Teach Me Tonight Explained

Teach Me Tonight
Published:	1953
Genre:	Jazz standard
Composer:	Gene de Paul

"Teach Me Tonight" is a popular song that has become a jazz standard. The music was written by Gene De Paul, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was published in 1953.

Early recordings

Five versions charted in 1954 and 1955:^[1]

• Janet Brace was apparently first, making the Billboard chart on October 23, 1954, and eventually reaching No. 23. First recording from 1953
• Jo Stafford – No. 15 in 1954
• Dinah Washington – a No. 4 R&B/Hip-Hop Songs hit in 1954,^[2] inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999
• Helen Grayco – No. 29 in 1954
• The DeCastro Sisters ("It's Love" / "Teach Me Tonight", Abbott Record Co. 3001)^[3] – No. 2 in 1955. In addition, a 1959 re-recording titled "Teach Me Tonight Cha Cha" went to No. 76 on the Hot 100.^[4]

Other recordings

• Blossom Dearie recorded the song for her 1959 album Once Upon A Summertime^[5]
• Ann-Margret recorded a version on her 1961 debut album, And Here She Is ... Ann-Margret and again on her 2023 album Born to Be Wild as a duet with Pat Boone.
• In 1962, actor and singer George Maharis recorded his version of the song and included it on his album George Maharis Sings! The song released as a single reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.^[6]
• A country version appeared on Phoebe Snow's 1976 album It Looks Like Snow and was later released as a single, but failed to chart.
• In 1982, Al Jarreau included his version on "Breakin' Away" In the US, this version went to No. 70 on the Hot 100 and No. 51 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.^[7] In addition, it went to No. 19 on the Adult Contemporary chart.^[8]
• In 1984, Frank Sinatra recorded it for his album, L.A. Is My Lady^[9]
• A 2004 live recording appears on the deluxe version of the album Frank by Amy Winehouse.
• A version appeared on the 2014 album Classics by She & Him.
• A 2020 version appears on James Taylor's American Standards album.

External links

• "Teach Me Tonight" at jazzstandards.com
• 6 versions of "Teach Me Tonight",

Notes and References

1. Book: Whitburn. Joel. Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. 1986. Record Research Inc. Wisconsin, USA. 0-89820-083-0. 590. registration.
2. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 612.
3. Web site: The De Castro Sisters - It's Love / Teach Me Tonight. Discogs. 2022-05-06.
4. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012 . Joel Whitburn . 2013 . Record Research . 226.

5. Web site: www.allmusic.com. www.allmusic.com. July 8, 2024.
6. Book: Whitburn, Joel. 2013. Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. 14th. Record Research Inc.. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 978-0-89820-205-2. 528.
7. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 292.

8. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Joel Whitburn . 2002 . Record Research . 125.

9. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. May 29, 2024.