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"Catch a Falling Star"
Single by Perry Como
B-side" Magic Moments"
ReleasedDecember 3, 1957
RecordedOctober 9, 1957
Genre Pop [1]
Length2:23
Label RCA Victor
Songwriter(s) Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss
Producer(s)Joe Reisman
Perry Como singles chronology
" Jingle Bells"
(1957)
"Catch a Falling Star"
(1957)
" Magic Moments"
(1957)

"Catch a Falling Star" is a song written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It is best known and was made famous by Perry Como's hit version, recorded and released in late 1957. [2]

Background and chart performance

The song's melody is based on a theme from Brahms' Academic Festival Overture. Perry Como's version features the Ray Charles Singers, who sing the refrain as a repeated round. [2]

It was Como's last number one hit in the United States, [3] reaching number 1 on the Billboard "Most Played by Jockeys" chart, but not in the overall top 100, where it reached number 3. [4] It was the first single to receive a Recording Industry Association of America gold record certification, on March 14, 1958. [5] In Canada, the song reached number 12 on the CHUM Charts, February 3, 1958, co-charting with Magic Moments. [6]

Overseas, in 1958, the song also topped the Australian charts. In the UK Singles Chart, "Catch a Falling Star" peaked at number nine, whereas its B-side " Magic Moments" topped the charts. [7]

Accolades

The single won Como the 1959 Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance, Male.

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States ( RIAA) [8] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Pitzonka, Bill (2001). "The Cuff Links and Street People". In Cooper, Kim; Smay, David (eds.). Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth. Los Angeles: Feral House. pp. 61–62.
  2. ^ a b "Perry Como - Catch A Falling Star". 45cat.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Perry Como Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 187.
  5. ^ "History Of The Awards". RIAA.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  6. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - February 3, 1958". Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Perry Como". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "American single certifications – Perry Como – Catch a Falling Star". Recording Industry Association of America.