“Harbor Lights” is a popular song by Hugh Williams (pseudonym for Will Grosz) with lyrics by Henryk Szpilman and translated by Jimmy Kennedy. This song was originally sung in Polish by Irena Santor as “Portowe Światła”, and then by Frances Langford in 1937, and was published again in 1950.
The song has been recorded by many artists; charting versions were recorded by Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, Ray Anthony, Ralph Flanagan, Elvis Presley, The Platters (peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts in 1960), and Ken Griffin. Other versions were recorded by The Ink Spots, Lawrence Welk, Willie Nelson, Vera Lynn and Jon Rauhouse.
The biggest-selling version was recorded by the Sammy Kaye orchestra. The recording was released by Columbia Records as a 78rpm single and a 45rpm single. The record first reached the Billboard charts on September 1, 1950 and lasted 25 weeks, peaking at #1.
The Guy Lombardo orchestra recording of August 24, 1950 was released by Decca Records. The record first reached the Billboard charts on October 6, 1950 and lasted 20 weeks, peaking at #2.
The Bing Crosby recording was released by Decca Records. The record first reached the Billboard charts on November 3, 1950 and lasted 11 weeks, peaking at #10.
The Ray Anthony orchestra recording was released by Capitol Records. The flip side was “Nevertheless.” The record first reached the Billboard charts on October 20, 1950 and lasted 15 weeks on the chart, peaking at #15.
The Ralph Flanagan orchestra recording was released by RCA Victor Records. The record first reached the Billboard charts on October 27, 1950 and lasted 5 weeks, peaking at #27.
The Ken Griffin recording was released by Columbia Records. The record reached the Billboard charts on October 20, 1950 and lasted only one week, charting at #27.
By The Platters
Lyrics
I saw the harbor lights They only told me we were parting The same old harbor lights that once brought you to me I watched the harbor lights How could I help if tears were starting Goodbye to tender nights beside the silv’ry sea
I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more But you were on the ship and I was on the shore
Now I know lonely nights For all the while my heart is whisp’ring Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me
I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more But you were on the ship and I was on the shore
Now I know lonely nights For all the while my heart is whisp’ring Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me