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"The Story of My Life" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was published in 1957. It was recorded by Marty Robbins and reached number one on Billboard's country chart in 1958, and it became a number one hit song for Michael Holliday in the UK.

Background

"The Story of My Life" was the first successful collaboration between Hal David and Burt Bacharach. Although they did not set out to write a country song, their song was recorded by American country music singer Marty Robbins. Robbins was accompanied in the recording by the whistling of the Ray Conniff Singers and a small-scale guitar. The song was released in November 1957 and peaked at number one on two US country charts (C&W Best Sellers in Stores and Most Played C&W by Jockeys), staying for four weeks on Best Sellers in early 1958. It also crossed over to the pop chart, reaching number fifteen. It reached number two on the Australian Singles Chart.

Charts

Michael Holliday version

In the United Kingdom, Michael Holliday recorded a cover version on 10 December 1957 at the Abbey Road Studio. Holliday was backed by the Mike Sammes Singers, with Sammes singing the deep-voiced "bom-boms". The sound engineer created an echo effect with a second tape head, producing a fuller sound for Holliday's voice. Although Holliday was dissatisfied with the record, it became his first No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1958. The song was replaced as No. 1 by Perry Como's "Magic Moments", also written by Bacharach and David, the first time any songwriters had consecutive No. 1s on the British chart.

In addition to Michael Holliday's No. 1 single (Columbia 45-DB-4058), three other versions of "The Story of My Life" were released in the UK around the same time in 1958: Gary Miller recorded a version that reached No. 14 in the UK; a version by Alma Cogan reached No. 25; and a single by Dave King reached No. 20.

Other versions

• A pop-rock version by Herman's Hermits was included on the US compilation LP The Best Of Herman's Hermits – Volume II, released in 1966.
• Connie Francis recorded the song in 1968 for possible inclusion in her album Connie Francis Sings Bacharach & David, but it was omitted. The track was later released in 1979 on the album titled Connie Francis – Sings Bacharach, Kaempfert, Last & Mancini.
• Larry Cunningham recorded a version which reached No. 16 on the Irish chart in 1983.
• Irish singer Val Doonican also recorded the song, which became his signature theme. He titled his 2009 autobiography "My Story, My Life", in reference to the song title.

References

1. Praguefrank
2. ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 24 - The Music Men. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
3. Whorf, Michael (2014). American Popular Song Lyricists: Oral Histories, 1920s-1960s. McFarland. p. 61. ISBN 9780786490615.
4. ^ David, Eunice (2016). Hal David: His Magic Moments : There is Always Something There to Remind Me. Dorrance Publishing Company. p. 13. ISBN 9781480931008.
5. Dominic, Serene (2003). Burt Bacharach: Song By Song. Music Sales. ISBN 9780857122599.
6. ^ "C&W Best Sellers in Store". Billboard. January 20, 1958. p. 78.
7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 293.
8. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 532.
9. "CHUM Hit Parade, week of December 9, 1957".
10. "Most Played by Jockeys". Billboard. January 13, 1958. p. 60.
11. ^ Kutner, Jon; Leigh, Spencer (2010). 1,000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857123602.
12. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 81. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
13. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 35–6. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
14. "Gary Miller". The Official Charts Company.
15. "Alma Cogan". The Official Charts Company.
16. Roberts, David (2005). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records. p. 626. ISBN 1-904994-00-8.
17. "Larry Cunningham". The Irish Charts.

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• 1957 singles
• 1958 singles
• Marty Robbins songs
• Connie Francis songs
• Don Williams songs
• Songs with lyrics by Hal David
• Songs with music by Burt Bacharach
• UK singles chart number-one singles
• 1957 songs
• Columbia Records singles
• 1950s country song stubs