B-side "I Care So Much" Recorded Fall 1958 | Format 7" Length 2:25 | |
Released February 16, 1959 (Dolphin)
April, 1959 (Liberty) Label Dolphin Records, Liberty Records | ||
"Come Softly to Me" is a popular song written by Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis and Gary Troxel that was performed by The Fleetwoods, composed of Christopher, Troxel, and Ellis. It was recorded in late 1958, and released and published in 1959; it was the first release for the new Dolphin Records label.
Contents
The original title was "Come Softly," but was changed en route to its becoming a hit. Bob Reisdorf, the owner of Dolphin Records, which in 1960 changed to Dolton Records, was responsible for the title change. He thought that "Come Softly" might be too obvious and considered risqué, so he had it changed to "Come Softly to Me." The title phrase never appears in the song's lyrics.
Recording the song at home, the group sang it a cappella with the rhythmic shaking of Troxel's car keys. The tape was then sent to Los Angeles where the sparse instrumental accompaniment was added, including an acoustic guitar played by Bonnie Guitar. Released in 1959, the single reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in April.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by other artists, including Sandy Salisbury, Henri Salvador "Tout doux, tout doucement" (1959); Four Jacks and a Jill (1965); The Serendipity Singers on United Artists in 1968; Bob Welch (with Christine McVie on backing vocals); Frankie Vaughan with The Kaye Sisters, who had a chart hit in the United Kingdom with it; Jane Olivor; Mercy;Mercy released a version of the song on their 1969 album, Love Can Make You Happy. and The New Seekers, whose version reached #95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on the UK charts in 1972-73. A cover version performed by The Roches is repeated several times on the soundtrack of the film Crossing Delancey. Buck Dharma of Blue Öyster Cult covered the song on his 1982 solo album, Flat Out.