Almost 28 years since my dear father passed away but it feels like yesterday! This was one of his favourites. Bless you dad. So good to see all this great musicis still appreciated by many. Thanks for the memories.
Andy Williams is a wonderfully talented individual. This is a most perfect song. The lyrics are so poignant. Everyone can relate to this song because we all have felt similarly at various times in our lives. This is a song that will endure because it speks to the "human condition" and generation after generation has the same experience - LIFE. This songs expresses one particular element of life very accurately. Thank you for a great post.
@GJNCA Yes, I know, I have it on a CD. I eventually found the Elvis one and added it to this playlist. The playlist is specifically for songs done by other artists, so I have not put Sedaka's own version on it.
What a great song. I've come back to this clip a half dozen times in the past couple days, finally sparked to order the Collectables CD with the Solitaire and Alone Again (Naturally) LPs on one disk. I think Andy does the definitive version, with The Carpenters a close second, and Elvis way in the dust. I wish Sinatra had tackled this one, a song in the vein of Cycles or his A Man Alone LP. I especially enjoyed the slideshow of 45 sleeves and LP jackets, some real rarities in there. Thanks.
Neil Sedaka wrote this song, and his recording probably preceded this, but nobody associates him with this song, as the Andy Williams version is so good. Richard Perry produced this song and album. Note the string coda, so similar to Perry's production of Harry Nilsson's "Without You," itself a cover of a Badfinger original that few associate with that band. Perry also produced Ringo Starr's #1 album "Ringo" about the same time. I also like the Carpenters' version of "Solitaire."
Interesting how both Williams' "Solitaire" and Ringo's "Ringo" shared many of Perry's session players such as Klaus Voorman, Nicky Hopkins, Vini Poncia, and percussionists Derek and Lon Van Eaton, giving both albums a similar feel. The idea was for the "Solitaire" single to be a blockbuster for Williams on the order of "Without You" for Nilsson and "You're So Vain" for Carly Simon, but, alas, that wasn't mean to be, at least not here in the U.S. Phenomenal record, though!
When I saw this one show up in my Subscriptions box, I wondered if it was the same song called "Solitaire" that was written by Neil Sedaka and also done by the Carpenters. And it does turn out to be the same one. It's going on my Playlist of songs written by Neil Sedaka but not sung by him (where I already have the version by the Carpenters). I'll have to look for Elvis' version, too.
I found Elvis' version and added it to that playlist, too. The playlist is actually called "Songs (Co)-Written by Neil Sedaka but Done by Other Artists". This doesn't preclude a version by Neil S. also existing. I have another list for Neil Diamond called "Songs Written but not Sung by Neil Diamond", which was originally intended for songs like "Sunday and Me" that he wrote but has never recorded. However, I have added some versions by others of obscure songs Neil D. has done.
Almost 28 years since my dear father passed away but it feels like yesterday! This was one of his favourites. Bless you dad. So good to see all this great musicis still appreciated by many. Thanks for the memories.
tom19560000000000000 4 months ago
Andy Williams is a wonderfully talented individual. This is a most perfect song. The lyrics are so poignant. Everyone can relate to this song because we all have felt similarly at various times in our lives. This is a song that will endure because it speks to the "human condition" and generation after generation has the same experience - LIFE. This songs expresses one particular element of life very accurately. Thank you for a great post.
0917gva 5 months ago
Andy Williams always had talent, this song shows it in spades!!!
greetpete 5 months ago
Kenangan diwaktu kecil tahun 1975, my favourite song dad too... I love u dad, i hope u happy in heaven
udinpetot063 6 months ago
this was a big favourite of my Dad .the song takes me back to being a little boy again.Miss you Dad,can't believe its been 6 years.
jax173 6 months ago
Thanks for the video. That has got to be one of the sadest songs I've ever heard.
roadrunner1ification 7 months ago
@GJNCA Yes, I know, I have it on a CD. I eventually found the Elvis one and added it to this playlist. The playlist is specifically for songs done by other artists, so I have not put Sedaka's own version on it.
rslitman 9 months ago
I've attempted to sing this brilliant song on my channel, as I think Andy Williams is fantastic. Cheers, Andy Kelly. :-)
AndrewKelly1970 9 months ago
This is the best version by a mile. The Carpenters do it too slow.
mayakane 10 months ago
what a wonderfull song .reminds me my youth
dumonji 1 year ago 6
Wonderful.. Happy times!
