When I Grow Too Old to Dream
"When I Grow Too Old to Dream" is a popular song with music by Sigmund Romberg and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, published in 1934. The song has become a pop standard, recorded by many artists, most notably Nat King Cole, The Everly Brothers & Gracie Fields however it was first sung by Evelyn Laye.
Early hits versions (according to charts in Pop Memories 1890-1954 by Joel Whitburn {1986}) include: Decca 349 by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra (charted 2-9-35 for 23 weeks, peaking at # 1 for 4 weeks) Victor 285 by Nelson Eddy (charted 8-10-35 for 4 weeks, peaking at #8).[1]
Other versions
- Among the recordings is a 1951 recording by Gordon Jenkins as the flip side of his hit, "Charmaine" (Decca Records catalog number 27886[2]).
- Ed Townsend released a version of the song as a single in 1958 that reached #59 on the Billboard pop chart.[3]
- Linda Ronstadt recorded the song on her 1978 album Living in the USA and performed the song on an episode of The Muppet Show.
- A segment of "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" is used in the chorus of the song "Too Old To Dream" on O'Hooley and Tidow's album Silent June (2010).
In popular culture
The song was featured in a 1935 MGM musical film called The Night Is Young starring Ramon Novarro and Evelyn Laye. The song is referred to in the movie "I Never Sang For My Father" as the song the father had always asked his son to sing.
References
- ↑ Pop Memories: The History of American Pop Music by Joel Whitburn (published 1986)
- ↑ Decca Records in the 27500 to 27999 series
- ↑ Ed Townsend, "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" chart position Retrieved August 15, 2016.