Matt Monro With Lyrics

[Louella Kammann]

Itwas originally an Italian success by Mina, entitled "Piano" ("Softly"). Mina published a recording of the song first as a single in 1960 and later on an EP and on three LPs. English songwriter Hal Shaper noticed the song and in November 1961 wrote English lyrics to the melody, calling it "Softly, as I Leave You."

When he performed the song live in Las Vegas, Elvis Presley prefaced with a story about the origins of the song. Presley said the song originated when a man was dying and his wife was sitting by his bedside. As she began to doze off, he felt himself beginning to die and he wrote the words to the song on a notepad. However, Presley insiders claim that his explanation for the song was merely an example of Presley's flair for storytelling, so his explanation is most likely apocryphal. Presley said he heard the story "from some people in Florida." Elvis doesn't actually sing this song; he speaks the words while his backing tenor Sherrill Nielsen sings it. Presley's one recorded version of this song was a bootleg made by a fan in the Las Vegas Hilton show on 13 December 1975. RCA was able to release it commercially in March 1978[1] and it now appears on the boxed set Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70's Masters.

Matt Monro, born Terence Edward Parsons in 1930, was a celebrated English singer known for his smooth baritone voice. He gained fame in the 1960s with hits like 'Portrait of My Love' and 'Walk Away'. Monro's versatility allowed him to perform in various genres, including pop and jazz, making him a beloved figure in the music industry.

Monro's songs often delve into deep emotional themes such as regret over inaction, the realization of loss, and emotional pain. His heartfelt performances and poignant lyrics resonated with audiences, capturing the complexities of human emotion and making his music timeless.

3a8082e126