Old Cape Cod/Patti Page

"Old Cape Cod" is a song, written by Claire Rothrock, Milton Yakus, and Allan Jeffrey, and published in 1957.

The recording by Patti Page was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 71101; flip side "Wondering." It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on June 3, 1957. On the Disk Jockey chart, it peaked at #3; on the Best Seller chart, at #8; on the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #7. It appears on the soundtrack of Die Hard 2 (1990).

A sample of Patti Page's recording formed the basis of Groove Armada's 1997 UK hit "At the River". The lines "If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air, / Quaint little villages here and there..." sung in Page's multi-tracked close-harmony, are repeated over and over, with the addition of synthesizer bass, slowed-down drums and a bluesy trombone solo to produce a chill-out track.

In 1976, the song was recorded by Bette Midler for her album "Songs for the New Depression" (1976). The song was released as a single, where it peaked at #36 on the US Adult Contemporary Charts.

The song is strangely featured in the 1990 film Die Hard 2: Die Harder, playing on a record player belonging to the Janitor named Marvin.
This song has also been recorded by Jerry Vale, Michael Holliday, The Puppini Sisters, John Prine, and Anne Murray.

Bing Crosby performed it on his CBS Radio program in 1957. The recording has been released after his death.
In 2008, Mark Weber recorded a mid-tempo version of the song for his "When I Fall In Love" album.

On August 8, 2010, this song appeared on AMC's "Mad Men," Season 4, Episode 3: 'The Good News'.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pop
• vocal
• Patti
• Page
• Claire
• Rothrock
• Milt
• Yakus
• Allan
• Jeffrey

[shannonkuratli]

My mother sang this absentmindedly as she folded laundry, whipping potatoes, braiding my hair...she was a singer and I'd listen to her, not knowing that Cape Cod even existed anywhere. Now she has passed and I am on the East Coast where I can suddenly clearly identify with the sparkling beauty of this song and why she loved it so. Now, this song is my way of visiting with my mother. Thank you so much for posting it and pairing it with the beautiful images. ...Hi Mom. xoxo

[CookiesDen2]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I am happy that this post brought you some measure of happiness and wonderful memories.

[artistswriter]

This is fabulous!! And such a nostalgic reminder! I grew up in a small town north of Boston and we often vacationed on Cape Cod when I was a child; this song came out when I was in high school! I listened to it until I nearly wore out the grooves in the record! Rememer the old 45's?!! Hadn't thought about this in years, as, sadly, I'm far from Cape Cod right nowl Thanks for a lovely memory and "time out" to again feel the sand between my toes and smell the salt air!

[CookiesDen2]

I'm pleased you enjoyed this post and that it brought back fond memories for you. Thank you for watching and your comment.

[HerkyHawk1985]

Great one here too rey ! thanks for posting it ! peace, paul

[CookiesDen2]

Hi Paul -

I'm happy you enjoyed this one. Thanks for your great comment.

Rey

[IngridHexerl]

This is a beautiful song. With the sweet voice of Patti, it sounds so romantic. Especially when combined with the fantastic photos and the image sequences.

Quaint little villages, the boats.

It's like I do on an idyllic place holiday.

The melodies of "If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air ..." make the video for a magical experience.

A special thanks to the detailed description and discography.*****

It gives me great pleasure friend Rey.

❤

Have a nice weekend.

Hugs. Ingrid from Austria

[CasablancaWelli]

@shannonkuratli ...awesome post. 

[stephenhad]

This song made me board a plane from the U.K. to Boston and I stayed in Hyannis for a week. The place certainly lives up to the song because I did fall in love with Cape Cod!

[FelisDestructicus]

@shannonkuratli :(

[erejnion]

Thumbs up if you are here after a total waste of 6 minutes and 35 seconds.

[dadsoldtapes]

How would a 22-year old end up watching this vid? Answer: The movie Die Hard 2: Die Harder. Remember what Marvin the Janitor was listening to on his record player when McClane shows up?

[novaboy49]

Remember it well, I was 14 at the time. I can almost smell the hot vacuum tubes from the radio. Kids today don't know what I'm talking about.