Rosemary Clooney: "Tenderly" (1952)

"Tenderly" is a popular song published in 1946 with music by Walter Gross (1909-1967) and lyrics by Jack Lawrence. Copyright 1946 by Edwin H. Morris & Company, Inc. Originally written in the key of Eb as a waltz in 3/4 time, it has since been performed in 4/4 and has subsequently become a popular jazz standard.

According to wikipedia, "Tenderly" has been recorded by many artists, but perhaps the best-known version was by Rosemary Clooney. Clooney's recorded version reached only #17 on the Billboard magazine pop charts in early 1952, but is more popular than the chart data would suggest, as is evidenced by the fact that Tenderly served as the theme song for Clooney's 1956-1957 TV variety show.

Randy Brooks, trumpeter and leader of the top rated Randy Brooks Band, may be best known for their rendition of Tenderly as a most requested song of 1947.


- Lyrics:

The evening breeze caressed the trees, tenderly
The trembling trees embraced the breeze tenderly
Then you and I came wandering by
And lost in a sigh were we
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
I can’t forget how two hearts met breathlessly
Your arms opened wide
And closed me inside
You took my lips you took my love so tenderly