The Twelfth of Never

Last updated
"The Twelfth of Never"
Chances Are (1957 Johnny Mathis single) US cover.jpg
US 7-inch single picture sleeve
Single by Johnny Mathis
from the album Johnny's Greatest Hits
A-side "Chances Are"
Released12 August 1957
Studio Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York City
Genre Pop
Length2:25
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Jerry Livingston, Paul Francis Webster
Johnny Mathis singles chronology
"It's Not for Me to Say"
(1957)
"The Twelfth of Never"
(1957)
"Wild Is the Wind"
(1957)
"The Twelfth of Never"
Single by Cliff Richard
B-side "I'm Afraid to Go Home"
Released2 October 1964
Recorded23 June 1964 (1964-06-23)
Studio Abbey Road
Genre Pop
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Jerry Livingston, Paul Francis Webster
Producer(s) Norrie Paramor
Cliff Richard singles chronology
"On the Beach"
(1964)
"The Twelfth of Never"
(1964)
"I Could Easily Fall (In Love with You)"
(1964)
"The Twelfth of Never"
The-Twelfth-of-Never-Donny-Osmond.jpg
Single by Donny Osmond
from the album Alone Together
B-side "Life Is Just What You Make It"
ReleasedFebruary 24, 1973
RecordedNovember 27, 1972
Genre Pop
Length2:40
Label MGM Records 14503
Songwriter(s) Jerry Livingston, Paul Francis Webster
Donny Osmond singles chronology
"Why" / "Lonely Boy"
(1972)
"The Twelfth of Never"
(1973)
"Young Love" / "A Million to One"
(1973)

"The Twelfth of Never" is a popular song written in 1956 and first recorded by Johnny Mathis the following year. The title is a popular expression, which is used as the date of a future occurrence that will never come to pass. [1] In the case of the song, "the 12th of Never" is given as the date on which the singer will stop loving his beloved, thus indicating that he will always love him or her.

Contents

Mathis initially disliked the song, which was released as the flip side to his number 1 hit single "Chances Are". [2]

It was written by Jerry Livingston and Paul Francis Webster, the tune (except for the bridge) being adapted from "The Riddle Song" (also known as "I Gave My Love a Cherry"), an old English folk song. Mathis's original version reached number 9 on what is now called the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA in 1957. [3] A version by Cliff Richard was released in 1964 and reached number 8 in the UK. [4] Donny Osmond's version, produced by Mike Curb and Don Costa, was his second number 1 single in the UK, spending a single week at the top of the UK Singles Chart in March 1973. [5] In the U.S. it peaked at number 8. [6]

Chart performance

Johnny Mathis original

Chart (1957–58)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [7] 9
Australia (Sydney, Australia) [8] 2

Cliff Richard version

Chart (1964–65)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [9] 8
Australia (Kent Music Report) [10] 6
Hong Kong [11] 5
Ireland (IRMA) [12] [13] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [14] 13
Malaysia [15] 3
Norway (VG-lista) [16] 9

Donny Osmond version

Chart (1973)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [17] 8
Australia (Kent Music Report) [10] [18] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [19] 14
Denmark (Tracklisten) [20] 15
Germany (Media Control) [21] 29
Malaysia [22] 8
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [23] 12
New Zealand ( Listener ) [24] 5
Singapore [25] 2
UK Singles (OCC) [26] 1

Certifications

Donny Osmond version
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [27] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notable cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You Lonesome Tonight?</span> Song written and composed by Lou Handman and Roy Turk; first recorded by Charles Hart

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" is a song written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926. It was recorded several times in 1927—first by Charles Hart, with successful versions by Vaughn De Leath, Henry Burr, and the duet of Jerry Macy and John Ryan. In 1950, the Blue Barron Orchestra version reached the top twenty on the Billboard's Pop Singles chart.

