I no longer remember whether it was the Lettermen or Four Freshmen who sang this in the early 1950's, but this version is da absolute BOMB! It's frigging gorgeous! While it certainly benefits from modern recording tech, it certainly captures the full flavor and spirit of the original. I sang this to a girl I whom I liked when I was six! Roy Waidler, counselor Outlands Community USA
Haha!! what an old time classic!! use to hear this on bbc radio 2 every morning when i was a kid. ahhr!! those innocent days, this song brings it all back..
This song is so special to me, growing up in the 70s, its one of the earliest songs I remember my mum singing to me as a very young child and gives me a lovely feeling to hear it.
Hi there! Laurel Massé here. There has been some confusion about this song over the years. The Wikipedia entry is wrong: Janis Siegel sings lead on the recording of "Chanson d'Amour". I am the lead singer on "Je Voulais", a French tune (by Michel Jonasz (Pastiche). A clip of "Je Voulais" has been posted by sergios345. My car accident was in December 1978. I was in hospital a long time, and left MT in April 1979. Cheryl joined after that, and MT is still making great music. Blessings to all!
When I was younger (about 19 or 20) I went away to stony brook and lived on campus. I was s jazz musician (drums). I heard this fell in love with this rendition and thus the group. When I went home for I think it was Christmas I played the album on and next thing I knew my mother my grandmother and aunts were either sitting quietly looking out windows or tearing up. I'm 68 now it's my turn to either tear up (I'M ALONE-NO ONE TO SEE) or stare out of the window. That's the sign of a great group singing a great song.
No - it was the anniversary of my Nanna's death on 4th July. I posted the Edit Piaf version on Facebook, but tonight realised it probably wasn't the one played on her radio in the 70's. It would've been this one :) x
While Art and Dotty Todd's original 1958 was a great hit (perhaps the best version) this version is undoubtedly my favorite. Janice Siegel knocks it out-of the-park with this. The lady gives it the European romance it deserves only done with video. Her vibrato gives it that magic touch. Bravo Bravo.
This is the first time I've heard this version, to my best recollection. Very nice. But I remember well the A & D Todd version (I'm 80) when I was young. I'd have sworn it came out in '57, but you and Wikipedia say 1958. I recall it playing on every jukebox.
This weekend Tim Hauser has passed away. With great sadness, and thankfullness for The Manhattan Transfer giving me a great interest in music and singing, I lift my hat in respect and sing silently "Chanson D'amour, ra da da da da..."
Not bad...except she keeps singing "da moo-re" instead of "da more". Every time a singer does this sort of a thing with a song it sort of yanks me out of enjoying the tune.
I loved this song as a child too - and It's a pleasure again to hear it today ... it is so powerful, I get a good feeling when ever it cames to the ear and to to the brain ...
Billy used to come to the power station construction job at Stokes Hill in his shorts and boots and blue arms cut off sweater with a Coke in one hand, a smile on his face and signing this song. God Bless you Billy. RDA Darwin 1975. God Bless you all..... And guess what? They pulled down that power station we built with our own hands and sweat and tears but a wonderful lifetime memory many of us might have today. Song of Love.
I was only 17. I have never been the same. My life was altered beond recognition because of this band. Bought all their Albums and worshiped them. The epitomy of sophistication.
How odd. In 1978 I was 22, and had just bought Pastiche. I was convinced Janis Seigel was the most beautiful woman in the world, and seeing Man Tran here in the UK simply confirmed it. Its now 39 years on, I'm 62, and I was absolutely right and she still is. Thank you for all the pleasure. 👍😉
Back in 1976 (I think) I was working in a record shop in Dumbarton when a customer came in and asked for a copy of Shaw Shaw For More. We asked who sang it, what it went like, anything to find out what it was. Eventually, I said "could it be Chanson D'Amour"? He said, "don't know, can you play it". Sure enough, Shaw Shaw For More turned out to be Chanson D'Amour. He left a happy customer.
Hey that coulda been me !!!!! No only kidding, I used to live in Dumbarton, High Overtoun, a new build estate, I loved Dumbarton but ma wee wife missed the West End of Glasgow too much ☹️
This is an excellent rendition, so smooth, so like the original. We of a previous era will always remember when it became our favorite hit in 1958 (our high school grad year) by Art and Dottie Todd. Oh what a sound they had. The MT so reminds me of them, and those memorable years. Thanks for the post.
