Careless Hands Explained

"Careless Hands" is a popular song written by Carl Sigman and Bob Hilliard, and first recorded in 1948.

The song was originally recorded by Sammy Kaye with vocals by Don Cornell,^[1] and then recorded in 1949 by Mel Tormé, whose version reached no.1 on the US pop chart and became Tormé's first major success.^[2] It was also recorded by many other singers including Bing Crosby (recorded March 22, 1949)^[3] and Al Martino.^[1] There were no less than four charted versions in 1949, by Mel Tormé (#1), Sammy Kaye (#3), Bing Crosby (#12) and Bob & Jeanne (#21).^[4]

In the UK, a version by comedian and entertainer Des O'Connor reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in 1967.^[5]

In 1971, "Careless Hands" was recorded by American country music artist Dottie West. It was released as a single, peaking at number 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in April 1971. The song was subsequently released on a studio album of the same name.^[6]

Other recordings

• 1949: Bob and Alf Pearson - a Parlophone single.
• 1958: Michael Holliday - a single release on the Columbia label.^[7]
• 1958: Slim Whitman - a single release for London Records.^[8]
• 1960: Kitty Kallen - for her album Honky Tonk Angel, Country Songs with a City Flavor.^[9]
• 1964: The Andrews Sisters - included in their album Great Country Hits.^[10]
• 1965: Vic Damone - for his album You Were Only Fooling.^[11]
• 1984: Jerry Lee Lewis - for his album I Am What I Am.^[12]

Notes and References

1. http://www.secondhandsongs.com/work/79556 "Careless Hands" at SecondhandSongs.com
2. Book: Whitburn, Joel. 1986. Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. 1st. Record Research Inc.. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 0-89820-083-0. 421.
3. Web site: A Bing Crosby Discography. BING magazine. International Club Crosby. September 13, 2017.
4. Book: Whitburn. Joel. Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. 1986. Record Research Inc. Wisconsin, USA. 0-89820-083-0. 483.
5. Book: Betts, Graham. 2004. Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004. 1st. Collins. London. 0-00-717931-6. 565.
6. Web site: Dottie West Chart History: Hot Country Songs . . 7 August 2019.
7. Web site: 45worlds.com. 45worlds.com. September 13, 2017.
8. Web site: Discogs.com. Discogs.com. September 13, 2017.
9. Web site: Discogs.com. Discogs.com. September 13, 2017.
10. Web site: Discogs.com. Discogs.com. September 13, 2017.
11. Web site: Discogs.com. Discogs.com. September 13, 2017.
12. Web site: Discogs.com. Discogs.com. September 13, 2017.