When October Goes

Lea Salonga

About When October Goes

"When October Goes" is a ballad based on a lyric Johnny Mercer had written but did not complete. It was matched up to a melody by Barry Manilow and published in 1984, becoming one of the top Adult Contemporary hits of that year in the United States. In his last year, as he was dying from brain cancer, Mercer became extremely fond of Manilow, in part because Manilow's first hit record was of a song titled "Mandy", which was also the name of Mercer's daughter. After Mercer's death, his widow, Ginger Mehan Mercer, arranged to give some unfinished lyrics he had written to Manilow to possibly develop into complete songs. Among these was "When October Goes." Manilow applied his own melody to the lyric and issued it as a single in 1984. The song has since been recorded by Rebecca Parris, Kevin Mahogany, Rosemary Clooney, Nancy Wilson, Audrey Morris, and Megon McDonough and Nancy LaMott (arranged by Christopher Marlowe). Thomas Anders (of Modern Talking fame) recorded his version in 1997 on the album Live Concert. Recently, Lea Salonga performed the song on her album Inspired. 


Year:
2007
5:15
116 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

And when October goes
The snow begins to fly
Above the smoky rooms
I watched the place goes by

The children running home beneath
The twilight sky
Oh for the fun of them
When I was one of them

And when October goes
The same old dream appears
And you are in my arms
To share the happy years

I turn my head away to hide
The helpless tears
Oh, how I hate to see October goes

And when October goes
The same old dream appears
And you are in my arms
To share the happy years

I turn my head away to hide
The helpless tears
Oh, how I hate to see October go

I should be over it now, I know
It doesn't matter much how old I grow
I hate to see October goes

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Lea Salonga

Lea Salonga-Chien, OLD, (born February 22, 1971) is a Filipina soprano singer and actress well known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards. more »

2 fans

Written by: JOHNNY MERCER, BARRY MANILOW

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Song Composition
The lyrics of "When October Goes" were written by Johnny Mercer, one of the most successful lyricists in the history of American popular music. - The melody of the song was composed by famous singer and pianist, Barry Manilow.
Posthumous Lyrics Release
Johnny Mercer died in 1976 and "When October Goes" was one of the lyrics he left behind unfinished. - Barry Manilow discovered Mercer's unfinished work while working on an album of Mercer's songs, and put melody to these lyrics in 1984.
Kevin Mahogany's Version
Jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany recorded the song for his 1998 album, "Another Time Another Place." - His powerful, resonant baritone voice and modern approach to music gave a unique twist to this classic song.
Lea Salonga's Version
Filipino singer and actress Lea Salonga included her version of "When October Goes" in her 2007 album titled "Inspired." - Known for her crystal clear soprano voice and perfect pitch, Salonga brought a fresh and emotional angle to the song.
Nancy Wilson's Version
Nancy Wilson, a prominent figure in jazz music, interpreted the song in her 2001 album named "A Nancy Wilson Christmas." - Nancy brought her signature style of emotional honesty and melodic grace to "When October Goes.”
Rosemary Clooney's Version
American singer and actress Rosemary Clooney covered "When October Goes" in her 1987 album "Rosemary Clooney Sings the Music of Barry Manilow." - Clooney's interpretation was especially poignant given she was both a contemporary and a close friend of Johnny Mercer's.
Song's Popularity
"When October Goes" is one of the most famous songs from Barry Manilow's 1984 album "2:00 AM Paradise Cafe." - It has been covered frequently by various artists over the years, attesting to its enduring popularity.
Song's Theme
"When October Goes" is widely considered as a poignant and nostalgic song. The lyrics express longing and memories, fitting with the theme of many of Mercer’s greatest hits.

Discuss the When October Goes Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "When October Goes Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/10349695/Lea+Salonga/When+October+Goes>.

    Missing lyrics by Lea Salonga?

    Know any other songs by Lea Salonga? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    When October Goes

    1,534
    28     0

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Pour some ___________".
    A Salt in it
    B Sugar on me
    C Shook up ramen
    D For the homies

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Lea Salonga tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!