"The Nearness of You" is a popular song written in 1938 by Hoagy Carmichael, with lyrics by Ned Washington. The song was performed in the Paramount film Romance in the Dark (1938) by the lead actress Gladys Swarthout of the Metropolitan Opera. However, some debate this origin.
The first big-selling version was recorded on April 28, 1940 by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, with a vocal by Ray Eberle (Bluebird catalog number B-10745-A). This recording first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on July 20, 1940 (though this is misleading, as this was Billboard's first chart) and lasted eight weeks on the chart, peaking at #5.
Other popular contemporary versions were recorded by Kay Kyser's orchestra (vocal: Harry Babbitt, Columbia catalog number 35488), by Dinah Shore with Paul Weston's orchestra (Bluebird catalog number 10793), and by Eddy Howard with Lou Adrian's orchestra (Columbia catalog number 35511).
In 1953, Bob Manning reached #16 on the pop charts with this song on Capitol Records #2383
Jonathan Frakes[4] performed the song on trombone in "11001001" (1988), the 15th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, while in a holographic simulation of a 1958 New Orleans bar.
Sheena Easton released her version from her standards album in No Strings (1993) and for the soundtrack of Indecent Proposal (1993), in which she appears in a cameo singing the song with Herbie Hancock playing the piano in the movie.
Steve Buscemi sang/cried a version of the song as the not so happy character, Happy Franks, in the film The Impostors (1998), after the band leader protests that it is a little slow.
The song was performed by Norah Jones on her album Come Away With Me (2002), and (partially) in the film Two Weeks Notice (2002). It was also performed by Diana Krall on the Geoff Keezer album, Turn Up the Quiet.
A well-known bootleg recording exists featuring the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards performing a solo version, accompanying himself on piano. Richards performed the song live during the Stones' 2002-2003 Licks Tour. A performance was captured and released on the live album Live Licks (2004).
German jazz and pop artist Marc Secara recorded the song with the Berlin Jazz Orchestra on the CD You're Everything (2008); this was arranged for big band by Steve Gray.
Norah Jones performed the song live at the Steve Jobs Memorial/Celebration of Life, at the Apple, Inc. corporate headquarters on October 19, 2011.
Paul AnkaRay AnthonyEddy ArnoldShirley BasseyPerla BatallaBrook BentonJackie GleasonPat BooneBoston Pops OrchestraConnee Boswell (Decca) with "Blueberry Hill")James BrownMichael Brecker and James TaylorLes BrownRay BrownChick Bullock (recorded April 26, 1940, Vocalion) with "Fools Rush In")CakeHoagy CarmichaelBill CharlapLarry Clinton (recorded May 22, 1940, Victor) with "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano")Rosemary ClooneyArnett CobbNat King ColeCy Coleman (MGM) with "You Call It Madness")Bing CrosbyVic DamoneDorothy DandridgeSammy Davis, Jr. (1957, UK, Brunswick) with "Mad Ball")Bill Doggett (1970 King) with "Moon Dust")Bill Doggett Quartet (King) with "Honey")Lou Donaldson (Blue Note) with "Mack the Knife")The Dorsey BrothersJimmy DorseySheena EastonRay EberlePercy FaithRobert FarnonElla FitzgeraldElla Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on Ella and Louis (Verve, 1956)The Flamingos (1965 Philips) with "Don't Cheat On Me")The Four Freshmen Golden Anniversary Celebrations (2001)Judy GarlandRed GarlandCrystal GayleStan GetzDizzy GillespieRobert GouletStephane GrappelliLionel HamptonRoy HargroveJohnny HartmanHash Brown (1963, Philips) with "I Got My Job Through The New York Times")Ray Herbeck (Vocalion) with "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano")Woody Herman (recorded June 25, 1950, Capitol) with "Johannesburg")Fred HerschBillie HolidayEddy Howard (Columbia) with "Fools Fall in Love")Leslie HutchinsonMilt JacksonEtta JamesHarry James (recorded May 1940, Varsity) with "Mister Meadowlark")Joni James (1956, MGM) with "Let There Be Love", also included in her album Let There Be Love)Dr. JohnNorah JonesLisa Kelly & JB Scott (2013)Marie Knight (1963 Diamond) and in Canada by Apex both with "Walk Away")Kay Kyser (recorded April 30, 1940, Columbia) with "Blue Lovebird")Annie LennoxAbbey Lincoln and Hank Jones on When There is Love (February 22, 1994, Polygram)Guy Lombardo (Decca) with "Blue Lovebird")Julie LondonBarbara MandrellBob Manning (Capitol) and by Australian Capitol, both with the flip side "Gypsy Girl"; also by UK Capitol in 1953 with the flip side "All I Desire")Mat Mathews Quintet (released 1952 by Brunswick with "Bag's Groove")Brad MehldauByron MelcherHelen MerrillGlenn MillerMinaMatt MonroLittle Joey Morant (Mala, 1960) with "The Great Pretender")Gerry MulliganPeter MulveyRicky NelsonWillie NelsonEva OlmerováCharlie ParkerA. Pouw and T. KokDella Reese on An Evening with Della Reese, 1958Dianne ReevesJoe Reisman Orchestra and ChorusMarty RobbinsAmália RodriguesRolling StonesAl Romero (RCA Victor) with "Keep It Gay")The Roommates (1963, Philips) with "Don't Cheat On Me")George Shearing The Swingin's Mutual! (with Nancy Wilson) (1961)Dinah Shore (recorded June 25, 1940, Bluebird) with "Maybe")Frank SinatraKeely SmithTab Smith (Checker) and by Quality Records in Canada both with "Because of You")Jo StaffordThe Stepping Stones (1963, Philips) with "I Get My Job Through The New York Times")Rod StewartTed Straeter (MGM) with "Everything I Love")Barbra StreisandReinhold Svensson (recorded September 19, 1950, Discovery) with "Strike Up the Band")Inga SwearengenAndrea TessaThree Sounds (Blue Note) with "One For Renee")Steve TyrellSarah VaughanBee WatsonJohnny "Guitar" Watson (King)Elisabeth WelchVic West (Planet, 1957 (Australia) with "This Love of Mine")Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio