- Feb 20, 2006
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This is one of those songs that I grew up with, that, strangely, I recently forgot how it went. It's been recorded by literally hundreds of artists. It's basically a pop standard from the 1920's.
In 1989 Van Morrison wrote a new song with the same title. Fine enough. I bought the album, along with half a dozen other people at the time. I thought it was an interesting contemporary song using the same title as the hugely popular one. I thought, I'll probably forget it in about 5 minutes anyway so who care? Not me that's for sure! Then I went back to eating my cereal or whatever I was doing at the time. (Actually, I probably wasn't eating cereal at the time because I don't eat it. And it wasn't just a "single moment" thing either, like I described.)
Suddenly, a couple of years later, Rod Stewart came along with his big voice and *covers* the Van Morrison new song. It becomes a hit. Now I am likely to hear either version (Morrison or Stewart) at any moment. Whether on the radio or on a movie soundtrack. (Morrison became a lot more popular in the 90's).
It wasn't long before I completely forgot the melody (and words) of the original. The song ingrained on my brain and the brain of everyone else who grew up in the USA anytime after 1930 or so. Seriously, that's how popular it was.
Strangely, people stopped playing (and singing) the old song. Maybe because they liked the new one better. I have no idea. I actually had to listen to several versions on youtube until I found one that sounded familiar. I've never *forgotten* a song like this before. It's like forgetting "Amazing Grace" or a famous Christmas carol or something.
YouTube - Michael Holliday - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?
YouTube - Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart - Lyrics
In 1989 Van Morrison wrote a new song with the same title. Fine enough. I bought the album, along with half a dozen other people at the time. I thought it was an interesting contemporary song using the same title as the hugely popular one. I thought, I'll probably forget it in about 5 minutes anyway so who care? Not me that's for sure! Then I went back to eating my cereal or whatever I was doing at the time. (Actually, I probably wasn't eating cereal at the time because I don't eat it. And it wasn't just a "single moment" thing either, like I described.)
Suddenly, a couple of years later, Rod Stewart came along with his big voice and *covers* the Van Morrison new song. It becomes a hit. Now I am likely to hear either version (Morrison or Stewart) at any moment. Whether on the radio or on a movie soundtrack. (Morrison became a lot more popular in the 90's).
It wasn't long before I completely forgot the melody (and words) of the original. The song ingrained on my brain and the brain of everyone else who grew up in the USA anytime after 1930 or so. Seriously, that's how popular it was.
Strangely, people stopped playing (and singing) the old song. Maybe because they liked the new one better. I have no idea. I actually had to listen to several versions on youtube until I found one that sounded familiar. I've never *forgotten* a song like this before. It's like forgetting "Amazing Grace" or a famous Christmas carol or something.
YouTube - Michael Holliday - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?
YouTube - Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart - Lyrics
