My Coloring Book

Last updated

"My Coloring Book" is a song written by Fred Ebb and John Kander. First performed by Sandy Stewart in 1962 on the television program The Perry Como Kraft Music Hall , she was one of the first artists to record the work in 1962 when it was released as a single. She also included the song on her 1963 album which was also named My Coloring Book. [1] Stewart's single charted in the top 20, and so did another 1962 single version of the song recorded by Kitty Kallen. Stewart's recording of the song was nominated for the 1963 Grammy Award for Best Solo Vocal Performance, Female and Kander and Ebb were nominated for the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year. [2] Barbra Streisand also recorded the song as a single in 1962, but it was a financial flop. She made a different recording of the work on her 1963 album, The Second Barbra Streisand Album , which was a critical success and has enjoyed enduring popularity. Many other artists have recorded and performed the song in succeeding decades, most recently Kristin Chenoweth in 2014. While not originally written for one of their musicals, the song was included in the Off-Broadway musical revue And the World Goes ‘Round: The Songs of Kander and Ebb in 1991.

Contents

Composition and early performance and recording history

"My Coloring Book" / "Lover, Come Back to Me"
MyColoringBook1.jpg
Single by Barbra Streisand
from the album The Second Barbra Streisand Album
ReleasedNovember 1962
Recorded1962
Genre Pop
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Mike Berniker
Barbra Streisand singles chronology
"Happy Days Are Here Again" / "When the Sun Comes Out"
(1962)		"My Coloring Book" / "Lover, Come Back to Me"
(1962)		"People" / "I Am Woman"
(1964)

Kander and Ebb originally wrote the song "My Coloring Book" for Kaye Ballard who was a close friend of the song writing duo. [3] Ballard brought the song to the producers of the television show The Perry Como Kraft Music Hall with whom she was a regular performer. [4] Kander and Ebb performed the song for Nick Vanoff, one of the producers of the show, who liked the song but felt the material needed a singer other than Ballard. [5] The producers were not open to having Ballard sing the song because they felt she was a comedian and not a singer who could effectively deliver more serious material. [3]

The producers of The Perry Como Kraft Music Hall had Sandy Stewart perform the premiere of the song on the October 31, 1962 broadcast of the television program. [1] The critical and public response to this performance was enthusiastic, with more than 20,000 fan letters coming in for Stewart about her performance. [6] Tommy Valando published the song with Sunbeam Music, a division of Broadcast Music, Inc., for sheet music sales at this time. [7] Record labels and performing artists quickly lobbied Kander and Ebb for the right to record and perform the song, resulting in multiple different single recording releases in 1962. Charles Sinclair in Billboard wrote

"One of the sharpest record duels in recent weeks is shaping up over the season's prettiest new ballad — a timely John Kander-Fred Ebb tune called "My Coloring Book." No less than four single versions of it reached BMW for review last week, and more are reported in the works. [6]

The first four singles of "My Coloring Book" were all released simultaneously in the last week of November and first week of December 1962 by singers Sandy Stewart, Kitty Kallen, George Chakiris, and Barbra Streisand. [6] Stewart's single of the work, made for Colpix Records, was paired with "I Heard You Cry Last Night" as a b-side. [8] Record sales of her single were boosted considerably by several more performances of the song on television, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show . [9] [10] In January 1963 she released her album, My Coloring Book, named after the song. [11] Stewart's version was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Solo Vocal Performance, Female in 1963. She also included the song on her 1963 album which was titled after the song. [1]

Chakiris's single was paired with the song "I've Got Your Number" as a b side and was made with Capitol Records. [12] Kallen's single was made for RCA Victor Records and included "Here to Us" as a b-side. [8] Kallen's single sold very well, and by January 12, 1963, her version and Stewart's version were closely matched on the Billboard Hot 100 with Kallen placing 13th and Stewart placing 14th on the chart. [13]

Streisand heard Stewart perform My Coloring Book on Perry Como's show, and she called Kander and Ebb the day after to ask them if she could record the song. [5] They agreed. [5] Her version was arranged and conducted by Robert Mersey, the song was released as Barbra Streisand's second single release in November 1962, as a double single with "Lover, Come Back To Me". [14] Produced by Mike Berniker, and recorded before Streisand's first album sessions, the single was sent to radio. [15] This release did not sell well, and the 1962 recordings of "My Coloring Book" by Sandy Stewart and Kitty Kallen both were more financially profitable that Streisand's version. [14] This 1962 version was re-released as a single in March 1965 as part of the "Hall of Fame" series with the 1962 recording of "Happy Days Are Here Again". [15] Streisand later re-recorded the song for her critically successful second album, The Second Barbra Streisand Album . [14]

"Happy Days Are Here Again" / "My Coloring Book"
Single by Barbra Streisand
from the album The Barbra Streisand Album
ReleasedMarch 1965
Recorded1962
Genre Pop
Songwriter(s)

List of recordings

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbra Streisand</span> American singer and actress (born 1942)

Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand is an American singer, actress, songwriter, film and television producer, and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment and is among the few performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT).

Kander and Ebb were a highly successful American songwriting team consisting of composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb. Known primarily for their stage musicals, which include Cabaret and Chicago, Kander and Ebb also scored several movies, including Martin Scorsese's New York, New York. Their most famous song is the theme song of that movie. Recorded by many artists, "New York, New York" became a signature song for Frank Sinatra. The team also became associated with two actresses, Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera, for whom they wrote a considerable amount of material for the stage, concerts and television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People (Barbra Streisand song)</span> 1964 single by Barbra Streisand

"People" is a song composed by Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill for the 1964 Broadway musical Funny Girl starring Barbra Streisand, who introduced the song. The song was released as a single in 1964 with "I Am Woman", a solo version of "You Are Woman, I Am Man", also from Funny Girl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Were the Only Girl (In the World)</span>

"If You Were the Only Girl (In the World)" is a popular song, written by Nat D. Ayer with lyrics by Clifford Grey. It was written for the musical revue The Bing Boys Are Here, which premièred on 19 April 1916 at the Alhambra Theatre in Leicester Square, London. The song was originally performed as a duet between Lucius Bing, played by George Robey, and his love interest Emma, originated by Violet Loraine.

Evergreen (Love Theme from <i>A Star Is Born</i>) 1976 single by Barbra Streisand

"Evergreen" is the theme song from the 1976 film A Star Is Born. It was composed and performed by American singer, songwriter, actress and director Barbra Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams, and arranged by Ian Freebairn-Smith. The song was released on the soundtrack album to A Star Is Born.

<i>The Barbra Streisand Album</i> 1963 studio album by Barbra Streisand

The Barbra Streisand Album is the debut album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released February 25, 1963, on Columbia Records, catalogue CL 2007 in mono and CS 8807 in stereo. It peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Top LPs, and has been certified a gold album by the RIAA. By 1966, the album had sold over one million copies worldwide.

<i>The Second Barbra Streisand Album</i> 1963 studio album by Barbra Streisand

The Second Barbra Streisand Album is the title of Barbra Streisand's second solo studio album. It was released in August 1963, just six months after the release of her debut album, The Barbra Streisand Album, and was recorded in four days in June 1963.

<i>Barbra Streisands Greatest Hits</i> 1970 greatest hits album by Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand. It was released in January 1970, by Columbia Records. The record is a compilation consisting of 11 commercially successful singles from the singer's releases in the 1960s, with a majority of them being cover songs. The songs on Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits originally appeared on one of the singer's eight previous albums and span in release from 1963 to 1968. It contains her most commercially successful tracks, including her first Billboard Hot 100 top ten single "People" and top 40 entry "Second Hand Rose". The album was distributed on compact disc in 1986 and rereleased under the title The Hits in 2006.

"Lover, Come Back to Me" is a popular song composed by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II for the Broadway show The New Moon, where the song was introduced by Evelyn Herbert and Robert Halliday. The song was published in 1928.

<i>What About Today?</i> 1969 studio album by Barbra Streisand

What About Today? is the eleventh studio album released in July 1969 by Barbra Streisand. It is considered to be her first attempt at recording contemporary pop songs and features songs by The Beatles and Paul Simon, among others.

<i>Stoney End</i> (Barbra Streisand album) 1971 studio album by Barbra Streisand

Stoney End is the twelfth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand. Released in 1971, it was a conscious change in direction for Streisand with a more upbeat contemporary pop/rock sound and was produced by Richard Perry. The album included cover versions of many songs by contemporary singer-songwriters of the day including Laura Nyro, Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell.

