Softly, As I Leave You

[MikeFromHolland]

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The Italian song "Piano" ("Softly") was written by Antonio De Vita (10 February 1932 – 14 January 1998) and Giorgio Calabrese (28 November 1929 – 31 March 2016).


Antonio De Vita was an Italian composer, conductor, arranger and pianist.

Born in Milan, De Vita graduated at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in his hometown. He started his career as a pianist, accompanying artists such as Johnny Dorelli and Betty Curtis. In 1963 he debuted on television as the conductor in the variety show La fiera dei sogni, and from then he appeared in dozens of popular shows, including Senza rete, Fantastico and Domenica in.

De Vita composed over five hundred songs and musical scores.



Giorgio Calabrese was an Italian songwriter and frequent collaborator with French singer Charles Aznavour.

Calabrese also wrote the Italian version of Aznavour's famous song, "She", titled "Lei". He also wrote the Italian lyrics for the song, "E se domani", composed by Carlo Rossi. It was entered in the 1964 Sanremo Music Festival.



The song "Piano" was originally an Italian success by Italian singer Mina, at the 1960 Sanremo Music Festival. Mina published a recording of the song first as a single in 1960 and later as well on an EP and on three LPs:

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South African songwriter Hal Shaper (Muizenberg, July 18, 1931 - Kaapstad, January 8, 2004) noticed the song and in November 1961 wrote English lyrics to the melody, calling it "Softly, as I Leave You."


Hal Shaper



The first version of "Softly, As I Leave You" was released in January 1962, and was performed by Matt Monro:

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This version reached #10 on the British charts in 1962.



Frank Sinatra reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Easy Listening chart in 1964:

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The Sinatra family announced Frank's death on May 14, 1998 by placing an announcement on their website that was accompanied by a recording of the singer's version of the song.




Elvis' version was released on single on February 27, 1978, as B-side to "Unchained Melody". It was recorded on December 13, 1975:

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"When he performed the song live in Las Vegas, Elvis Presley prefaced with a story about the origins of the song. Presley said the song originated when a man was dying and his wife was sitting by his bedside. As she began to doze off, he felt himself beginning to die and he wrote the words to the song on a notepad. However, Elvis insiders claim that his explanation for the song was merely an example of Presley's flair for storytelling, so his explanation is most likely apocryphal. Elvis said he heard the story "from some people in Florida.""



Just a few other versions

The Fleetwoods - 1964
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Bobby Darin - 1965
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Shirley Bassey - 1968
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Cliff Richard with The London Philharmonic Orchestra - 1983
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Michael Bublé - 2006
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SOURCES
http://davidneale.eu/elvis/originals/list8.html#S1450
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softly,_as_I_Leave_You_(song)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_De_Vita
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Shaper

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[brian]

I have always liked Elvis' version.

[Eggrert]

Although I've long grown tired of the introduction (which struck me as cheesy even from the first listen), I actually quite like the way Elvis did the song. I think it's very effective, and certainly unique in his canon.

[acapulco1922]

I have always liked Elvis' version.

It was more Sherrill Nielsen with Elvis monologue.

[steve in SC]

Number 2 on my dislike list, right behind Old Shep. Elvis barely sings in this song anyway. If I never hear SAILY again it will be ok.

[r&b]

Never liked this one iota. Elvis, really? I'll take Frank's record which is a perfect pop record.

[MikeFromHolland]

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Elvis solo:

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[brian]

I have always liked Elvis' version.

It was more Sherrill Nielsen with Elvis monologue.

I liked that it was something different.

[acapulco1922]

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Elvis solo:

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Prefer the white vinyl version.

[MikeFromHolland]

Prefer the white vinyl version.

O yes:

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[poormadpeter2]

I've never liked the song sung by anyone - and that includes Darin and Sinatra. To give Elvis credit where it's due, whether you like or loathe his version, at least he was trying something new and different within his show, and it did at least provide a break from the big sound of the rest of the show. The story is, of course, pure nonsense - but we have to believe it because Elvis said it repeatedly on stage, so it must be true!

[acapulco1922]

I've never liked the song sung by anyone - and that includes Darin and Sinatra.

Not even Matt Monro?

[Eggrert]

I've never liked the song sung by anyone - and that includes Darin and Sinatra.

Not even Matt Monro?

My thoughts exactly! I think Monro's version is definitive, and a lovely pop record.

[stevelecher]

Was that solo version from the closing show, summer 1973? It is cringe worthy.

[poormadpeter2]

I've never liked the song sung by anyone - and that includes Darin and Sinatra.

Not even Matt Monro?

Nope. Just don't like the song.

[norrie]

Sober,I can't stand it.Cheesy pathos of the highest order.Pished, it's the sadest deepest song in the universe that makes me cry like a drunken baby.

norrie

[acapulco1922]

If it's sung properly as in the Matt Monro version then I have no issues with the song itself.

[galaxie]

I do like Elvis' version. Timbre between Elvis and Sherrill is pure and in harmony. Maybe because it was my very first 45 record.

[Juan Luis]

Thanks for the thread. Very interesting. Never liked the song and didn't buy the story even before I knew it was fake. Not convincing Elvis for me. I like the last 10 seconds when Elvis finishes the song.