Written 1953 | ||
Writer(s) Ervin Drake
Irvin Graham
Jimmy Shirl
Al Stillman | ||
"I Believe" is a popular song written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman in 1953.
"I Believe" was commissioned and introduced by Jane Froman on her television show, and became the first hit song ever introduced on TV. Froman, troubled by the uprising of the Korean War in 1952 so soon after World War II, asked Drake, Graham, Shirl and Stillman to compose a song that would offer hope and faith to the populace. In addition to Froman, "I Believe" has been recorded by many others, and has become both a popular and religious standard.
Frankie Laine's version spent eighteen non-consecutive weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart. Laine also had the most successful version in America, where he reached #2 for three weeks.
Quodlibet with Ave Maria
In 1972, Shawnee Music published a new arrangement of "I Believe" that includes a quodlibet with Bach/Gounod, "Ave Maria". This version is frequently performed by choirs at Christmas time.