The most-popular version of the song was recorded by Les Paul and Mary Ford. This recording was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 2486 with "Johnny (Is the Boy For Me)" as the flip side in May 1953.[3] It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on June 13, 1953 and lasted 31 weeks on the chart, reaching number one on August 8 and remaining at number one for a total of 11 non-consecutive weeks.[4] The song also reached number one on the Cash Box chart where it remained at No. 1 for five weeks.[5] The song was ranked the No. 1 top tune of 1953,[6] and the second best selling song of the year.[7]
The Les Paul and Mary Ford single reached No. 7 in the UK backed with the Les Paul instrumental composition "Deep in the Blues" as the flip side.
In 2005, the 1953 Les Paul and Mary Ford recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Other notable recordings
1953 sheet music cover for the Les Paul and Mary Ford recording, Ardmore Music. New York.
Semprini with Rhythm Accompaniment. Recorded in London on October 13, 1953 as the first melody of the medley "Dancing to the piano (No. 22) – Hit medley of waltzes" along with "My Love, My Love" and "The Melba Waltz". The medley was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10592.