Wanted (Perry Como song)

"Wanted"
Single by Perry Como
B-side	"Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain)"
Released	January 1954 [1]
Recorded	1953 Manhattan Center, New York City
Length	3:05
Label	RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)	Jack Fulton Lois Steele
Perry Como singles chronology
"You Alone (Solo Tu)" (1953) "Wanted" (1954) "Idle Gossip" (1954)

"Wanted" is a popular song written by Jack Fulton and Lois Steele. A recording by Perry Como was the most popular version, reaching No. 1 in the US. Al Martino also recorded a version which reached No. 4 in the UK. ^[2]

Background

Perry Como recorded a version on December 29, 1953. This song was accompanied by Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra and chorus, and it was recorded at Manhattan Center, New York City. ^[3] It was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-5647 (in US) ^[4] and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10691. ^[5] The flip side of the US version was "Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain)". ^[6] Como's version of "Wanted" reached No. 1 on Billboard's chart in 1954. ^[7] It was the most played song on radio as well as on jukebox in the US in 1954, and the second best-selling song of the year. ^[8]

Charts

Chart (1954)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC) [9]	4
US Best Sellers in Stores (Billboard) [10]	1
US Cash Box [11]	1

Other recordings

• Al Martino had a top 10 hit with the song in the United Kingdom. ^[12]
• An early recorded version is by singer-pianist Moon Mullican.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Anne Murray recorded the song for her album Croonin' (1993).

Popular culture

• The song was featured in a Christmas episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati", in a flashback to 12/24/54.

References

1. "Wanted / Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain - RCA Victor - USA". 45cat.com. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
2. "Al Martino". The Official Charts Company.
3. "Perry Como Discography". Kokomo.ca. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
4. "RCA Victor 20-5500 - 20-6000 78rpm numerical listing discography". 78discography.com. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
5. "45worlds.com". 45worlds.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
6. "This Week Best Buy". Billboard. February 8, 1954. p. 30.
7. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954 . Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p.  100. ISBN   0-89820-083-0.
8. "1954's Top Popular Records". Billboard. December 25, 1954. p. 17.
9. "Perry Como: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
10. "The Billboard Popularity Chart > Best Sellers in Stores". Billboard. April 24, 1954. p. 38.
11. "The Cash Box Best-Selling Singles: Week ending April 17, 1954". Tropicalglen.com.
12. Roberts, David (2005). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records. p. 325. ISBN   1-904994-00-8.