Halfway to Paradise

Last updated
"Halfway to Paradise"
Billy Fury Halfway to Paradise.jpg
Single by Billy Fury
from the album Halfway to Paradise
B-side "Cross My Heart"
Released28 April 1961 [1]
Recorded9 April 1961 [2]
Studio Decca Studios, London
Genre Pop
Length2:24
Label Decca
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Billy Fury singles chronology
"Don't Worry"
(1961)
"Halfway to Paradise"
(1961)
"Jealousy"
(1961)

"Halfway to Paradise" is a popular song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin. In the United States, the song was originally recorded in 1961 by Tony Orlando where it peaked at No. 39 on the Hot 100. [3] In Canada, the song reached No. 3 in the CHUM Charts. [4] The song reached no. 8 on the New Zealand lever hit parade charts [5]

Contents

Billy Fury version

"Halfway to Paradise" was recorded by Billy Fury with Fury's version reaching No.3 on the British singles chart in 1961 [6] and remaining on the chart for 23 weeks. It became the tenth best-selling single of 1961 in the UK . [7] "Halfway to Paradise" became known as Fury's signature tune and was one of his most popular singles.

Fury's single was a big production for both Fury and Decca and involved a whole orchestra, conducted by Ivor Raymonde. [8] Its success made Fury known for his big ballad numbers, although he began in rock and roll and was always thought of more as a rock musician. The song also marked the beginning of Fury's burst at the top of the charts that would only begin to slow down on the arrival of fellow Liverpudlian act, the Beatles.

Later versions

References

  1. "Billy Fury gets 208 series" (PDF). Disc . 29 April 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  2. "Halfway To Paradise". www.nic.fi. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 632.
  4. "CHUM Hit Parade - June 5, 1961".
  5. "Flavour of new zealand - Lever hit parades". Archived from the original on 8 February 2021.
  6. "The Official Charts Company - Billy Fury - Halfway To Paradise". Official Charts . Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  7. "The 100 Best-Selling Singles of 1961" . Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  8. "Billy Fury - Halfway To Paradise (7") at Discogs". Discogs . 1961. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  9. Spectropop - Spectropop presents BARBARA RUSKIN, An Illustrated U.K. Discography
  10. Cash Box, May 15, 1965 - Cash Box RECORD REVIEWS, Best Bets, BARBARA RUSKIN
  11. Spectropop - Spectropop presents BARBARA RUSKIN, An Illustrated U.K. Discography
  12. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 250.
  13. "RPM Top 100 Singles - August 26, 1968" (PDF).