Billboard wrote in its November 24, 1945, issue that "Symphony" originated in the French Riviera as "C'est Fini" and went #1 across the entire country of France following the end of World War II.
For the releases of the American versions, Jack Lawrence was ordered to write a more condensed, less emotional interpolation, in which the narrator describes the music he hears as his lover walks into a room and makes affection with him.
For those hankering another creation in the Martin manner, 'Symphony' will make the phono grade in spite of its unfamiliar melody and uninviting title," going on to highlight the chosen B-side, "In the Middle of May," as a "breezy and toe-tapping rhythm ditty, with lyrics for the merry song carried by the harmonizing Martian Men quartet.
I don't know, I forget who the lyric writer was, but he re-wrote it and called it 'Symphony,' and it was a big hit.Martin's recording proved to be the most successful in the United States, peaking at number 1 on the Best Sellers list, and spending thirteen weeks there in total.
A writer for Billboard praised Goodman's "thoroughly commercial treatment to the haunting melody," and "[application of] a righteous rhythmic base for his own exciting clarineting [that] makes the blues strain really rock in whimsical fashion", as well as Liza Morrow's "thrushing," "torch tonsiling," and "lyrical rhapsodizing," calling her overall "a real acquisition for this aggregation.
Billboard complimented Crosby's "downright purring," and "dreamy and relaxed word slinging," and Young's "accenting [of] the soft strings and celeste tinkles in his accompanying orchestra," going on to call the song and its B-side a "lovely, nostalgic waltz melody".
This should kick [the song] right upstairs,"[8] and two weeks later, "With Paul Weston's band weaving a beautiful background pattern, Jo Stafford projects herself lyrically with rousing results for both of these loved ballads.