ΤΗΕ MOST POPULAR SONG HITS AND PERFORMERS OF 1951

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein were approached to write a musical form the book Anna and the King of Siam. The book is based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens who was an English governess and school teacher In the Court of Siam in the 1860s. The book had already been made into a straight film in 1946 starring Rex Harrison as the king. The attorney for Gertrude Lawrence, one of the queens of Broadway, approached Rodgers and Hammerstein to write a musical from the novel for her client.

The team wasn't very comfortable at first. Their musicals, so far, were all based in America in country and rural settings. This show would have to be different and would need to reflect a whole new musical element. It would somehow have to sound oriental and feel American. Rodger's and Hammerstein succeeded in the challenge. The King and I ran for 3 years on Broadway for 1246 performances. Gertrude Lawrence would die during the run, and the main surprise about the musical is, though it starred and was created for Gertrude Lawrence, the show was completely taken over by Yul Brynner, who played the king. This would become his signature role and would be associated with him more than any other actor.

The song Hello Young Lovers, is song by Anna when she first meets the wives of the king. In the song she explains how she thinks of her husband who has died and how young people make her feel when she sees them.

Inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2000, was written in 1951 by Irving Gordo. The publishing company wasn't happy with the original title which was Incomparable, and asked the composer lyricist to make the change to Unforgettable and a music legend is made.

The song was originally recorded by Nat King Cole and remained one his mostpopular songs. Nat King Cole would record the song more than once most notably in 1961. In 1991 Elvis Presley's music director came up with the idea of splicing the 1961 recording with a recording made by Nat's Daughter Natalie Cole and the song had another surge of popularity winning three Grammy awards: Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Written and published by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan in 1914, the first recording of the song was made by Collins and Harlin also in 1914. The song would come back in the 1950 movie "Two Weeks With Love". "Aba Dabba Honeymoon" would go to #3 on the Billboard chart in 1951. The song was again brought back on 1959 the film soundtrack that brought the Three Stooges back called "Have Rocket Will Travel". In the 1970s the Television Show Laverne and Shirley would use the song in the episode titled "The Shotz Talent Show."