It Was a Very Good Year

It Was a Very Good Year is a 1961 book written by Ervin Drake song. It was first recorded trio for his album Goin 'Places by The Kingston. The song was an internationally known hit, which also developed the Jazz Standard in the published in 1965 cover version of Frank Sinatra.

Characteristics and genesis of the song

The song is about the love affairs that had the singer in his life. In the last stanza he reflects on his age and thinks about his life, which he compares to a good wine; all his romances come to him so sweet like a good quality wine.

One evening, Drake informed a fellow publisher that Bob Shane will visit him the next day because he needed a song. When he was writing the song until then, the payment would be assured. Drake wrote the song in ten minutes, but grabbed it on the image of the wine which represents life, back to which he had thought for a while.

Cover versions

Sinatra's interpretation of It Was a Very Good Year in 1966 won the Grammy for best male vocal performance, the arranger Gordon Jenkins was awarded the Grammy for Best Arrangement as vocal or instrument accompaniment. The song reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Sinatra's first number-one hit on the Easy Listening charts.

Lonnie Donegan Also, Wes Montgomery, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and Eddie Harris published versions of the play. Robbie Williams took for his album Swing When You're Winning on a version in which he sings a duet with Sinatra's original voice.