Gisele MacKenzie: If I Give My Heart to You-Your Hit Parade

[blearyeyed09]

There was a version of this beautiful song done in the fifties by one of the "crooner" quartets.....with this exquisite perfectly tuned four part harmony with those thrilling highs and velvet blend...backed by a soft dance-band....and recorded on "78" RPM....and I've been looking for so long to rediscover this one version....any suggestions are welcome, but only if you've heard it!

[waynebrasler]

Interestingly, the writers of "If I Give My Heart To You" wrote a followup especially for Joni James, "My Believing Heart." It was issued as the followup to her million seller "You Are My Love" and did very well but, as usual with Joni, both sides of the single made the charts so the fact the single was a top 10 national best-seller was hidden because each side of a record was charted individually (how it was know which side a customer was buying in the record stores was a mystery).

[MsLoudbrod]

Ive never seen this of my dear Mom

Thanks for posting so I could see! I cant wait for her brand new great granddaughter Mackenzie Marie , when she is old enough to check it out.

sincerely, gigi worth mackenzie

[hammerogod]

I was only 8 yrs old in '55 but i swear I remember this, I mean THIS particular show. YHP was big in the 50's. My older sisters never missed it and I got to stay up late (8:00 pm) so I could see it on whatever night it came on. Gisele, Russell, Dorothy and Snooky were good singers but even at the young age of 8 yrs I was aware that they were covering songs that were made popular by other singers. As good as they were it just wasen't the same.

[fantubelicious]

I've heard Doris Day & Dorothy Collins sing this song but I love Gisele MacKenzie's version best of all. What a gorgeous and expressive voice. She acts with her voice. But not only that she acts, dances, plays the violin & piano, composes, and is very funny.

Thanks for sharing this post.

[g1h2nedlaw]

Lovely memories. Thanks.

Any chance of posting "Till I Waltz Again with You" please? I have it on an old 78 rpm, but a piece at the beginning is missing! Flip side is Seven Lonely days.

[kaleman7]

I always wondered who that dancer was who held the fame box. He was in so many Hit Parade videos.

[waynebrasler]

Everyone and his brother (and sister) recorded this song. Why I could never figure out. Then when it was all over Kitty Kallen came along and a hit with it. It's the song that would not die.

[UncleCharlieOakley]

Absolutely beautiful.  And her wit and intelligence shine through.

[three185]

Her voice had warmth, charm

and above all else...AUTHORITY!

The blueprint for GREATNESS!

[corvus13]

She looks so amazingly beautiful in this.

[norfolk03]

Have always been a Doris Day fan, But I like Gisele's version better. Thank you for this lovely gift, I just love her!

[VideosTimes2]

I, too, enjoy Doris Day. Her hit version of this song (and many others) gave Gisele, Dorothy Collins, Russell Arms & Snooky Lanson a lot of fine material to perform on their show "Your Hit Parade." I should also point out that I've always had a BIG crush on the lovely Gisele...and got to know her very well. She was an angel!

[VTMCompany]

@norfolk03

after hearing Gisele do this one, i don't want to hear anybody else sing it...

[VideosTimes2]

Not necessarily...Your Hit Parade often hired bit players to do some of the small roles, but often it was one of the Hit Parade singers (conducted by the great Ray Charles) or dancers who also took on these parts.

[hajune]

Jack Benny so impressed by her that when he found out the Hit Parade was looking for a female performer he had her on his show and gave her every funny line and every chance to show her many many talents. She dazzled the audience. The NEXT DAY the Hit Parade offered her the job without even an interview. Thank you Jack for putting this wonderful talent and person in the spot light..

[VideosTimes2]

This is so true. Gisele played piano, sang, played a violin duet with Jack, did comedy, and Jack even took her down to his vault so she could play comedy. Gisele's co-star on "Club 15" was also a guest on the same Benny Show. Gisele joked in later years that Jack let her sweep out the studio after the show and turn out the lights...

[fungbryan]

She is a graceful lady. And this song is a fabulous song! I like it, thanks.

[UncleCharlieOakley]

Such a rich, beautiful, warm voice.  Wonderful! I'm so sorry I never got to see her perform live. She seemed so witty and intelligent.

[VideosTimes2]

You are so right! I saw Gisele MANY times in concerts, night clubs, musical comedy presentations, and she was a TRUE delight. THE perfect combination of comedienne, singer and grand lady...and with that rich, pure, contralto singing voice and perfect pitch...what more can I say?

[UncleCharlieOakley]

@VideosTimes2 You are so lucky -- and discerning. She was a magnificent talent. I wish Sondheim and Prince would have found a role for her in "Follies," along with the great Dorothy Collins. Her voice is just wonderful. I hope she knew how truly gifted she was and how much joy she brought to people. And she was truly crush-worthy!

[rudisroom]

Beautiful!

[VideosTimes2]

And such a grand person.  I knew her very well...she was a true delight...a REAL angel! Bless her heart!

[nominext]

great voice.