Derwentcub 1 year ago
Just loved this song when it was in the UK charts all those years ago - great to hear it again. Well done
loveclose 1 year ago 3
brilliant used to watch this when i was a kid with mum n dad.memories.
OPALMIST1 1 year ago
è um classico!!!!!!!!!!!!!
julio19601 1 year ago
I loved this as a child - tis good to be reminded of what a great singer he is.
biglilly150 1 year ago
Karen Carpenter set the standard that has never been equaled with this song.
Coowallsky 1 year ago
beautiful, guna end it all
sxitezza 1 year ago
nice song always got time for andy williams
haydocker1 1 year ago
Still Magnificent after all the years.
Thank you for posting.
curlingnf 2 years ago 2
What a great song. I've come back to this clip a half dozen times in the past couple days, finally sparked to order the Collectables CD with the Solitaire and Alone Again (Naturally) LPs on one disk. I think Andy does the definitive version, with The Carpenters a close second, and Elvis way in the dust. I wish Sinatra had tackled this one, a song in the vein of Cycles or his A Man Alone LP. I especially enjoyed the slideshow of 45 sleeves and LP jackets, some real rarities in there. Thanks.
ryecroft57 2 years ago
Neil Sedaka wrote this song, and his recording probably preceded this, but nobody associates him with this song, as the Andy Williams version is so good. Richard Perry produced this song and album. Note the string coda, so similar to Perry's production of Harry Nilsson's "Without You," itself a cover of a Badfinger original that few associate with that band. Perry also produced Ringo Starr's #1 album "Ringo" about the same time. I also like the Carpenters' version of "Solitaire."
javernot 2 years ago
Interesting how both Williams' "Solitaire" and Ringo's "Ringo" shared many of Perry's session players such as Klaus Voorman, Nicky Hopkins, Vini Poncia, and percussionists Derek and Lon Van Eaton, giving both albums a similar feel. The idea was for the "Solitaire" single to be a blockbuster for Williams on the order of "Without You" for Nilsson and "You're So Vain" for Carly Simon, but, alas, that wasn't mean to be, at least not here in the U.S. Phenomenal record, though!
ben2715 2 years ago
how is it a cover, he sang the original! can't believe he's still alive, this song is so amazing!!!
thelucy53 2 years ago 2
Neil Sedaka was the original
andresdalessandro 2 years ago
brilliant cover!
love to see this version,with andys lyrics!
nellybhoy 2 years ago
A very lovely version.
nancyfloressantos 2 years ago
Surely the best version of this beautiful song.
Thank you for sharing. Oh how it brings back memories.
mikeyousofine 2 years ago 8
When I saw this one show up in my Subscriptions box, I wondered if it was the same song called "Solitaire" that was written by Neil Sedaka and also done by the Carpenters. And it does turn out to be the same one. It's going on my Playlist of songs written by Neil Sedaka but not sung by him (where I already have the version by the Carpenters). I'll have to look for Elvis' version, too.
rslitman 2 years ago
Thanks - have a Merry Christmas !
45rpmSINGLES 2 years ago
I found Elvis' version and added it to that playlist, too. The playlist is actually called "Songs (Co)-Written by Neil Sedaka but Done by Other Artists". This doesn't preclude a version by Neil S. also existing. I have another list for Neil Diamond called "Songs Written but not Sung by Neil Diamond", which was originally intended for songs like "Sunday and Me" that he wrote but has never recorded. However, I have added some versions by others of obscure songs Neil D. has done.
rslitman 2 years ago
This is the best version of Solitaire for me - easily!
YCSMusic 2 years ago 9
I do like Elvis` as well !
45rpmSINGLES 2 years ago
I'd forgotten about Elvis' version Mike - good one yes!
YCSMusic 2 years ago
@YCSMusic this was, as far as I was concerned, THE version, until I heard Clay Aiken's. Now there are 2 Best Versions.
VABkWrm 1 year ago
@VABkWrm never heard of him .
leonaofficial 1 year ago
@YCSMusic Second to Carpenters' version.
Coowallsky 1 year ago