“Till There Was You” is a song that has left an indelible mark on music history, standing out for both its charming melody and memorable performances. Originally written by Meredith Willson for the Broadway musical The Music Man in 1957, the song has been covered by various artists, with perhaps the most famous version being by The Beatles.
Origins and Composition
The song was first performed by Barbara Cook in The Music Man, quickly becoming one of the musical’s standout moments. Willson’s smooth melody and romantic lyrics capture the essence of a newly discovered love. The song describes how love transforms one’s perception of the world, using natural metaphors like “bells in the trees” and “roses in the sky.”
The Beatles’ Version
The Beatles included “Till There Was You” on their second British album, With The Beatles, released in 1963. The band also performed it at the famous Royal Variety Performance concert in the same year, which helped to cement its popularity. The Beatles’ choice to cover this song demonstrated their musical versatility and their ability to perform soft ballads with the same mastery as their rock and roll songs.
Paul McCartney’s performance is particularly noteworthy. His soft and emotive voice perfectly matches the romantic tone of the song. George Harrison’s acoustic guitar, influenced by flamenco music, adds a layer of sophistication to the melody. This version stands out for its minimalist yet elegant arrangement, allowing the beauty of the original song to shine.
Artistas que han versionado “Till There Was You”
- Meredith Willson: The original composer included the song in his musical “The Music Man” (1957), where it was performed by Barbara Cook in the original Broadway production.
- Peggy Lee: The famous jazz and pop singer released her version of “Till There Was You” in 1957.
- The Beatles: They included the song on their album “With The Beatles” (1963) and performed it at various concerts.
- Anita Bryant: Recorded a version in 1959 that also achieved success.
- Chet Atkins: Performed an instrumental version on his album “Chet Atkins in Hollywood” (1959).
- Sophie Milman: Included a version on her album “In the Moonlight” (2011).
- Rod Stewart: Included the song on his album “Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV” (2005).
- Emmy Rossum: Performed the song on her album “Sentimental Journey” (2013).
- Alison Krauss: Has performed the song at several of her concerts.
- Michael Bublé: Has performed the song at several of her concerts.
- Sergio Mella: Pianist Sergio Mella included his instrumental piano version of “Till There Was You” on his album “Instrumental Piano Ballads, Romantic Covers” (2021), offering a Bossa Nova style interpretation that highlights the melodic beauty of the composition.