Long Ago (and Far Away)

Long Ago ( and Far Away ) is a song by Ira Gershwin ( lyrics ) and Jerome Kern ( music) written and published in 1944. The song was to Ira Gershwin's greatest commercial success.

Creation of the song and first recording

Core and Gershwin wrote the song in the form ABAB ' in F major for the film musical Cover Girl (1944, English title Covergirl, directed. Charles Vidor ), in which it is sung directed by Rita Hayworth to Gene Kelly ( Double the vocals was Martha Mears ). The singing scene takes place in a Brooklyn nightclub .. After its release, the song came in the versions of Dick Haymes ( for Brunswick), Helen Forrest ( Decca ), Bing Crosby ( Decca ), Jo Stafford, Guy Lombardo ( Decca ) and Perry Como ( Victor ) in the U.S. charts. The ballad is provided with the inspired lyrics Ira Gershwin:

Jerome Kern, who first composed the melody, initially had problems getting the finished lyrics by Ira Gershwin, who was known for his slow work. Core had initially insisted that they both work ended at his home on the wing, while Gershwin favorite at home surrounded by his books wrote. The joint work was difficult, since core preferred romantic melodies, Gershwin but schwertat, writing lyrics a love song. Angered by the delay, suggested core from the sarcastic title understood Watching Little Alice Pee. Shortly before filming began Ira Gershwin gave the text through over the phone. It remained the only collaboration between core and Gershwin.

Core is soaring lines brought Ira Gershwin to use uncharacteristic platitudes, what the song was a nostalgic appeal in view of the fighting in World War II American soldiers. Long Ago and Far Away was a very successful song in the United States. The song, which held for twenty weeks Your Hit Parade, was nominated in the category Best Song for an Oscar, finally the 1945 Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for Swinging on a Star received ''.

Cover versions

Already in 1944 the song of swing orchestras and soloists such as Jan Garber, Glenn Miller, Herman Chittison, Mal Hallett, Artie Shaw, Jimmy Dorsey, Les Brown has been covered; in Europe, inter alia, Eddie Brunner, Philippe Brun, Reginald Foresythe and Leo Souris of the song took on. This was followed in the 1950s sung and instrumental cover versions of Erroll Garner, Lars Gullin, Benny Carter, Oscar Peterson, Chet Baker, The Hi- Lo's, Mel Tormé, Red Mitchell, Art Pepper, Lorez Alexandria and David Allyn, the song the made it a popular jazz standard. Tom Lord lists 300 cover versions of the title from the American Film Institute, he was included in the list of the 100 best movie songs.