I loved this song the very first time I heard this in early 77, just one year from leaving school.It's now almost 36 years since I first heard it now, and I still love it as much. It brings back many memories that are still fresh as the day they were created. Koomugtoo, you've done a fantastic job too!!! I thought this was one single video. Congrat's!
It is an honor to have you here Laurel Masse. Though you are not the original voice in this song as you said, it wont change our impression of you. I saw some of your videos and I think you are simply wonderful.
On this day in 1958 {May 17th} Art and Dotty Todd performed "Chanson d' Amour" on the ABC-TV program 'The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show'... One month earlier on April 14th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #6 and spent 16 weeks on the Top 100... Also in 1958 the Fontane Sisters recorded it; it reached #12... Nineteen years later in 1977 the Manhattan Transfer took their covered version to #1 in the U.K. and Australia... R.I.P. Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}
Personally i think this song is really under rated and never got the recognition it deserved. I too loved it as a child and it has stayed with me throughout my life.
When this wonderful Art and Dottie Todd composition came out sometime in the late 1950's, it was so popular that it was played on the radio almost all the time.
I can clearly remember this song as a kid in the spring of 1977 in the UK. A massive hit back then, I honestly thought TMT were French, my lasting memory of this tune was as a 12 year old, there was a serious flu bug going around at the time, and everyone seemed to be dropping like flies, I was off school for about a week, and my mum was off work for roughly the same time, we both spent the entire time in our bedrooms in bed, the house was in total silence during the day as we both had caught the virus. It seemed every time I turned on the radio, this song was being played on Radio One.
Que grato escuchar nuevamente esta bella canción. La escuchaba en los años 70s cuando era apenas un niño y me ha traido muchos buenos recuerdillos. Saludos desde La Serena, Chile.
Wow! The real Laurel Masse? I am so impressed! i recall with fondness listening to you on the early MT recordings. I just fell in love with Pastiche, with your warm, expressive vocals. I followed you on Alone Together, Easy Living, and Feather and Bone. Thank you for continuing to support great music, like the MT and other jazz vocal offerings. We, your fans, wish you all the best, Mlle Laurel! Salute! I'll be thinking of you as I run around RUclips, looking for great jazz vocal music. Bernie
Just recently found out about this group. They look like they are having so muvh fun, its got me thinking about getting singing lessons and joining an ensemble
This is probably "the greatest song Edith Piaf never did" - although there actually was a Chanson d'Amour by Edith Piaf that I found on RUclips but a completely different melody. I also found a few vids on RUclips billed as Piaf performing this song, but it is the Manhattan Transfer's recording! There seems to be no evidence that Piaf actually recorded the Wayne Shanklin composition, originally a #6 hit in 1958 for Art and Dotty Todd. Kudos go to lead singer Janis Siegel for sounding a lot like Piaf in this masterpiece!
I no longer remember whether it was the Lettermen or Four Freshmen who sang this in the early 1950's, but this version is da absolute BOMB! It's frigging gorgeous! While it certainly benefits from modern recording tech, it certainly captures the full flavor and spirit of the original. I sang this to a girl I whom I liked when I was six!
Roy Waidler, counselor
Outlands Community USA
Unbelievable that one song contains so much music, fantstick!
This beautiful singer replied to a tweet of mine a few weeks ago. Made my day. Never forgotten this wonderful song from my 70's childhood.
what a marvelous song... for ever.
My dad used to sing this to me and my siblings all the time, we are playing it at his funeral on Thursday. So bitter sweet listening to it.
if your dad sang this to you and your siblings it proves on thing he had a great taste in music
Sorry to hear that 💋
Haha!! what an old time classic!! use to hear this on bbc radio 2 every morning when i was a kid. ahhr!! those innocent days, this song brings it all back..
This song is so special to me, growing up in the 70s, its one of the earliest songs I remember my mum singing to me as a very young child and gives me a lovely feeling to hear it.
Yet another huge underrated group the manhattan transfer they could cover most genres of music
Beautiful. I'll never forgive it.
do you mean forget?
