Surrender (Perry Como song)

"Surrender" is a 1946 song co-written by Bennie Benjamin and George David Weiss. It was originally performed by Perry Como and covered by various artists including Woody Herman, George Olsen, and Bob Chester. Como's version of "Surrender" peaked at number one on the Billboard Best Selling Popular Retail Records chart and sold over a million copies.

"Surrender"
Single by Perry Como
B-side"They Say It's Wonderful"
RecordedApril 2, 1946
StudioRCA Studio B
LabelVictor
Songwriter(s)Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss

Background

The lyrics of "Surrender" are thought to be inspired by the surrender of Japan and Germany in World War II and the connections between surrendering in love and war.[1]

Perry Como version

On April 2, 1946, Perry Como recorded "Surrender" with Russ Case and his Orchestra.[2] After the song was released in June 1946,[3] Billboard called Como's version of "Surrender" a "slow dreamy arrangement" [3] and praised the performance by Russ Cass's orchestra.[4] Como's recording of "Surrender" went to sell over a million copies.[5]

Chart performance

Como's version of "Surrender" peaked at #2 on the Most Played Juke Box Records chart on July 20, 1946.[6] A few weeks later on August 3, 1946, "Surrender" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Best Selling Popular Retail Records[7] and #2 on the Records Most Played on the Air chart.[8] Outside of Billboard, Como's rendition of "Surrender" peaked at number 2 on Your Hit Parade.[1]

Woody Herman version

In June 1946, Woody Herman released a cover of "Surrender" with the Blue Flames. Billboard said Herman's rendition of "Surrender" with the Blue Flames had an enjoyable saxophone performance and did "full justice to the ballad plait".[9]

Chart performance

From July to October 1946, Herman's version peaked at #8 on Billboard's Records Most Played on the Air[10] and #12 on Most Played Jukebox Records charts.[11]

Other versions

Throughout 1946, multiple versions of "Surrender" were released. Billboard said that Phil Brito's cover was apt for his vocals[12] while Tony Pastor's version was "pure corn".[13]

Other recorded versions of "Surrender" include:[14]

  • Randy Brooks - Decca 18897
  • Bob Chester Orchestra - Sonora 3011
  • Al Donahue and his Orchestra - 4-Star 1120
  • Shep Fields Orchestra - Vogue R-765
  • George Olsen - Majestic 7186
  • Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters - ARA-150
  • Deek Watson and His Brown Dots - Manor 1026

See also

References
  1. Tyler, Don (2 April 2007). Hit Songs, 1900-1955: American Popular Music of the Pre-Rock Era. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 293. ISBN 9780786429462. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  2. Macfarlane, Malcolm; Crossland, Ken (2009). Perry Como: A Biography and Complete Career Record. McFarland & Company. pp. 177–178. ISBN 9780786471669. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  3. "Advance Record Data and Possibilities". Billboard. 15 June 1946. p. 31. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  4. "Reviews of New Records". Billboard. 15 June 1946. p. 32. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  5. Lane, Bill (May 1947). "Meet Bennie Benjamin: Songwriter". The Crisis. Vol. 54. p. 146. ISSN 1559-1573. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  6. "Most Played Juke Box Records". Billboard. 20 July 1946. p. 29. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  7. "Retail Sales and Juke Box Plays". Billboard. 3 August 1946. p. 28. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  8. "Records Most Played on the Air". Billboard. 3 August 1946. p. 27. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  9. "Reviews of New Records". Billboard. 8 June 1946. p. 32. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  10. "Records Most Played on Air". Billboard. 27 Jul 1946. p. 27. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  11. "Most Played Juke Box Records". Billboard. 12 October 1946. p. 28. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  12. "Advance Record Data and Record Possibilities". Billboard. 6 July 1946. p. 33. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  13. "Record Review". Billboard. 20 July 1946. p. 114. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  14. "Honor Roll of Hits". Billboard. 21 September 1946. p. 20. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
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