Tony Orlando - Halfway To Paradise

[rufus141]

Oh dear, at least Billy sang this wonderful song. First and last time I'll listen to this version I'm afraid. He has no range or emotion in his voice.

[PrettiestDogEver]

This is awful. Billy Fury sings this so much better.

[calwaite]

@PrettiestDogEver You must be deaf! Billy Fury's country twang ruins this soulful song, completely ruins it. Although I do think Tony has another verision, sung in a deeper register, that is better than this.

[PrettiestDogEver]

@calwaite No, I'm not deaf, which why I can hear Orlando's creepy vowel-twisting. He sounds like he's chewing the vinyl. There is no sincerity in his voice. Billy's voice is sincere and unforced. He does not start the song by shouting! As for "twang", it's not country; Billy was a Scouser and the accent comes through sometimes.

[jmen4ever]

The best cover of them all, some come close, but Orlando rules!

[mkl62]

The first hit for Tony Orlando. Tony Orlando and Dawn was my very first concert. It was March 1976 at the Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, SC. The show was delayed because Joyce had suffered an ankle injury. She was toted out and put on a stool, but it was still a good show.

[hottwheels83]

Am I the only one that noticed that on the record it was written as 'J. Goffin' and not with a 'G' which I'm nearly certain is how it was spelled yeah sorry I'm nitpicky about things like that. Anyways good song.

[bruceseaton]

its a great version but for me Billy Fury took it to another level,and certainly in Britain it became instantly recognisible as Billy Fury's hit.

[SherryAnn68]

Another sweet love song by the great Tony Orlando. What a great era for music that was. I'm glad I was a kid when this great music was around..

[PutOnASweater]

Saw Tony t 5 days ago at a 'Tribute To Connie Francis'. What a great guy...met him through a mutual friend. Not only a great performer, but such a warm and friendly person.

[dowopper51]

@PutOnASweater He always struck me of being a great guy, I just never had the chance to meet. Amazing I didn't hear anything on the news about a tribute to Connie, one of the best female vocalist that ever walked the planet and Weiner is getting all the attention, go figure?

Anyway, thanks for the info!

[PutOnASweater]

@dowopper51 This was a Friar's Club event at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan. Others on the show besides Tony ( he was the MC): Comedian Pat Cooper, Neil Sedaka and Jay Black ( of Jay and The Americans), and of course Connie Francis. Jerry Balvat was co-master of ceremonies....

[5151emily]

Oh you have to listen to Billy Fury's version!! Billy was a rock'n'roll sensation in England many years ago. So his version of this song was our hit version there. Not knocking Tony Orlando but you have to hear Billy Fury who sadly passed away at 42 sufferering from heart problems. Really missed.

[sleepytimegalz]

Wow!! I was here 6 mos ago. This was the 1st time I heard Tony sing this... I loved it then and still do....and Tony isn't to shabby either...even @ his age right now. LOL oh oh, slap Phyllis' hand, she is a very naughty girl. LOL Thx 4 posting Richard! phyllis

[tlaniganschmidt]

Yup,Frankie,this ones for you.Always a friend & never a Lover,but this Song says it all.Yes,I Loved,I longed 4 you over n over again.This was the2nd 45 i bought,as my teen-age Heart played this for you & i never told you how i felt.All we said was that "its a really-good-record" But NOW & 4-Ever Frankie,I say it for the entire World to see,That this song makes something-happen,that still happens whenever i hear it."Cause bein close to you is almost Heaven"..Half-way to Paradise"

[perfectgames8]

oNE OF HIS FINEST SONGS pre Dawn 1961

what a great performer Me and My Girlfriend saw him in 1981 at the Riviera in Las Vegas for some reason he/ hey picked me from the audience to got on stage I was amazed at him and his Wonderful Attitude A great performer He is

[dowopper51]

@perfectgames8 Yes, I heard he was a perfect gentilmen. Did you sing with him?

[VinDcator]

What else form the great team of King and Goffin? I wish I could have been between them!

