THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

687-The Platters-Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.

1958-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09. Jerome Kern’s widow disliked The Platters recording so much, she considered taking legal action, she thought the song was ‘Too Rock ‘N Roll.’

Jerome David Kern was born on January 27th, 1885, in New York City, New York, United States, six days before his death he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and died on November 11th, 1945, at the age of 60. At the time of his death Oscar Hammerstein II, (1895-1960) (see also best songs 842-82 and 60) was at his bedside when Kern’s breathing stopped. Hammerstein hummed or sang the song ‘I’ve Told Ev’ry Little Star,’ from ‘Music in the Air,’ which was a personal favourite of Kern’s in to his ear, after receiving no response, Hammerstein realised Kern had died. Jerome Kern is considered to be one of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th Century, having written more than 700 songs that were used in over 100 stage works, including classics such as ‘Ol’ Man River,’ (1927) ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,’ (1927) ‘A Fine Romance,’ (1936) and ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ (1936.) Jerome Kern created dozens of Broadway Musicals, and Hollywood films, over the course of four decades, working alongside the leading lyricists of the era, including Oscar Hammerstein II, (1895-1960) Johnny Mercer, (1909-1976) Ira Gershwin, (1896-1983) and Yip Harburg, (1896-1981) who all have songs featured in this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list.

‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ was written for the 1933 musical ‘Roberta,’ by Jerome Kern, who composed the music, and Otto Harbach, (1873-1963) who wrote the lyrics. ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ was first sung in the Broadway show of ‘Roberta’ by the Russian singer and actress Tamara Drasin, (1905-1943) and first recorded by the American singer and actress Gertrude Niesen, (1911-1975) in 1933. Four different versions of ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ reached the American Billboard chart in 1934, with the most successful being by the American bandleader Paul Whiteman, (1890-1967) whose recording reached Number 1. The song has been covered over several decades by many of the worlds top artists, and in the UK has been a top 40 hit on four occasions, by The Platters, (1959-Number 1) Blue Haze, (1972-Number 32) Bryan Ferry, (1974-Number 17) and John Alford (1996-Number 13.)

The version of ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ which has become the definitive, is this one by The Platters, which topped the Billboard and UK singles chart in 1959. The Platters recorded the song for their 1958 Album ‘Remember When?’ with the songs production being by Samuel ‘Buck’ Ram,’ (1907-1991) who was also the groups manager. The Platters were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1952, taking their name from the ‘turntable’ of an old 1940’s era phonograph machine, and the ‘platter’ that spun the vinyl records. The Platters were one of the most successful vocal groups of the early ‘Rock N’ Roll’ era, with their distinctive sound bridging the gap between previous acts such as ‘The Mills Brothers,’ (see also best songs 960 and 535) and the ‘Ink Spots,’ (see also best songs 702 and 266) with those to follow, such as the ‘Temptations’ (see also best songs 1031-1001-777 and 569.) None of the original line up of The Platters (1952-1953) are still alive, and none of the accepted classic line up (1955-1959) are either. Herb Reed who had named the group, (1928-2012) was also the official groups one constant, having sung lead or backing on all 400 plus recordings, and it was Tony Williams (1928-1992) from the classic line up, who sang the lead vocals on ”Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.’ After the group began to splinter around 1970, legal battles ensued as past members sought the right to use the name ‘The Platters,’ leading to them being branded ‘Many Voices One Name.’ In total there were 11 official members come and go, and at the time of writing ‘The Platters’ still tour with four current members.

The discography of The Platters includes 54 singles released between 1953-1968, of which 22 have reached the American Billboard Hot 100 top 40, with ‘The Great Pretender, (1955) ‘My Prayer,’ (1956) ‘Twilight Time,’ (1958) and ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,’ (1958) all reaching Number 1. In the UK, The Platters have had 10 top 40 hits, with ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,’ peaking the highest at Number 1.

‘They asked me how I knew, my true love was true, I of course replied, something here inside, cannot be denied. They said, someday you’ll find, all who love are blind, when your heart’s on fire, you must realise, smoke gets in your eyes.’