One of the most popular female solo performers of the 1960's was Petula Clark from the UK. Her biggest smash was Downtown, but she had a string of hits including several that made #1 or the Top 10 in the USA and Canada.
The song I am writing about today went to #1 in Ireland and Australia, and it got all the way to #3 here in the USA. Needless to say, that is a big hit. The most interesting thing about this April 1967 hit is the origin of the lyrics.
Charlie Chaplin, yes the legendary American actor of early movies, was a neighbor of Pet Clark---they each had homes in Switzerland. Chaplin had put together a theme song for a movie--- "A Countess from Hong Kong." He wanted Al Jolson for the recording but, unbeknown to Chaplin, Jolson had died 16:years previously. As a second choice, Chaplin chose Petula. She was up for the task and, shortly thereafter, the record went gold.
Are you curious about this one? To see Petula Clark sing the song that she made famous, with music and lyrics compliments of Charlie Chaplin, simply change channels by clicking the play button on the old TV set.
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