If there were ever a perfect 3 minute recording, this would be it. Everything about it is superb. The singing, the musicianship, the arrangement, the lyrics, and of course the music itself, but then look at the credits! Gets better everytime I hear it.
I agree completely with MOGGS1942. Jo's simple but absolutely impeccable style of singing lasts the test of time, and I never tire of listening to her. Thanks for posting this gem.
addition:both Jo Stafford ánd Anne Shelton made several records with full orchestra with(semi)classical songs and ballads/folksongs in almost classical style(Jo with Scottish and Anne with Irish). Anne Shelton made a version of Greensleeves with an enormous classical orchestra resulting in appreciation by classical singers.She approached light music in an almost classical way, just the way Jo Stafford did that. Both ladies were(still are!) the absolute top.Anne(1924)died already in 1993
A real professional with a wonderful voice...one of the best female vocalists for sure. Like Frank, you do not hear her breathing...maybe she too learned a bit about that from Tommy Dorsey. My god, there was some talent there together-- Frank for 2+ years, Tommy D., other marvelous artists, and Jo for the female lead.
@tearmann You're so right. Both Vera and Jo are my favorite singers. There is always something in the way they sing that makes me fly back in time, a nostalgic sadness like a claw squeezing my throat, there is always that bitter sweet pain in my heart that bleeds of longing for a time that once was mine...
@CMLLIS sorry in many ways that i wasn't around in that era - but, recordings are forever. thank god that i can "live" that era today and admiringly enjoy the spirit of those who keep hope alive through difficult times. thanks for your reply my friend.
@tearmann,good day!Fully agreed with your admiration for Jo's voice,but calling her the American Vera Lynn?NO! I do appreciate Vera Lynn,but vocally speaking Jo was far ahead!There's only 1 British Sister-In-Art in non-classical music that can be compared with Jo and that is ANNE SHELTON,who was always 2nd behind Vera Lynn,but insiders knew all the time that Anne was(in her prime that is)the absolute nr 1.Many classical singers admired Anne for her mezzolike dark voice,timing and breathcontrol
@jcriedijk cheers! thanks for your comment. guess it's not right to compare such great talent; jo, anne, vera and others all shared their great voices and emotion during difficult times. hats off to all of those who help us enjoy, remember and overcome our challenges.
To give a little prospective of why this was the number one song for that year. In 1944 when this was released, WWII was not won, and there was still a chance that it could be lost. The soldiers who were returning where mostly the ones with the million dollar wounds from Africa, Sicily and the Pacific battle fronts. The line The dream I dreamed was not denied me sums up the feeling of those waiting for there loved ones who were serving.
Happy Birthday Jerome Kern! Born January 27 "a long time ago" in 1885.
MGSRaiden1232 1 month ago
"Chills run up and down my spine" every time I listen to the incomparable Jo Stafford sing.
omegapoint0 1 month ago
If there were ever a perfect 3 minute recording, this would be it. Everything about it is superb. The singing, the musicianship, the arrangement, the lyrics, and of course the music itself, but then look at the credits! Gets better everytime I hear it.
trolleymovie1 2 months ago
@trolleymovie1 God bless Jerome Kern and my lovely Jo Stafford . ( a very, very old and romantic man from Brazil )
Arqueiroify 2 months ago 2
I agree completely with MOGGS1942. Jo's simple but absolutely impeccable style of singing lasts the test of time, and I never tire of listening to her. Thanks for posting this gem.
silverdub25 3 months ago
What a wonderful rendition of a terrific song. Ms. Stafford was a real class act.
MOGGS1942 3 months ago
addition:both Jo Stafford ánd Anne Shelton made several records with full orchestra with(semi)classical songs and ballads/folksongs in almost classical style(Jo with Scottish and Anne with Irish). Anne Shelton made a version of Greensleeves with an enormous classical orchestra resulting in appreciation by classical singers.She approached light music in an almost classical way, just the way Jo Stafford did that. Both ladies were(still are!) the absolute top.Anne(1924)died already in 1993
jcriedijk 4 months ago
She did a lot for the boys in World War II. Thanks for this post. This shows the togetherness of the people during the war.
necktieguy1 5 months ago
A real professional with a wonderful voice...one of the best female vocalists for sure. Like Frank, you do not hear her breathing...maybe she too learned a bit about that from Tommy Dorsey. My god, there was some talent there together-- Frank for 2+ years, Tommy D., other marvelous artists, and Jo for the female lead.
raidencraig 5 months ago
A lovely rendition of an old favourite! Thank you ronni1991 for the posting.
CanadaPisces 6 months ago
simply beautiful
19450william 6 months ago
listen them all - Ms. Stafford's is simple, clean and heartfelt.
LaVoix7 7 months ago
listen them all - Ms. Stafford's is simple, clean and heartfelt.
LaVoix7 7 months ago
One of my favorite singers from the era :-)
cattoy42 1 year ago
"Just one look and then I knew, that all I longed for long ago was you"
Thank you, Jo Stafford. You sang it the best.
TheSonglvr 1 year ago
@TheSonglvr it is a wonderful lyric, sung with such passion.
tearmann 9 months ago
what a wondeful song - jo stafford's voice was so pure! the american vera lynn.
tearmann 1 year ago 9
@tearmann You're so right. Both Vera and Jo are my favorite singers. There is always something in the way they sing that makes me fly back in time, a nostalgic sadness like a claw squeezing my throat, there is always that bitter sweet pain in my heart that bleeds of longing for a time that once was mine...
CMLLIS 9 months ago
@CMLLIS sorry in many ways that i wasn't around in that era - but, recordings are forever. thank god that i can "live" that era today and admiringly enjoy the spirit of those who keep hope alive through difficult times. thanks for your reply my friend.
tearmann 9 months ago
@tearmann I thank you tearmann. Best regards my friend.
CMLLIS 9 months ago
@tearmann,good day!Fully agreed with your admiration for Jo's voice,but calling her the American Vera Lynn?NO! I do appreciate Vera Lynn,but vocally speaking Jo was far ahead!There's only 1 British Sister-In-Art in non-classical music that can be compared with Jo and that is ANNE SHELTON,who was always 2nd behind Vera Lynn,but insiders knew all the time that Anne was(in her prime that is)the absolute nr 1.Many classical singers admired Anne for her mezzolike dark voice,timing and breathcontrol
jcriedijk 4 months ago
@jcriedijk cheers! thanks for your comment. guess it's not right to compare such great talent; jo, anne, vera and others all shared their great voices and emotion during difficult times. hats off to all of those who help us enjoy, remember and overcome our challenges.
tearmann 1 week ago
impeccable, indeed. her version of "haunted heart" haunts my heart .
bogohoboho 1 year ago
You could play this song today when soldiers return from combat and it would still be a tear jerker.
Tonopah2 2 years ago
To give a little prospective of why this was the number one song for that year. In 1944 when this was released, WWII was not won, and there was still a chance that it could be lost. The soldiers who were returning where mostly the ones with the million dollar wounds from Africa, Sicily and the Pacific battle fronts. The line The dream I dreamed was not denied me sums up the feeling of those waiting for there loved ones who were serving.
Tonopah2 2 years ago 11
@Tonopah2 My source says it peaked at #6, not higher!
ENACODNOM 5 months ago
@Tonopah2 I ment 2 like this, not dislike. I agree with u completely.
yourmomlovesmemore1 5 months ago
Thanks for posting this incredibly beautiful song rendered impeccably by Jo Stafford!
petitkoalagris 2 years ago 2