Rahul Sharma (Editor)

I'm Beginning to See the Light

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"I'm Beginning to See the Light" is a popular song and jazz standard, written by Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James, and published in 1944. Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots featuring Bill Kenny recorded a version in 1945, that was on the pop song hits list for six weeks in 1945, reaching #5. A competing 1945 recording by Harry James and his Orchestra, with lead vocal by Kitty Kallen reached #1 for two weeks in January of that year. James' version of the song reached #7 on Billboard's Second Annual High School Survey in 1945. Duke Ellington also released in 1945 a version, which reached the top ten. Ellington's inspiration for this song was his recent initiation into Freemasonry. He was a member of Social Lodge No. 1 of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, Prince Hall Affiliation.

Notable recordings

  • April Ames - "Strike A Match" (1959)
  • Rosemary Clooney – Out of This World (2000)
  • Bobby Darin
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Johnnie Ray (1958)
  • Connie Francis (1958)
  • Oscar Alemán, guitarist (1946)
  • Billy Eckstine recorded the song many times: with Billy May, with Quincy Jones, with Bobby Tucker and with Gil Askey.
  • In 1986 Australian recording artist Kate Ceberano recorded a version for her album Kate Ceberano and her Septet.
  • Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. Vocal: Joya Sherrill Recorded in New York City on December 1, 1944. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalogue number 20-1618
  • Ella and Basie!, a 1963 Verve release with arrangements by Quincy Jones.
  • Clare Fischer – Songs for Rainy Day Lovers (1967)
  • Peggy Lee – Things Are Swingin' (1958) Capitol Records ST 1049 US
  • Peggy Lee – Spotlight on Peggy Lee (1995)
  • Gerry Mulligan - Gerry Mulligan with Chet Baker (1955)
  • Sutton Foster recorded a version for her album Wish
  • The Hi-Lo's – A Musical Thrill (2006)
  • The Ink Spots featuring Bill Kenny & Ella Fitzgerald
  • Chelsea Krombach performed the song for her debut album Look for the Silver Lining
  • The SuperJazz Big Band of Birmingham, Alabama, recorded the song on the CD UAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis Marsalis
  • Michael Bublé
  • Kelly Rowland
  • Joe Jackson recorded a cover of the song for his Duke Ellington tribute album, "The Duke".
  • Royce Campbell – Get Happy (2007)
  • Mel Torme-- "At the Crescendo"

    • References

    I'm Beginning to See the Light Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA