“Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” is a popular song with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. The song was publicized first in the movie, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. From 1967 to 1973, it was used as the theme song to Love is a Many Splendored Thing, the soap opera based on the movie.
The best-selling version of the song was recorded by The Four Aces, issued by Decca Records as catalog number 29625. It reached number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one on both Billboard and Cash Box in 1955. The recording by The Four Aces is featured in the film Cookie (1989).
A version by Don Cornell was recorded approximately at the same time. It was issued by Coral Records as catalog number 61467. The song has also has been recorded by Ringo Starr (on his album Sentimental Journey), Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole and Barry Manilow. Neil Sedaka recorded the song in Italian as “L’Amore E’ Una Cosa Meravigliosa”. Connie Francis recorded the song in Italian in 1960 during the work for her album More Italian Favorites, although this version remains unreleased to this day. Francis also recorded the original English lyrics in 1961 for her album Connie Francis Sings ‘Never on Sunday’ and Other Title Songs from Motion Pictures. The instrumental playback of this 1961 recording was also used when Francis cut a German language version, “Sag, weißt du denn, was Liebe ist”, in 1966. The song was about that time also performed by Fairuz in Arabian language (“Zar Bisukun Al Lail”).
This song has been heard in movies such as Grease, In the Cold of the Night, Private Parts, St. Trinian’s, St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, and The Nutty Professor 2. The song was referenced in Moulin Rouge! when Christian says, “Love is like oxygen – love is a many splendored thing – love lifts us up where we belong! All you need is love!.”
It has been also heard in the series Bones, in the 14th episode of the fourth season.
By Andy Williams
By Jonny Mathis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES6J8XUIq_4
By The Four Aces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teuQEoeWPpA
Lyrics
Love is a many-splendored thing,
It’s the April rose that only grows in the early spring,
Love is nature’s way of giving a reason to be living,
The golden crown that makes a man a king.
Lost on a high and windy hill,
In the morning mist two lovers kissed and the world stood still,
When our fingers touch my silent heart has taught us how to sing,
Yes, true love’s a many-splendored thing.