermaid52

Gee...... Sinatra's version must have slipped by you.!

BTW..... an octave consists of 8 notes....That's 8 full steps on the register.....

[tomk773]

@CaptVitto

yeah, Sinatra & his Mafia hoodlums -how sad. Darin is way better than that piece of *****

[rockabillycatz]

as you say it's not about the singing it's what is put in to the voice and sounds and sadnes of the song

[keefy7156]

Matt Munroe sings a vastly superior version to this, although this one has its merits too.

[SirCliff62]

I know this song from Cliff Richard - much better!!

[dsf1019]

With due respect to all...no one comes close to Bobby Darin and accompaniment on this song!!!

[dagodino]

Nice rendition from the great B.D.

My vote goes to Sinatra for the best

version;his range,clearity,vocal strength,

phrasing,etc. left most singers awestruck..

[JoanOfArc14]

God what a beautiful song. Sung by a beautiful man. There will never be another like him.

[jonty9999]

well said!!

[PatriciaSpillman]

You bet ya! He's is being remembered this year this weekend with a much deserved Lifetime Acheivenent Award 36 years after his death. His son Dodd is receiving the award. It will be presented at the Staples Center this Saturday, January 30, 2010 and will be shown on Sunday night, January 31, 2010 on channel 2.

I can't wait and I will have my kleenex ready. See you in heaven Bobby and God bless your family.

[xavier1850]

God, that's beautiful.

[jonty9999]

WELL SAID !!

[RINGOFE]

and Monro of course...Monro is one of the experts in scating

[RINGOFE]

guys relax!! both performers were great..let's all of us stop to take sides of who is better or not..it's simple ..both of them were excellent performers.

I also want to say that this video is one of the best i saw ..nice...

[jonty9999]

what a great summary...well said !!

[Stunatra]

get a life loser

[alpha3327]

adyysia (below) said it perfectly. But I must add that comparing Bobby Darin to Monro or Sinatra is not really meaningful to this fan. Rather than compare I suggest simply enjoying each of them. The passion they elicit in each of us is both priceless and incomparable. And that is enough.

[adyysia]

Thanks, alpha3327. And I totally agree with your comment.

[calvinoespiranto]

Very good effort from a very good singer, but when you hear Matt.........game over!

[flaminhoon]

I agree Matt Monro

[CinziaFrancesca]

this is so beautiful; thank you.

[jonty9999]

well said !!

[bellpawt]

Thank you for this.I am so grateful to hear this .More beauty from Bobby

[MOGGS1942]

Hearing this version of this fantastic song just reminds me what a great singer Bobby Darin was.

I am also massive fan of Frank Sinatra and Matt Monro,so I'm in a win win situation here.They all bring something of themselves in their respective versions,and I have a tough time picking the best.The truth is they are all "the best"

renditions of this song.But Cliff Richard?

Spare me,please,he cannot sing,and to

mention him on this page is too ludricous for words.

[cremisi50]

Bellissima ...!

[adyysia]

Exquisite. Heart-rendingly sad and oh so beautiful.

[dalmuirus61]

listen to cliff richard singing this

[Velvet4U]

or Matt Monroe

[hunchat]

Thank you for the memories of a wonderful performer and the memory of a lost love 38 years ago!

[dsf1019]

So Smooth !!!

[megan1668]

@ Dodo251

you should have been in the audience when Elvis did this song.... still get goosebumps just thinking about it. First he only sang/spoke it on stage in vegas with Sherill Nielsen who did an incredible job.

He then recorded it, I have the"45"

[josparkes]

This and Franks are excellent

but I still think Matts version

Is the best

[Velvet4U]

You mean Matt Monroe?

[josparkes]

Absolutely yes !

[Velvet4U]

Oh Yes, Matt I feel is the greatest singer, with the most beautiful tone. And he chose the best songs to sing.

I wish I had found his music much earlier in my life. Then I could have shared his music with my mom , who is resting peacfully.

[josparkes]

Yes he did, My husband's Uncle Bob, used to sing with Matt monro when they were in Hong Kong together years ago, he knew Matt Monro very well. Matt Monro was known as Terry Pearce then.

Wonderful voice !

[Velvet4U]

That is amazing!! I would love to hear stories about Matt Monroe. He is just so much better than Frank Sinatra. Though I do like Perry Como, who had a nice silky voice. Your husband's uncle must have also had a great voice, for them to sing together. At what age did Matt Monroe die, and where did he live most of his life.

There isn't a lot of film of him, is there?

[josparkes]

Thanks, Uncle Bob still sings sometimes at Karaoke etc, and has won a few times.

I think Matt was about 50 something, when he died of Liver cancer I believe, and he drove London buses before he became famous.Try to go on a website re Matt Monro and get some info too

[PIETRO1945]

Wonderfull voice, Sinatra must've been jealous.

[josparkes]

Yes , may have been !

[dwtslvr]

Everyone enjoys who they like to enjoy. Bobby is my pick. Thanks

[davidshep45]

I agree. Frank Sinatra's voice was a little to controlled for my taste. Bobby Darin had a sweet playfulness in his voice that totally relaxes me. Franks voice was a bit to rigid and structured . Bobby had a voice that could fit many genres.