Extremely beautiful, that complexion,, flawless. 10+
What taste,, style!
Hi there! Laurel Massé here. There has been some confusion about this song over the years. The Wikipedia entry is wrong: Janis Siegel sings lead on the recording of "Chanson d'Amour". I am the lead singer on "Je Voulais", a French tune (by Michel Jonasz (Pastiche). A clip of "Je Voulais" has been posted by sergios345.
My car accident was in December 1978. I was in hospital a long time, and left MT in April 1979. Cheryl joined after that, and MT is still making great music.
Blessings to all!
I could not find the song you are song Je Voulais. So, are you saying that you are not the person singing here? I love this song!
Throwback time.....thank you
What a beautiful song. I always loved the Manhattan Transfer such a talented group ❤️
Exquisite elegance and class from the immensely talented Manhattan Transfer!
Brilliant. I was a boy when this came about but I have never been tired of hearing it.
When I was younger (about 19 or 20) I went away to stony brook and lived on campus. I was s jazz musician (drums). I heard this fell in love with this rendition and thus the group. When I went home for I think it was Christmas I played the album on and next thing I knew my mother my grandmother and
aunts were either sitting quietly looking out windows or tearing up. I'm 68 now it's my turn to either tear up (I'M ALONE-NO ONE TO SEE) or stare out of the window. That's the sign of a great group singing a great song.
une mémoire beutiful de 1977 , j'aime cette chanson!
Had the pleasure of seeing them back in the 80;s
This reminds me of my nanna. She'd sing along to it when I was tiny. Sweet memories of a wonderful lady xx
starr brite I was playing funtrivia which prompted me to look up this song. You too?
No - it was the anniversary of my Nanna's death on 4th July. I posted the Edit Piaf version on Facebook, but tonight realised it probably wasn't the one played on her radio in the 70's. It would've been this one :) x
Did she teach you to dance standing on her feet.
Ahh sadly no, she had bad ankles lol :D
I was just telling my daughter about my nana singing this to me when I was little too! It must be a nana thing :)
Memories that never forget ....
While Art and Dotty Todd's original 1958 was a great hit (perhaps the best version) this version is undoubtedly my favorite. Janice Siegel knocks it out-of the-park with this. The lady gives it the European romance it deserves only done with video. Her vibrato gives it that magic touch. Bravo Bravo.
This is the first time I've heard this version, to my best recollection. Very nice. But I remember well the A & D Todd version (I'm 80) when I was young. I'd have sworn it came out in '57, but you and Wikipedia say 1958. I recall it playing on every jukebox.
Just got back from Paris and could not get this song out of my mind!!! Love it!!
Such a class ensemble...such a beautiful ensemble! Soooo Love the Transfer!!!
Beautiful Song!! Beautiful Womans Laurel Massé!!!
This weekend Tim Hauser has passed away. With great sadness, and thankfullness for The Manhattan Transfer giving me a great interest in music and singing, I lift my hat in respect and sing silently "Chanson D'amour, ra da da da da..."
God I'm starting to feel old. Takes me right back. Nice one.
What a beautiful song! My parents used to listen to it when I was a child.
y los mios!
Mine also.
Aprender Idiomas y Cultura General con Rodrigo eu também meu amigo querido
Why did you not listen to it?
Not bad...except she keeps singing "da moo-re" instead of "da more". Every time a singer does this sort of a thing with a song it sort of yanks me out of enjoying the tune.
I loved this song as a child too - and It's a pleasure again to hear it today ... it is so powerful, I get a good feeling when ever it cames to the ear and to to the brain ...
This timeless classic song has a heart. I am proud to love old music. A 10 out of 10 from me!!!!
Truly delightful... thanks for this lovely share. Memories are made of this.
This was always playing on the radio growing up. Premo! Awsom! Jah! Tumeke!
Billy used to come to the power station construction job at Stokes Hill in his shorts and boots and blue arms cut off sweater with a Coke in one hand, a smile on his face and signing this song. God Bless you Billy. RDA Darwin 1975. God Bless you all..... And guess what? They pulled down that power station we built with our own hands and sweat and tears but a wonderful lifetime memory many of us might have today. Song of Love.
