When October Goes

Nancy Wilson

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:
1991
3:57
344 
#1

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And when October goes
The snow begins to fly
Above the smokey roofs
I watch the planes go by

The children running home
Beneath a 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 go

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 go

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Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson (born February 20, 1937) is an American singer with more than 70 albums, and three Grammy Awards. She has been labeled a singer of blues, jazz, cabaret and pop; a "consummate actress"; and "the complete entertainer." The title she prefers, however, is song stylist. She has received many nicknames including "Sweet Nancy", "The Baby", "Fancy Miss Nancy" and "The Girl With the Honey-Coated Voice". 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.

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