"Blue Turns to Grey" is a song that was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The song first appeared in February 1965 when both Dick and Dee Dee and The Mighty Avengers released versions of it as singles. Another version was released shortly thereafter by Tracey Dey on Amy Records. On Dey's single, the label credits the song to "K. Richard-A. Oldham"—Oldham being the surname of the Rolling Stones' then-manager/producer Andrew Loog Oldham. It was released by The Rolling Stones on their 1965 US-only album December's Children later that year. On this album, "Blue Turns to Grey" as well as "The Singer Not the Song" features Brian Jones on a 12-string electric guitar and Keith on a 6-string. It did not see a UK release until the 1971 compilation album Stone Age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Next Time</span> 1962 single by Cliff Richard, The Shadows and the Norrie Paramor Strings

"The Next Time" backed with "Bachelor Boy" was the first of three number one hit singles from the Cliff Richard musical, Summer Holiday. Both sides were marketed as songs with chart potential, and the release is viewed retroactively as a double A-side single. However, technically double A-sides were not regarded as such until 1965, so "The Next Time" was pressed as the A-side, with "Bachelor Boy" the B-side. The song was succeeded at number one by The Shadows' "Dance On!".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Young Ones (song)</span> 1962 single by Cliff Richard and the Shadows

"The Young Ones" is a single by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. The song, written by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett, is the title song to the 1961 film The Young Ones and its soundtrack album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Holiday (song)</span> 1963 Cliff Richard song

"Summer Holiday" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard and the Shadows, written by rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch and drummer Brian Bennett. It is taken from the film of the same name, and was released as the second single from the film in February 1963. It went to number one in the UK Singles Chart for a total of two weeks. After that, the Shadows' instrumental "Foot Tapper"—also from the same film—took over the top spot for one week, before "Summer Holiday" returned to the top spot for one further week. The track is one of Richard's best known titles and it remains a staple of his live shows. It was one of six hits Richard performed at his spontaneous gig at the 1996 Wimbledon Championships when rain stopped the tennis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Don't Tease</span> 1960 single by Cliff Richard and the Shadows

"Please Don't Tease" is a 1960 song recorded by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. Recorded in March and released as a single in June, the song became their third No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart spending three weeks at the summit. The song was written by the Shadows' rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch together with Pete Chester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power to All Our Friends</span> 1973 single by Cliff Richard

"Power to All Our Friends" is a song by Cliff Richard which was chosen as the British entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1973, by a postal vote which was decided by BBC viewers after Richard performed six contending songs on A Song For Europe, featured on Cilla Black's BBC1 Saturday evening show Cilla. The runner-up song was "Come Back Billie Jo", written by Mitch Murray and Tony Macaulay, which was included as the B-side on the single. "Power to All Our Friends" came third in the Eurovision Song Contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Minute You're Gone</span> 1965 single by Cliff Richard

"The Minute You're Gone" is a song written by Jimmy Gateley, a Nashville, Tennessee based fiddle player and singer, for Sonny James in 1963. This song originally made No. 95 in the US charts and No. 9 in the country charts for Sonny James in 1963.

<i>Make Way for Willie Nelson</i> 1967 studio album by Willie Nelson

Make Way for Willie Nelson is the fifth studio album by country singer Willie Nelson.

"I'm Looking out the Window" is a ballad written by Don Raye and John Jacob Niles. Peggy Lee first recorded the song as a B-side for her 1959 single "Hallelujah, I Love Him So". The song is best known as a hit record for Cliff Richard in 1962 in numerous countries, although not in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here We Go Again (Ray Charles song)</span> 1967 song by Ray Charles

"Here We Go Again" is a country music standard written by Don Lanier and Red Steagall that first became notable as a rhythm and blues single by Ray Charles from his 1967 album Ray Charles Invites You to Listen. It was produced by Joe Adams for ABC Records/Tangerine Records. To date, this version of the song has been the biggest commercial success, spending twelve consecutive weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 15.

"L'Edera" is an Italian language song, written by Saverio Seracini and Vincenzo D'Acquisto. The song premiered at the 8th Sanremo Music Festival in January 1958, being performed first by Nilla Pizzi and then Tonina Torrielli, with separate performances, and placing second in the competition, behind "Nel blu dipinto di blu" by Domenico Modugno and Johnny Dorelli. "L'Edera" was later recorded by several Italian artists, including Claudio Villa.