[dwtslvr]

Thanks for the comment. I thought I was the only one who didn't care for Frank Sinatra's voice or singing. He just didn't come across as natural. It appeared to me that he was trying too hard to entertain. I remember when I was younger , and Frank was younger, I watched him in musicals. That's when he sounded better, but still not like Bobby.

[dsf1019]

The voice, orchestration, backup vocals make this version Tops. Noble efforts by all others, but not close!

[airrocker001]

bobby sang this song at the end of his life knowing he wasn't going to live much longer. He was a great man who did the most of his life even knowing he wans't going to live for a long time. Love ya Bobby!

[toadlet1]

This is one of my favorite songs.

[pinups40]

I love Bobby Darin!

[ronnie4g]

Look at everyone in this thread! I don't think Bobby would've wanted us to be arguing over this song. He wants us to get the message in the song??? Remember this guy's body was dying when he was singing this song! So who knows what his full potential in this song could've been...

[kdthorpey]

i love bobby ,but i love ELVIS doing this song best he will always be number one, and yes the good do always die young ,god bless both graet singers ...

[Dodo251]

You mean Sherill Nielsen, Elvis never did this song.

[kdthorpey]

yes ELVIS did

[Dodo251]

No, he just recited the song while Sherill Nielsen did all the singing. Elvis never actually sang this song.

[ceb2633]

I agree. And I am probably the only person on earth who did not particularly care for Elvis' singing. Only one song I would listen to, and that was "Loving Arms", which he owns.

[dwtslvr]

thank you verditravtore for posting. I'm listening and Michaelbos is right. Bobby does this so much better than Frank. So much that while listening to this I am getting teary eyed. It is such a beautiful p[erformance.

[lumbiaknight87]

i like all the versions of this song..and matt monroe in my opinion is among the top three...and i think this song was written for him..he was the first to record this classic..

[Michaelbos]

Oh Man, I thought no one could do this song right other then Sinatra. But Bobby did it.

[oohyllab]

Bobby veered into other genres of music constantly reinventing himself. In my humble opinion he excelled doing the Sinatra crooner type and swing jazz more than anything he ever did. Frank was the voice though.

[hugohathaway]

beautifulness. thanks for the great post.

[sigrun243]

Cliff Richard comes very close with this song.

I think he is the best.

[dsf1019]

Nobody comes close to Mr. Darin on this song. NOBODY!!!!

[braidwoodbill]

bobby darin - tops for me

after seeingbeyond the sea, this guy was up there

[geranioj]

No way, I love B Darin, but Sinatra' is the best.

[larkinbear]

Bobby was so talented, his version of this song sounds so sincere.

[MarkinDC]

There are many versions of this song, something about Bobby's version seems to tug at the heartstrings more, a little sadder and more sincere.

[braidwoodbill]

i'm with you all the way

[daveyhop]

I like frank sinatra,matt monro,michael buble etc. but I have to say bobby's version of this song in my opinion is by far the best

[anddet07]

I have to agree, Bobby is one of the all time greats, if not THE all time great in my mind

[bdfan50]

Thank you I so totally agree with you, in my opinion, to me for my listening pleasure Bobby surpassed Frank with Splish Splash. Bobby was such a great talent with a unsurpassed presence and such class he was a classy, sexy fellow without even trying...

[bdfan50]

I'm sorry but I think Bobby Darin's voice is anything but ordinary, he was no ordinary man and no ordinary talent. If you people like Frank so much why are you here? get on a Sinatra channel I like this song and I happen to prefer Bobby to Frank, anytime, anywhere on any song and I think lots of people agree with me. thanks for posting the song, I enjoy it on a regular basis.

[dumdogdum]

I agree... Bobby would have surpassed Frank Sinatra if he had lived longer. His voice/talent/presence was amazing

[1navyfly]

The best always die young, or too soon.

[RockLives4u]

Bobby Darin strugles..Tony B, Frank S, do not struggle..Bobby was a good singer and better performer..They were Great/Great..

[keetonplace]

Just listened to Sinatra and Buble' and Bobby is most definitely the best of those on this song, but Elvis is the one with the heart and soul. As always.

Miss you Bobby!

[delious19]

snatra is the main man...my grandchild claudia .loves woden hearrt

[cosmocarboni]

bony is nothıng whn u compare him with SINATRA the chairman...Bobbys voice is so ordinary..

[MerrittStDiner]

Today, "Mack The Knife" is Bobby Darin's signature song, and - as a result - many of his other songs which sound nothing like that tend to be forgotten, or they are not associated with Bobby when they are played. Few people hearing this performance here on the radio would realize that this is Bobby Darin. The same is true with Bobby's country-flavoured tunes like "You're The Reason I'm Living" and "18 Yellow Roses."

[mimiratcliffe]

So very beautiful. Thanks so much.

[gt30002]

BOBBY=BEST ever!

[sylkev]

this is beautiful!

[dsf1019]

Many wonderful versions done by some enormous talents, but this is the best!

[RatPackLoverMe]

This is a great version, but Sinatra's tops it!

[mb7668]

I give Matt Monro the nod over Sinatra, but I like them all. It's just a great song. I think Bobby should be singing this in a lower key.

[Nazzo6]

Just beautiful - Bobby Darin was in his own league. Giant talent.

[2egypt]

Even tho I'm an Elvis fan, I think bobby Darin does an excellent job in singing this song. Love it.