Old Cape Cod
Encyclopedia
"Old Cape Cod" is a song, written by Claire Rothrock, Milton Yakus
, and Allan Jeffrey, and published in 1957
.
The recording by Patti Page
was released by Mercury Records
as catalog number
71101; flip side "Wondering
." It first reached the Billboard magazine charts
on June 3, 1957. On the Disk Jockey chart, it peaked at #3; on the Best Seller chart, at #8; on the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #7.
A sample of Patti Page's recording formed the basis of Groove Armada
's 1997 UK hit "At the River
". The lines "If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air, / Quaint little villages here and there..." sung in Page's multi-tracked close-harmony, are repeated over and over, with the addition of synthesizer
bass, slowed-down drums and a bluesy trombone
solo to produce a chill-out track.
In 1976, the song was recorded by Bette Midler
for her album "Songs for the New Depression
" (1976). The song was released as a single, where it peaked at #36 on the US Adult Contemporary Charts.
The song is featured in the 1990 film Die Hard 2: Die Harder, playing on a record player belonging to the Janitor named Marvin.
This song has also been recorded by Jerry Vale
, Michael Holliday
, The Puppini Sisters
, John Prine
, and Anne Murray
.
Bing Crosby
performed it on his CBS Radio program in 1957. The recording has been released after his death.
In 2008, Mark Weber recorded a mid-tempo version of the song for his "When I Fall In Love" album.
In 2006, the song also appeared in the Ridley Scott Movie, "A Good Year" starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard
On August 8, 2010, this song appeared on AMC's "Mad Men," Season 4, Episode 3: 'The Good News'
Milton Yakus
Milton Yakus was a popular songwriter.Among the songs he wrote or co-wrote:*"Annie Oakley"*"At the River"*"Go on with the Wedding"*"I Love Love Love Love Love"*"If You Kiss Me"*"Old Cape Cod"*"Take Me Home"*"Tell Me"...
, and Allan Jeffrey, and published in 1957
1957 in music
-Events:*January 5 – Renato Carosone and his band start their American tour in Cuba.*January 6 – Elvis Presley makes his final appearance on the The Ed Sullivan Show.*January 16 – The Cavern Club opens in Liverpool, UK....
.
The recording by Patti Page
Patti Page
Clara Ann Fowler , known by her professional name Patti Page, is an American singer, one of the best-known female artists in traditional pop music. She was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, and has sold over 100 million records...
was released by Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
as catalog number
Catalog numbering systems for single records
This article presents the numbering systems used by various record companies for single records.- Capitol :...
71101; flip side "Wondering
Wondering (Patti Page song)
"Wondering" is a popular song.The recording by Patti Page was written by Jack Schafer and released by Mercury Records as catalog number 71101. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on June 3, 1957. On the Disk Jockey chart, it peaked at #12; on the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it...
." It first reached the Billboard magazine charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
on June 3, 1957. On the Disk Jockey chart, it peaked at #3; on the Best Seller chart, at #8; on the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #7.
A sample of Patti Page's recording formed the basis of Groove Armada
Groove Armada
Groove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
's 1997 UK hit "At the River
At the River
"At the River" is a song by English electronica duo Groove Armada. It was released as a single in 1997 on 7" vinyl, limited to 500 copies. The song was later added to the track listing of their second album, Vertigo, released in April 1999. On 26 July 1999, the single was re-released on 12" and CD...
". The lines "If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air, / Quaint little villages here and there..." sung in Page's multi-tracked close-harmony, are repeated over and over, with the addition of synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
bass, slowed-down drums and a bluesy trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
solo to produce a chill-out track.
In 1976, the song was recorded by Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
for her album "Songs for the New Depression
Songs for the New Depression
Songs for the New Depression is the third studio album by American female vocalist Bette Midler, released in early 1976 on the Atlantic Records label. The album which saw Midler making her debut as a composer Songs for the New Depression is the third studio album by American female vocalist Bette...
" (1976). The song was released as a single, where it peaked at #36 on the US Adult Contemporary Charts.
The song is featured in the 1990 film Die Hard 2: Die Harder, playing on a record player belonging to the Janitor named Marvin.
This song has also been recorded by Jerry Vale
Jerry Vale
Jerry Vale is an American singer.-Career:In high school, in order to make some money, he took a job shining shoes in a barbershop in New York City. He sang while he shined shoes, and his boss liked the sound so well that he paid for music lessons for the boy...
, Michael Holliday
Michael Holliday
Norman Alexander Milne, known professionally as Michael Holliday was a British crooner popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s....
, The Puppini Sisters
The Puppini Sisters
The Puppini Sisters are a vocal trio. Arion Berger described them as part of "Retro's futuristic vanguard" and described their sound as "swing-punk". The group has sought to be associated with a burlesque revival....
, John Prine
John Prine
John Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
, and Anne Murray
Anne Murray
Morna Anne Murray CC, ONS is a Canadian singer in pop, country and adult contemporary styles whose albums have sold over 54 million copies....
.
Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
performed it on his CBS Radio program in 1957. The recording has been released after his death.
In 2008, Mark Weber recorded a mid-tempo version of the song for his "When I Fall In Love" album.
In 2006, the song also appeared in the Ridley Scott Movie, "A Good Year" starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard
On August 8, 2010, this song appeared on AMC's "Mad Men," Season 4, Episode 3: 'The Good News'