Say It Isn't So (Irving Berlin song) explained

"Say It Isn't So" is a popular torch song by Irving Berlin, published in 1932. The song was written when Berlin was suffering a loss of confidence following several setbacks, and he initially placed the song in a drawer, feeling that it would not be successful. However, one of Berlin's employees, Max Winslow, heard it, and on his own initiative, took it to Rudy Vallée, who was then a major star on radio. Vallee sang it on his radio show and it became an immediate hit.^[1] George Olsen and His Orchestra released a version in 1932 that reached No. 1, and other popular versions in 1932 were by Ozzie Nelson, Connee Boswell and Vallée.^{[2] [3]} Alfredo Antonini and his orchestra collaborated with Victoria Cordova and John Serry Sr. to record the work for Muzak in the 1940s.^[4]

Cover versions

The song has been recorded many times by different artists. Notable versions include:

• Connee Boswell (1932, No. 10)^[5]
• Bing Crosby recorded the song for his album Bing Crosby's Treasury - The Songs I Love (1968 version).
• Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra (1932, #8)^[6]
• Layton & Johnstone - Columbia DB982 (1932)
• Annette Hanshaw - Banner – 32563 (1932)
• Bob and Alf Pearson - Imperial 2816 (1933)
• Julie London on her 1955 LP album, Julie Is Her Name Vol 1.^[7]
• Dinah Washington for her album In the Land of Hi-Fi (1956).^[8]
• Teddi King - A 1957 recording for a RCA-Victor,^[9] andRound Midnight (2008)
• Andy Williams for his album, Lonely Street (1959).^[10]
• Stan Kenton - The Romantic Approach (1961)^[11]
• Aretha Franklin for her album Laughing on the Outside (1963)^[12]
• Stacey Kent - The Boy Next Door (2003)^[13]
• Billie Holiday - Lady Sings the Blues (2010 box set)^[14]
• Lucy Maunder for her album, Songs in the Key of Black (2012).^[15]
• The Caretaker, sampling the song for a track of his last release Everywhere at the End of Time (20162019).^[16]

Notes and References

1. Book: Bergreen. Laurence. As Thousands Cheer - The Life of Irving Berlin. registration. 1990. Viking Penguin Inc. New York. 0-340-53486-9. 305–306.
2. http://musicvf.com/song.php?id=116003&artist=George+Olsen+and+His+Orchestra&title=Say+it+Isn%27t+So George Olsen and His Orchestra, "Say It Isn't So" Chart Position
3. Book: Whitburn. Joel. Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. 1986. Record Research Inc. Wisconsin, USA. 0-89820-083-0. 575. registration.
4. https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/holdingsInfo?searchId=10072&recCount=25&recPointer=7&bibId=12506525 Victoria Cordova and the Alfredo Antonini Orchrestra perform "Say It Isn't So" as archived at The Library of Congress Online Catalog at catalog.loc.gov
5. http://musicvf.com/song.php?id=119038&artist=Connee+Boswell&title=Say+it+Isn%27t+So Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, "Connee Boswell" Chart Position
6. http://musicvf.com/song.php?id=116349&artist=Ozzie+Nelson+and+His+Orchestra&title=Say+it+Isn%27t+So Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, "Say It Isn't So" Chart Position
7. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. April 25, 2024.
8. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. April 25, 2024.
9. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012 . Joel Whitburn . 2013 . Record Research . 465.

10. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. April 26, 2024.
11. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. April 26, 2024.
12. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. April 26, 2024.
13. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. April 25, 2024.
14. Web site: www.discogs.com. discogs.com. April 25, 2024.
15. Web site: Lucy Maunder brings her love of old-world music to Noosa Longweekend. Courier Mail. 29 September 2013. Nathanael Cooper. 14 June 2012.
16. Web site: The Caretaker: Everywhere at the End of Time . January 23, 2017 . 13 April 2021 . Spectrum Culture . Padua . Pat .