<i>Lazy Afternoon</i> (Barbra Streisand album) 1975 studio album by Barbra Streisand

Lazy Afternoon is the seventeenth studio album recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand. It was released on October 14, 1975, by Columbia Records. Following a mixed critical response to her previous studio album, ButterFly (1974), the singer began working with new musicians for the project. Recorded in April 1975 in Los Angeles, Lazy Afternoon contains pop standards. Producer Rupert Holmes wrote three songs on the album and co-wrote a fourth, "By the Way", with Streisand. She also included a few cover songs, such as Four Tops' "Shake Me, Wake Me ", Stevie Wonder's "You and I", and Libby Holman's "Moanin' Low".

<i>Live Concert at the Forum</i> 1972 live album by Barbra Streisand

Live Concert at the Forum is the second live album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released physically on October 1, 1972, by Columbia Records. Produced by long-time collaborator Richard Perry, it was recorded at The Forum in Inglewood, part of Greater Los Angeles, on April 15, 1972, during Four for McGovern, a concert held in benefit for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign. A CD version of Live Concert at the Forum was released on September 6, 1989.

<i>Liza! Liza!</i> 1964 studio album by Liza Minnelli

Liza! Liza! is the debut studio album by American singer Liza Minnelli. It was released on October 12, 1964, by Capitol Records. The album contains her interpretations of twelve pop standards. It was recorded in June 1964 at Capitol Records' New York studio at 151 West 46th Street.

<i>All Alone Am I</i> (album) 1963 studio album by Brenda Lee

All Alone Am I is the eighth studio album by American singer Brenda Lee. The album was released February 18, 1963, on Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. The album was the first of two studio albums released in 1963 and the album's title track became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests</i> 1963 studio album by Andy Williams

Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests is the eleventh studio album by American pop singer Andy Williams and was released in April 1963 by Columbia Records following his first season as host of his variety series, The Andy Williams Show. The LP has a studio recording of the closing theme from the show, "May Each Day", and continues the format of his previous Columbia releases by including songs from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Didn't We (Richard Harris song)</span> 1968 song by Richard Harris

"Didn't We" is a song recorded by Irish singer and actor Richard Harris for his debut studio album, A Tramp Shining (1968). It was written and produced by Jimmy Webb and originally served as the B-side to Harris' 1968 single "MacArthur Park". "Didn't We" was then distributed as the record's single by Dunhill Records, also in 1968. A traditional pop song, Harris sings about his life in the past. Commercially, it charted at lower positions of both the United States and Canada, and in the higher ranks of their Adult Contemporary component charts. Harris featured "Didn't We" on several of his greatest hits albums, including The Richard Harris Collection: His Greatest Performances from 1973. That same year, the song was reissued as a promotional single paired alongside his 1971 single "My Boy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jubilation (song)</span> 1972 single by Paul Anka

"Jubilation" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka for his 1972 studio album of the same name. Anka wrote the song with Johnny Harris, who also produced the track. It was released in 1972 as a 7" single by Buddah Records. A gospel song, the lyrics of "Jubilation" find the protagonist preaching about religious themes. Making a moderate commercial impact, it appeared on the record charts in both Canada and the United States. It has since been included on several of Anka's greatest hits albums and covered by The Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Lucky Can You Get</span> 1975 single by Barbra Streisand

"How Lucky Can You Get" is a song recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand for the official soundtrack to the 1975 film Funny Lady. It was released as a 7" single in April 1975 through Arista Records. The song was written by Fred Ebb and John Kander, while production was handled by Peter Matz. "How Lucky Can You Get" is one of the new songs on the soundtrack, with its origins coming from Fanny Brice, the character Streisand portrays in the aforementioned film. The music pertains to Brice herself, particularly the sarcastic nature of the lyrics that are accompanied by an "insistent" melody and production. It was suggested that the pattern of the lyrics may have been influenced by Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera, La bohème.

