The song was released in 1952 and was written by the former Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman.
The melody was adapted from the final part of the overture to Gioachino Rossini's opera Semiramide.
[3] The hit recording by Kay Starr, with orchestra conducted by Harold Mooney, was made for Capitol on August 19, 1952.
[4] In 1963, Starr recorded it again for The Fabulous Favorites, a stereo album of her greatest hits, which was released by Capitol on June 1, 1964.
[7][8][9] Starr's was the only rendition to make the UK singles sales chart, first appearing on the December 5, 1952 listing and peaking at No.