"It'll Be Me" is a song written by Jack Clement, first released in April 1957 by Jerry Lee Lewis, as B-side to his single "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wired for Sound (song)</span> 1981 single by Cliff Richard

"Wired for Sound" is a song recorded by English singer Cliff Richard, released in 1981 as the lead single for his album of the same name. The song reached number 4 in the UK Singles Chart and was certified silver by the BPI for sales over 250,000. The song reached number 2 in Australia and South Africa, and was a hit in a number of European countries. The song was written by Alan Tarney and B.A. Robertson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On the Beach (Cliff Richard song)</span> 1964 single by Cliff Richard and the Shadows

"On the Beach" is a 1964 hit song by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. It was taken from and released in the lead up to the release of the film Wonderful Life and its soundtrack. It become an international hit for Richard, reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart and charting in Australia (No. 4), Ireland (No. 6), Norway (No. 4), South Africa (No. 2) and Sweden (No. 12).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fool (Elvis Presley song)</span> 1973 single by Elvis Presley

"Fool" is a 1973 song by Elvis Presley. It was adapted by songwriter Carl Sigman from a composition by James Last, titled "No Words". It was released as a single with the flipside track "Steamroller Blues". and then on the 1973 album Elvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velvet Mornings</span> 1973 single by Demis Roussos

"Velvet Mornings" is a song by Greek singer Demis Roussos. It was released as a single in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makin' Love</span> 1959 single by Floyd Robinson

"Makin' Love" is a song written and originally released by American country singer Floyd Robinson. He released it as a single in 1959 and was featured on his self-titled debut album the following year.

"The Mosquito" is a song by American rock band the Doors from their 1972 album Full Circle. In the same year it was released as a single. Billboard called it an "unusual off beat disc" with a "clever Latin beat". Record World called it an "infectious ditty with calypso feel." The vocal is by Robby Krieger.

"Taka takata" is a song originally recorded by Paco Paco, a Spanish singer living in Málaga - Spain. The song was released as a single in 1972 and was a hit in Europe.

References

Notes
  1. Obert 2015, p. 44.
  2. Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 23 - Smack Dab in the Middle on Route 66. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles . University of North Texas Libraries.
  3. Johnny Mathis chart positions at AllMusic . Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  4. "Cliff Richard's UK positions". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  5. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 284. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  6. Donny Osmond chart positions at AllMusic . Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  7. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Johnny Mathis Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  8. Barnes, Jim; Dyer, Fred; Scanes, Stephen (1986). The Book Top 40 Research 1986-1987 Second Edition-Update. Top 40 Research Services, Seven Hills, N.S.W.
  9. "Cliff Richard: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  10. 1 2 Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-44439-5.
  11. Billboard (21 November 1964). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 38. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  12. Billboard (28 November 1964). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 16. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  13. The Official Charts in Ireland began on October 4, 1962. Chart positions before that are taken from the Evening Herald Chart which was a Top Ten single chart published by the Irish daily newspaper Evening Herald between February 1959 and December 1962. "Ireland singles charts". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
  14. (nl) van Slooten, Johan (2005). Top 40 Hitdossier 1965-2005 (inclusief alle 'prehistorische' hits van 1956 to 1965) (in Dutch) (9th ed.). Haarlem: J.H. Gottmer / H.J.W. Becht BV. ISBN   90-230-1144-9.
  15. Billboard (6 March 1965). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 22. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  16. "Cliff Richard – The Twelfth of Never". VG-lista.
  17. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Donny Osmond Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  18. Billboard (30 June 1973). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp.  57. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  19. "Donny Osmond – The Twelfth of Never" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  20. "Denmark singles chart - The Twelfth of Never". danskehitlister.dk. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
  21. "Donny Osmond German singles at charts.de". Media Control . Charts.de. Retrieved 2014-06-17.[ dead link ]
  22. Billboard (2 June 1973). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp.  69. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  23. "Donny Osmond – The Twelfth of Never" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  24. "Flavour of New Zealand, 9 July 1973". Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  25. Billboard (16 June 1973). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 83. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  26. "Donny Osmond: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  27. "American single certifications – Donny Osmond – Twelfth of Never". Recording Industry Association of America.
Works cited