[elamite66]

I hear Tony Orlando recorded "Our favorite melodies" but I can't find it anywhere Did he record it? anybody out there know? Thanks for posting the above Tony's best record by far in my book

[dowopper51]

@elamite66 I don't believe that he ever recorded it, although I could be mistaken. The only two I know of that recorded it was Gary Criss & Craig Douglas. My books don't list Tony or Dawn of ever recording it. It's also possible he may have done it on his show, but I don't remember it.

BTW your very welcome!

[dukefishers]

In 1961 I had a big crush on " Beverly." She would not give me much more than the time of day. Everytime I heard this song back then it made me sick. 50 years later, I still think of her when I hear this song !

[emwolbemwolb]

great song..and thats the Cookies backing TO up.......thanks for sharing!

[LadODell]

Boy this brings back great memories. That was a special time for anyone that was a teenager. The music was magicial and it will live forever. Thanks for sharing.

[09drs]

The best!

[sleepytimegalz]

Back here again my friend, but this time I'm borrowing him to put as my lead on my channel...ha ha gotta love this guy!!! What a babe!!! Naughty me huh/ LOL

[sleepytimegalz]

The best version on You Tube!! I love Tony Orlando, yesss I do. smile! Thx 4 posting. Phyllis

[dowopper51]

@sleepytimegalz I agree, no argument on my behalf Phyllis! Such a nice classy voice.

[sleepytimegalz]

@dowopper51 oops!! I think that I replied in the wrong box..sorry. Getting on my laptop BC (before coffee) LOL is not cool!! smile!!....

[closedcircle1]

Tony Orlando recorded this in 1961 before Billy Fury.

[TheARosemary]

Tony has a touch of nasal quality...the voice-deeepish, yet sensual, 'nuff said.

[paulmccartney7ElvisP]

Great singer! Tbh i like Billy Fury's version better(he is one of my favourite singers billy fury) :) x

[motowngirl65]

Don't know about any other version and frankly. I'm not interested. THIS is the version that made the pop charts in the 60's. THIS is the ONLY version I'm familiar with. Why spoil a good thing with copy cats.

[dowopper51]

@motowngirl65 My favorite also, it's pure class all the way.

[calwaite]

@motowngirl65 Hey motown, check out the version posted by Cousin Susie on YT, seems to be slighty different because his voice sounds a half octave lower, but I can't tell for sure. Maybe I'm losing my mind!

[rufus141]

@motowngirl65 Shame you have no room in you to listen to other versions. You might be surprised, you might not. Did it make the charts in the 60's? I only thought Billy charted it in the 60's, but If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. By being so close minded, you may miss something good. My mum loved Tie a Yellow Ribbon. So I'm open to other versins. You can't say one is best if you've only heard one.

[Pacer8]

Bless You and halfway to paradise are my 2 favorite Tony songs-thanks for the videos!

[sleepytimegalz]

whoa whoa whoa!!!!!! Tony vavoom!!!!

[thegersrpish]

wow this guy was quite HOT X

[coyotesong]

dowopper , do you know who the backup singers are? thanks for this post. I had this 45 at one time..

[MrMonroman]

so did billy fury copy bobby vinton? ithought his was original. But i do think billy's is better

[mb7668]

@MrMonroman This is the original. Fury copied the arrangement and released it in UK before Tony's version.

[kjdoowop]

Ahhhhhhh, I can't leave this one alone. ! I still have 45 with the picture sleeve.

Thanks DW

[angelofbebop]

Aaahhhh...I love the EARLY Tony Orlando! This is fabulous - such a dreamy song! Thanks Richard!

[kjboogie]

ahhhhh nothing like pre Dawn Tony. this one is the gold standard !!!

Thanks DW,

Ken

[kjboogie]

ahhhhhh, Love pre dawn Tony !!!!

Thanks DW

[dazza115406]

Its not a bad version but Billy Fury's version is so much better!!!

[arizonaghost1]

this is the best version....i like vinton but not when he covers other artists songs.