Cudowna melodia z mojego dzieciństwa. Często słuchałem jej w radio. Miło choć na krótką chwilę powrócić do beztroskich lat dziecięcych.
reminds me so much of growing up in the late 70s early 80s xx what a great song so many memories.
I was only 17. I have never been the same. My life was altered beond recognition because of this band. Bought all their Albums and worshiped them. The epitomy of sophistication.
A great song with music and words...love it
How odd. In 1978 I was 22, and had just bought Pastiche. I was convinced Janis Seigel was the most beautiful woman in the world, and seeing Man Tran here in the UK simply confirmed it. Its now 39 years on, I'm 62, and I was absolutely right and she still is. Thank you for all the pleasure. 👍😉
The British TV show, Are you being Served ,,Brought me here ,,,,
,Greetings From America, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland ...
What a great song , to hear coming home from work to relax .....Thankyou
I have loved this song for 40 years since I was a teenager. I bought a saxophone and began playing it back then. MT is simply beautiful music.
When the World was a simpler place. A happier place. Memories. 😊
You knew where you were in the Cold War world.
So evocative if you are mid 40s+
Such a melodic song , great sax playing , with perfect vocal harmonies , . and i have to say a beautiful singer,
D..
Love, Love, Love, this song.
Back in 1976 (I think) I was working in a record shop in Dumbarton when a customer came in and asked for a copy of Shaw Shaw For More. We asked who sang it, what it went like, anything to find out what it was. Eventually, I said "could it be Chanson D'Amour"? He said, "don't know, can you play it". Sure enough, Shaw Shaw For More turned out to be Chanson D'Amour. He left a happy customer.
I'm just picturing a jock from Dumbarton getting his tongue round 'Chanson D'Amour'. I'd have paid money to see that lol. Great story.
Hey that coulda been me !!!!!
No only kidding, I used to live in Dumbarton, High Overtoun, a new build estate,
I loved Dumbarton but ma wee wife missed the West End of Glasgow too much ☹️
I'm a Jock from The Vale et j'e parle la belle langue comme c'estma langue maternelle :P
He could've at least said, "Excuse my French"!
Arguably the most talented four singers group during their prime.
Amen!!
Well ! Wellwellwellwellwell. I think it's time someone heard of a little band called " Menudo " . ....hmm?
Always loved Manhattan Transfer.. great music.. thnx
Thank you so very much for uploading wow just the best. Party song for all to join in and sing along. Happy happy times.
The first time when I heard this song I was impacted! Nowadays it's my favorite song!! I think it's a pretty wonderful song! ❤️👌💕
Great version. Wonderful harmony. Superb sax!!!!
This is an excellent rendition, so smooth, so like the original. We of a previous era will always remember when it became our favorite hit in 1958 (our high school grad year) by Art and Dottie Todd. Oh what a sound they had.
The MT so reminds me of them, and those memorable years.
Thanks for the post.
Oh this beautiful song brings back so many fond memories...love you MT!
Wow! Childhood memories. Thanks for posting👍🏼❤️
So love this song, Takes me back to my childhood. Its fantastic
I loved this song the very first time I heard this in early 77, just one year from leaving school.It's now almost 36 years since I first heard it now, and I still love it as much. It brings back many memories that are still fresh as the day they were created. Koomugtoo, you've done a fantastic job too!!! I thought this was one single video. Congrat's!
this brings a tear in my eye, old mans memories
Song: fantastic!!! Manhattan Transfer: fantastic!!! Video clip: fantastic!!! Thank you!!!
When I was a small child, and my Mum was listening to this on Radio 2, I thought it was called "Sean's On The Moon".
+guitardavept brilliant
+guitardavept That's great, i like it. i will never hear this song the same again !!
hahaha...yeah now I'll sing that instead lol
yes he has fucked for me to
guitardavept b
It is an honor to have you here Laurel Masse. Though you are not the original voice in this song as you said, it wont change our impression of you. I saw some of your videos and I think you are simply wonderful.
Very nicely done MT !! That magical music era will never pass this way again
A Really beautiful song And a fantastic band.
Memories so precious come flooding back.
its the memories that music brings , fantastic.
