Song:You'll Never Know
Album:The Golden Years of Dick Haymes
Dick Haymes was a popular ballad singer of the 40s mostly playing second fiddle to Frank Sinatra. You'll Never Know was his biggest hit in 1943. Haymes also appeared in several films of the era. He continued to record in the 50s but changing musical styles and personal problems killed his career. He was born Sept. 13, 1918 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His British parents owned a cattle ranch there. When they split up, he lived with his mother who was a singer. Haynes started singing in New Jersey clubs as a teen. Then he moved to Hollywood and worked as an extra. His big break came when he replaced Frank Sinatra in the Harry James band. His biggest hit with James was I'll Get By which was recorded in 1941 but released in 1944 after Haymes left the James band. He also sang with Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman before signing with Decca in 1943. You'll Never Know topped the charts for four weeks. You'll notice there is no backing band. This was recorded during the musicians strike from 1942-44. So instead the vocal group The Song Spinners arranged and performed the record. They also backed up Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby among others. Margaret Johnson wrote the arrangement. You'll Never Know was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon for the 1943 film Hello, Frisco, Hello where the song was performed by Alice Faye. The song won an Oscar. Sinatra also recorded You'll Never Know. It was one of the few times Haymes got the better of Sinatra. Haymes also appeared in the 1945 film State Fair. He scored a hit with It Might As Well Be Spring. Haymes also hosted a radio show with Helen Forrest. Haymes career went into a tailspin in the late 40s due to heavy drinking and unsuccessful marriages to Joanne Dru and Rita Hayworth. Haymes was married six times. He recorded a couple of albums for Capitol in the 50s. He re-recorded You'll Never Know on one of those albums. Most comp CDs have that version. I recommend this 4CD box set because I know it has original 40s recordings. You can trust Jasmine Records. They don't mess around. Haymes moved to Ireland in the 60s. After kicking his drinking habit, Haymes moved back to the US to perform in clubs, record occasionally and appear in some TV shows. He died on Mar. 28, 1980 at age 61. Here's a video for You'll Never Know by Dick Haymes.
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