The Glory of Love (Benny Goodman song)

"The Glory of Love" is a song that was written by Billy Hill and recorded in 1936 by Benny Goodman. Goodman's version was a number one pop hit.^[3] The song has been recorded by many artists. It was the signature theme of the 1967 film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, performed by nightclub singer Jacqueline Fontaine on camera, as well as over the opening and closing credits.^[4] Bette Midler included the song in the film Beaches (1988) and it appears on the soundtrack album.

"The Glory of Love"
Single by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (Vocal Helen Ward)
B-side	"You Can't Pull the Wool Over My Eyes"[1]
Released	May 6, 1936[1]
Recorded	April 23, 1936[2]
Genre	Pop
Label	Victor 25316
Songwriter(s)	Billy Hill
Benny Goodman singles chronology
"The Glory of Love'" (1936)

Charts

Chart (1951)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Songs	1

The Five Keys version

"The Glory of Love"
Single by The Five Keys
from the album Best of The Five Keys
B-side	"Hucklebuck with Jimmy"
Released	1951
Recorded	1951
Genre	Rhythm and blues
Length	3:18
Label	Aladdin
Songwriter(s)	Billy Hill

In 1951, R&B vocal group The Five Keys had their biggest R&B hit with their version of the song, hitting number one on the R&B chart for four non-consecutive weeks.^[5][6]

Chart (1951)	Peak position
US Billboard R&B Chart	1

Otis Redding version

"The Glory of Love"
Single by Otis Redding
from the album The Dock of the Bay
B-side	"I'm Coming Home"
Released	1967
Recorded	December 1967
Genre	Soul, Pop
Length	2:38
Label	Volt S419
Songwriter(s)	Billy Hill
Producer(s)	Steve Cropper
Otis Redding singles chronology
"Shake" (1967) "The Glory of Love" (1967) "Tramp" (1967)

In 1967, Otis Redding recorded a cover version for his 1968 album The Dock of the Bay. Redding's cover became a top 20 hit and reached number 19 on the Billboard R&B Songs chart and number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[7]

Charts

Chart (1967)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[8]	60
US Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Songs[9]	19

Other versions

• Big Bill Broonzy (1957) - also used in the soundtrack of 2003 film Intolerable Cruelty
• Sanford Clark - Dot Records single (1957)
• Rosemary Clooney - My Buddy (1983)
• Billy Cotton and His Band (1936)
• Vic Damone - for his album Why Can't I Walk Away (1968)^[10]
• Jimmy Durante - for his album Hello Young Lovers (1965)
• Jacqueline Fontaine - featured prominently in the film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)^[4]
• Peggy Lee - Jump for Joy (1958)^[11]
• Dean Martin - included in the album Dean Martin Sings Songs from "The Silencers" (1966)
• John Martyn - included in the album Inside Out (1973)
• Bette Midler - included in the soundtrack of Beaches (1988)
• Paul McCartney - Kisses on the Bottom (2012)
• Tom Rush - included on his 1968 album The Circle Game (1968)
• Kay Starr - for her album Rockin' with Kay (1958).^[12]
• The Velvetones (1957) - used in the soundtrack of Casino (1995)
• Veronica Osorio and Alden Ehrenreich - used in the Coen brothers' film Hail, Caesar! (2016)
• Imelda May - used in the film Blithe Spirit (2020)
• Isabelle Fuhrman - used in the film Orphan (2009)
• The Andrews Sisters (1950)
• Keb' Mo' - used in the film One Fine Day (1996)
• John Renbourn & Wizz Jones - on album Joint Control (recorded March 2015 shortly before Renbourn died, by World Music Network) (2016)
• Nuha Jes Izman - used in the television series Yellowjackets (2021)

References

1. "Victor 25316 (Black label (popular) 10-in. double-faced) - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
2. "Victor matrix BS-100381. The glory of love / Benny Goodman Orchestra; Helen Ward - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
3. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 178. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
4. Roitz, Janet. ""The Glory Of Love" Guess Who's Coming To Dinner 1967; A look at Jacqueline Fontaine". Fabulous Film Songs. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
5. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 205.
6. Propes, Steve (1973). Those Oldies But Goodies: A Guide to 50's Record Collecting. The Macmillan Company, New York. p. 42.
7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 486.
8. "allmusic ((( Otis Redding > Awards )))". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
9. "Billboard R&B Singles Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
10. "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
11. "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
12. "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 2, 2018.