This song brings back sweet memories of my childhood.
She is sooo captivating and knocks it out of the park for me
this song takes me way back to happy carefree times - lovely!
this takes me back to my teenage years, happy memories
I know this goes back a few years now but the sheer quality has endured
On this day in 1958 {May 17th} Art and Dotty Todd performed "Chanson d' Amour" on the ABC-TV program 'The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show'...
One month earlier on April 14th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #6 and spent 16 weeks on the Top 100...
Also in 1958 the Fontane Sisters recorded it; it reached #12...
Nineteen years later in 1977 the Manhattan Transfer took their covered version to #1 in the U.K. and Australia...
R.I.P. Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}
Happy childhood memory.
Lindos recuerdos de mi infancia!Gracias desde Argentina!
Personally i think this song is really under rated and never got the recognition it deserved. I too loved it as a child and it has stayed with me throughout my life.
This song reminds me a beautiful time when I was young...
Very well done
congrats
Brilliant, this was in the charts 12/3/1977
When this wonderful Art and Dottie Todd composition came out sometime in the late 1950's, it was so popular that it was played on the radio almost all the time.
Seriously, what a beautiful song!
My Favorite from a group that could harmonize anything!
I can clearly remember this song as a kid in the spring of 1977 in the UK. A massive hit back then, I honestly thought TMT were French, my lasting memory of this tune was as a 12 year old, there was a serious flu bug going around at the time, and everyone seemed to be dropping like flies, I was off school for about a week, and my mum was off work for roughly the same time, we both spent the entire time in our bedrooms in bed, the house was in total silence during the day as we both had caught the virus. It seemed every time I turned on the radio, this song was being played on Radio One.
Que grato escuchar nuevamente esta bella canción. La escuchaba en los años 70s cuando era apenas un niño y me ha traido muchos buenos recuerdillos. Saludos desde La Serena, Chile.
toute ma jeunesse!!souvenirs!souvenirs!!
Reminds me of my nana when I was a kid! Love this song soooo romantic!
Wow! The real Laurel Masse? I am so impressed! i recall with fondness listening to you on the early MT recordings. I just fell in love with Pastiche, with your warm, expressive vocals. I followed you on Alone Together, Easy Living, and Feather and Bone.
Thank you for continuing to support great music, like the MT and other jazz vocal offerings. We, your fans, wish you all the best, Mlle Laurel! Salute!
I'll be thinking of you as I run around RUclips, looking for great jazz vocal music. Bernie
This takes me back to high school days....in a flash, one of the best songs ever, just amazing..thank you for posting koomugtoo.
que de bons souvenirs !!!
merci :-)
I've said it before I'll say it again......sublime.
love this song growing up and still love it and the group
Just recently found out about this group. They look like they are having so muvh fun, its got me thinking about getting singing lessons and joining an ensemble
i remember when this was released and forty odd years later it is still a top tune and in my eye's it will always be that
Me and my wife were discussing this song having no idea who sang it. Thank god for google or it would have driven me mad. Love the song btw.
Loved them from the moment I heard them...Classic, lovely and a romantic....well my wife still loves them also.... :-)
Total pure class.
Very nicely done! Thanks for posting!
Beautiful song
You go girl, you made my childhood a pleasure. xxx
This is probably "the greatest song Edith Piaf never did" - although there actually was a Chanson d'Amour by Edith Piaf that I found on RUclips but a completely different melody. I also found a few vids on RUclips billed as Piaf performing this song, but it is the Manhattan Transfer's recording! There seems to be no evidence that Piaf actually recorded the Wayne Shanklin composition, originally a #6 hit in 1958 for Art and Dotty Todd. Kudos go to lead singer Janis Siegel for sounding a lot like Piaf in this masterpiece!
Refreshingly original; select alternative during Disco Era.
Thanks for posting, koomugtoo!
LOVE THIS SONG
Da kommt mir doch sofort eine Klassenfahrt in den Frankfurter Zoo in Erinnerung. Hin und Rückfahrt die ganze zeit der Song. :-)
Moja ukochana melodia...Dziękuję
La chanteuse avait une voix incroyable, magnifique, et l'orchestration était géniale.
An old time favorite, love this song.