Once Upon a Summertime explained

"Once Upon a Summertime" is the title of the American version (with lyrics from Johnny Mercer) of a French song written by Michel Legrand, Eddie Barclay and Eddy Marnay.

The French original is La valse des lilas.^[1]

Notable recordings

• Blossom Dearie – Once Upon a Summertime (1958), Blossom Time at Ronnie Scott's (1966)
• Tony Bennett – I Wanna Be Around (1963)
• Miles Davis – Quiet Nights (1963)
• Sarah Vaughan – Star Eyes (1963)
• Monica Zetterlund and Bill Evans – Waltz for Debby (1964)
• Carmen Mcrae – Second To None (1964)
• Astrud Gilberto – Look to the Rainbow (1966)^[2]
• Barbra Streisand – Je m'appelle Barbra (1966)
• The Walker Brothers - Images (1967)
• Oscar Peterson – Walking the Line (1970)
• June Christy – Impromptu (1977) with the Lou Levy Sextet
• Chet Baker – Once Upon a Summertime (1977)
• Maria Farantouri – 17 Songs (1990)
• Betty Carter – It's Not About the Melody (1992)
• Betty Carter with Vienna Art Orchestra - (1997)^[3]

Notes and References

1. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/117970/versions#nav-entity Versions and release dates of "La valse des lilas" and "Once Upon a Summertime"
2. http://www.allmusic.com/album/look-to-the-rainbow-r585822 Look to the Rainbow – Astrud Gilberto
3. Web site: Discography 90s. Vao.at. 26 April 2021.