This article is about the song written by Ivory "Deek" Watson and William "Pat" Best. For the similarly titled song by Abner Silver, see
For Sentimental Reasons (1936 song).
"(I Love You) for Sentimental Reasons" is a
popular song written by Ivory "Deek" Watson, founding member of
the Ink Spots and of
the Brown Dots, and William "Pat" Best, founding member of
the Four Tunes.
The credits and Leeds Publishing Company list Watson as a co-writer. Best later claimed that Watson had nothing to do with the creation of the song,[1] but Watson maintained in his late 1960s autobiography[2] that he and Best wrote the song together, lyrics and music respectively. Best was a member of Watson's group,
the Brown Dots. The song was published in 1945 and released by Watson's quartet with Joe King as lead vocalist on the Manor Records label (catalog No. 1041A).[3]
Hit versions
The biggest-selling version by
The King Cole Trio was released by
Capitol Records as catalog number 304. It first reached the
Billboard Best Seller chart on November 22, 1946 and lasted 12 weeks on the chart, peaking at number one.[4]
The recording by
Eddy Howard was released by
Majestic Records as catalog number 1071A. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on January 10, 1947, and lasted five weeks on the chart, peaking at number six.[4]
The recording by
Dinah Shore was released by
Columbia Records as catalog number 37188. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on January 10, 1947, and lasted four weeks on the chart, peaking at number six.[4]
The recording by
Charlie Spivak (vocal by Jimmy Saunders) was released by
RCA Victor as catalog number 20-1981. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on January 10, 1947, and lasted 14 weeks on the chart, peaking at number seven.[4]