Significant Songs (180)

~ beetleypete

It Was A Very Good Year

When the Frank Sinatra version of this song was released in 1961, my Dad bought the album, and played it constantly. As he was a good singer, he also learned the lyrics, and would wander around singing it, over and over. I was only nine years old at the time, but could tell the song had all the hallmarks of a classic, even though I didn’t have any experience of the emotions expressed by the words.

Every now and then, I would hear the song on the radio, or some cover version on a TV show. Then we went as a family to see Sinatra perform in London, with the Buddy Rich orchestra. After belting out all his well-known favourites, he slowed down, and in a single spotlight, performed this song. He seemed to really get into it, and the venue was hushed as he was singing, the audience feeling it too.

Now I am old, and can really appreciate the sentiments of the song.
It took me a long time, but I finally got it.

31 thoughts on “Significant Songs (180)”

      1. One of my favourites so of course he hated it because he had to perform it all the time along with My Way. Also I was surprised to find out it was his biggest hit and in the middle of the 1960s when the British new wave rock’n’roll was in vogue. I like the idea that back then good talent didn’t go out of style. The market supported all whether it was trendy or established.

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        1. Back at that time, (1963-1969) the top ten charts still reflected those singers popular before the arrival of Rock and Roll. You might find The Beatles at number one and two, Doris Day at five, Presley at six, Vic Damone at seven, then Max Bygraves at nine.. Adults still bought a lot of records, and the teenagers lapped up the Mersey Sound, and Soul Music arriving from America. At a family party, all different kinds of music would be played and enjoyed.
          Cheers, Pete.

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    1. From 1960, my Dad worked for the record company that distributed Reprise records in Britain, so often got free tickets to many famous people. In his job, he also got to go on the tours occasionally, so managed to hobnob with the stars more than once. I saw Sinatra twice in London, once with Buddy Rich, and once with a bigger orchestra. I cannot recall who that was though, as I was very young.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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