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"Beyond the Sea" is the English-language version of the French song "La Mer" by Charles Trenet, popularized by Bobby Darin in 1959. While the French original was an ode to the sea, Jack Lawrence – who composed the English lyrics – turned it into a love song.[1]
| "La Mer" | |
|---|---|
 Cover of musical score published in France in 1946 | |
| Song by Charles Trenet | |
| Published | 1946 by Les Editions Raoul Breton |
| Composer(s) | Charles Trenet, Albert Lasry |
| Audio | |
| "Beyond the Sea" on YouTube | |
Versions
edit| "Beyond the Sea" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Bobby Darin | ||||
| from the album That's All | ||||
| B-side | "That's the Way Love Is" | |||
| Released | October 1959 | |||
| Recorded | August 24, 1958 | |||
| Genre | Big band, pop, swing | |||
| Length | 2:48 | |||
| Label | Atco 6158 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jack Lawrence/Charles Trenet | |||
| Bobby Darin singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio | ||||
| "Beyond the Sea" on YouTube | ||||
"Beyond the Sea" has been recorded by many artists, but Bobby Darin's version released in late 1959 is the best known, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 15 on the US R&B Chart, No. 7 in Canada (co-charted with "That's The Way Love Is"),[2] and No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart[3] in early 1960.
Before Bobby Darin's version, two instrumental recordings reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Benny Goodman's version charted in 1948, and was featured in the Cary Grant/Betsy Drake romantic comedy Every Girl Should Be Married. Roger Williams' recording reached No. 37 in 1955.[4]
The first recording of "Beyond the Sea" was by Harry James and His Orchestra on December 22, 1947, and the first recording of "La Mer" was by French musician Charles Trenet in December 1945.
American R&B singer George Benson recorded an R&B version of the song under the title "Beyond the Sea (La Mer)". It was released on Warner Bros. This version entered the UK Singles Chart on 20 April 1985. It peaked at No. 60 and remained on the chart for three weeks.[5] Robbie Williams recorded the song for his album Swing When You're Winning, which was used in the closing credits of the film Finding Nemo.[6]
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[7] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Schudel, Matt (March 18, 2009). - "Composer Jack Lawrence dies at 96: Composer's Hits Helped Singers Such as Sinatra". - The Washington Post.
- ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - February 29, 1960".
- ^ "Beyond the Sea (La Mer) (song by Bobby Darin) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
- ^ "Beyond the Sea (La Mer) (song by Roger Williams) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
- ^ Rice, Tim; Rice, Jonathan; Gambaccini, Paul (1990), Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, Enfield, Middlesex, United Kingdom: Guinness World Records and Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-398-8
- ^ Davies, Dave (June 17, 2016). "Producer Nick Venet Recalls The Story Behind Bobby Darin's 'Beyond The Sea'". Npr.org. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ "British single certifications – Bobby Darin – Beyond the Sea". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
External links
edit- "Beyond The Sea". - Jack Lawrence Website.
- Official Bobby Darin fansite
- Second Hand Songs: La Mer / Beyond the Sea page