[dowopper51]

I hear ya & I agree! I always liked early Vinton until he got into that poka scene if you know what I mean. My Little Christie & I Love You The Way You Are, were knockouts! To Know You Is To Love You, wasn't a good cover at all. However, Tony did some GREAT covers, Bless You, Dream Lover, Some Kind Of Wonderful were all fantastic!

[psychodamned]

@arizonaghost1 Sorry but Try Billy Fury's version. Thats the Best : )

[dowopper51]

@psychodamned I have to disagree with you on this. Don't misunderstand, Billy does a great job with it, but Tony's vocals are real classy and plus with the girls in the background "sha na na nup" well it's a chiller, just my opinion my friend.

[doowopforever7]

THANKS FOR TAKING ME BACK.

[dowopper51]

My pleasure, enjoy!

[laurenjaynecoffeeice]

Sounding so sweet to my ears.

Many thanks.

They don't make them like they used to!!!

[dowopper51]

Your very welcome, enjoy!

[kjboogie]

ahhhhhh, Yes !!!!!!! Just great.

ken

[dowopper51]

AHH yes, THANK YOU! Hey Ken, I don't know if your a Del Shannon fan, if you are, I'm posting a ton of OFF-THE-WALL Del Shannon's tonight. Tony & Del, AHH, two of the best!

[geeneyes61]

dowopper51 Thank you so very much i just loved that song i knew that song by heart but didnt know who sing it i was going nuts no one in CA. that i talk to could help me i moved back to Virginia in 1995 and in 1998 i bought me a CD player and then i found that song on a CD by Bobby Vinton my 32 year old son wanted to sing to me over the computer he told me to pick a song i type in Half away to paradise he ask me who sing it i said Bobby Vinton he found it on youtube and sang it to me on the comp

[dowopper51]

Your very welcome my good friend, just keep on keeping the music alive!

[geeneyes61]

who was the first one to sing this song in Norfolk Virginia i was young when i first heard this song i lived in Virginia from 1956 untill Feb1962 than i moved to CA. to live with my dad this song played over and over in my head i never heard that song again untill i was 48 and i bought a CD that had that song on it the guy at the store said that BOBBY VINTON sang it so i bought it. he cant be the right singer for i was in CA AND then in Nantucket MA. IN 1963

[dowopper51]

Tony Olando was the first. The song was written by Carole King & Jerry Goffin in 1961 and Tony released it on EPIC the same year, this was Tony's first record. Bobby Vinton released his version in 1968. This has to be the version that you first heard..

[kjboogie]

ahhhhhh,yes, takes me back !!!!!!

thanks again,

kj

[dowopper51]

Very welcome my friend, enjoy!

[pappy15445]

i loved his voice before and during and post dawn

[dowopper51]

YES, I agree!

[Diamondrog]

No one I've ever told believed me when I said Tony Orlando had a song call Halfway to Paradise....they never heard of it. I just got a new computer and decided to go on a hunt.. When I heard this song it brought me instantly back to that young boy in an orphanage when I first heard this song. With tears in my eyes....thank you so much for having this sone available

[dowopper51]

Well thank you very much & your very welcome my friend!

[mb7668]

Anyone my age would know, but a lot of people only remember Tony from the Dawn years, and then there are some too young to even remember that period.

[dowopper51]

I've been seeing Tony now & then on TV, but haven't heard him sing in a loooong time. I liked his style before Dawn, guy was GREAT!

[kjboogie]

This and Bless You were the BEST !!!

Ya gotta love these two. ahhhhh

This IS the sound

[dowopper51]

I'm not going to argue with you there, I agree!!!!!!

[mb7668]

Tony's first hit, after doing many demos for songs that went to others. Beautiful voice, perfect pitch Tony.

[josephsylvia]

Love this song. Thanks for the posting-Joyce

[dowopper51]

Your very welcome!

[barrygioportmorien1]

Teriffic song by Tony.

[dowopper51]

Again, he was fantastic!