<i>Funny Lady</i> (soundtrack) 1975 soundtrack album by Barbra Streisand

Funny Lady is the soundtrack album of the 1975 musical film of the same title, starring Barbra Streisand. Released by Arista Records on March 15, 1975, arranged, conducted, and coordinated by Peter Matz, the album's fifteen tracks are performed by Streisand, James Caan, and Ben Vereen. A sequel to the 1968 musical comedy-drama Funny Girl, the songs extend the semi-biographical account of the life of American performer Fanny Brice. Funny Lady also included songs written by Brice's third husband Billy Rose. New music by Kander and Ebb included "How Lucky Can You Get", the album's only single, released in April 1975.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dave Nathan. My Coloring Book.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ Music: 240 Disks in 39 Categories Vie For Industry's Upcoming Grammy Awards. Vol. 230. April 17, 1963. p. 51.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. 1 2 Nadine Brozan (May 15, 1997). CHRONICLE.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ Actress-comedian sings her song - 36 years after losing it to Streisand. June 27, 1997.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. 1 2 3 John Kander; Fred Ebb; Greg Lawrence (2004). Colored Lights: Forty Years of Words and Music, Show Biz, Collaboration, and All That Jazz. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. pp. 21–27. ISBN   9781429928328.
  6. 1 2 3 Charles Sinclair (December 1, 1962). "Everybody's Got a Note In 'My Coloring Book'". Billboard . Vol. 74, no. 48. pp. 5, 40.
  7. ↑ Music: Hot 'Coloring Book' Plug On Como TV'er Evokes Lotsa Drive Memories. Vol. 228. November 14, 1962. p. 53.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  8. 1 2 "SINGLES REVIEWS". Billboard . Vol. 74, no. 48. December 1, 1962. pp. 19, 24.
  9. ↑ "Talent: TV GUEST APPEARANCES BY RECORD TALENT". Billboard . Vol. 75, no. 2. January 12, 1963. p. 10.
  10. ↑ "Talent: TV GUEST APPFARANCES". Billboard . Vol. 74, no. 49. December 8, 1962. p. 18.
  11. ↑ Record Review: P., P. Mary's 'Moving,' Savitt's 'Sax,' Stewart's 'Coloring Book' Top LPs. Vol. 229. January 2, 1963. p. 36.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  12. ↑ Record Review: Top Singles Of The Week. Vol. 229. December 5, 1962. p. 40.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  13. ↑ "MIDDLE-ROAD SINGLES". Billboard . Vol. 75, no. 2. January 12, 1963. p. 35.
  14. 1 2 3 Anne Edwards (2016). Streisand: A Biography. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 114. ISBN   9781630761295.
  15. 1 2 "The Barbra Streisand Music Guide". Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  16. ↑ Edward Berger, David Chevan (1993). Bassically Speaking: An Oral History of George Duvivier. Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers--The State University of New Jersey. p. 334. ISBN   9780810826915.
  17. ↑ Malcolm Macfarlane, Ken Crossland (2015). Perry Como: A Biography and Complete Career Record. McFarland & Company. p. 183.
  18. ↑ Richard K. Hayes (1995). Kate Smith:: A Biography, with a Discography, Filmography, and List of Stage Appearances. McFarland & Company. p. 172.
  19. ↑ Joel Whitburn (1993), Joel Whitburn's Top Adult Contemporary, 1961-1993, Record Research Inc., ISBN   0-89820-099-7
  20. ↑ "Top LP's". Billboard . February 9, 1963. p. 27.
  21. ↑ "Special Merit Picks". Billboard . May 18, 1963. p. 38.
  22. ↑ Skeeter Davis Sings The End of the World at AllMusic
  23. ↑ "George Chakiris". Billboard . April 6, 1963. p. 46.
  24. ↑ Paul Howes, Petula Clark (2012). The Complete Dusty Springfield. Titan Publishing Group. ISBN   9781781165409.
  25. ↑ Will Friedwald (2010). A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers. Pantheon Books. p. 452. ISBN   9780375421495.
  26. ↑ "Jane Morgan: In My Style". HiFi/Stereo Review . 16 (2): 114. 1966.
  27. ↑ Ethel Ennis - My Kind Of Waltztime , retrieved 2022-12-16
  28. ↑ Frits Spits (2009). Zestig strepen. Singel Uitgeverijen. ISBN   9789038891842.
  29. ↑ Mark Bego (2018). Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN   9781510745087.
  30. ↑ THE KING'S SINGERS DISCOGRAPHY BY ALBUM YEAR (PDF). February 2018.
  31. ↑ Philip Lambert, ed. (2016). Good Vibrations: Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys in Critical Perspective. University of Michigan Press. p. Appendix 7.3.
  32. ↑ Paul C. Mawhinney, ed. (1983). MusicMaster, the 45 RPM Record Directory: Listed by title. Record-Rama. p. 634.
  33. ↑ John Willis, ed. (1990–1991). "And The World Goes Round". Theatre World . 17: 71. ISBN   9781557831262.
  34. ↑ Daniel Ward (2017). Agnetha Fältskog: The Girl with the Golden Hair. Fonthill Media.
  35. ↑ Philiana Ng (November 12, 2014). Kristin Chenoweth's 'Coming Home': Listen to Emotional Ballad 'Fathers and Daughters' (Exclusive).{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.