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I Believe

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I Believe

by
Ervin M. Drake - Irvin Graham - Jimmy Shirl - Al Stillman
ASCAP Work ID: 390002807
ISWC: T0709023799
Publisher: Cromwell Music Ind.
(1953)



"I Believe" was commissioned and introduced by Jane Froman on her television show, and became the first hit song ever introduced on TV. Froman, troubled by the uprising of the Korean War in 1952 so soon after World War II, asked Drake, Graham, Shirl and Stillman to compose a song that would offer hope and faith to the populace. In addition to Froman, "I Believe" has been recorded by many others, and has become both a popular and religious standard.

Frankie Laine had the big hit version of the song, which still holds the record for the most weeks spent at number one UK Singles Chart. However, that total of 18 weeks was not consecutive, as the hit had three separate periods at number one in the UK. For comparison the longest consecutive period at number one in the UK was 16 weeks by Bryan Adams with "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" (1991), whilst "Wet Wet Wet" spent 15 consecutive weeks there in 1994 with "Love Is All Around".

In 1972, Shawnee Music published a new arrangement of "I Believe" that includes a quodlibet with Bach/Gounod, "Ave Maria". This version is frequently performed by choirs at Christmas time.

I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray
someone will come to show the way
I believe, I believe

I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why I believe

These lyrics were transcribed from a recording mentioned below and do not necessarily correspond with lyrics from other recordings, sheet music, songbooks or lyrics printed on album jackets

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Others who have recorded this song


  1. 101 Strings – "Songs Of Faith" Alshire Records – S-5100
  2. Doris Akers (1963) (RCA Victor 2644)
  3. K. Alleckson
  4. Ed Ames
  5. Gene Ammons
  6. Astro Orquestra
  7. The Bachelors - "I Believe/Happy Land" (7", Single) Decca F.11857 UK 1964
  8. The Bachelors - "I Believe/Sweet Lullabies" (7", 45 Single) London Records 45LON9672 US (1964) #1 - 2 - 33
  9. Pearl Baily
  10. Barbershop Quartets & Chorus
  11. Otto Brandenburg (1959)
  12. Brook Benton
  13. Best of Relic#2
  14. Stillma Blackwood Singers
  15. Pat Boone – "I Believe" Word – WST 9570 LP UK (1977)
  16. Eve Boswell
  17. Walter Brennan (1960)
  18. Bronn Journey
  19. The Righteous Brothers - " Go Ahead and Cry" LP Verve V6 5004 US 1966
  20. Anita Bryant – "I Believe" Columbia – CS 9506 Vinyl, LP, Stereo US 1965
  21. Shirley Caesar - "At Her Best" (1975)
  22. Glen Campbell (1970)
  23. Cecilia
  24. Larry Chance and The Earls
  25. Chorale Du College Notre-Dame
  26. The Chordettes (recorded 1953, released the next year)
  27. Perry Como – "I Believe" RCA Victor – EPA-735 7", EP, 45 RPM US 1956
  28. Perry Como – "I Believe" RCA Victor – EPA-5123 Gold Standard Series – 7", EP, 45 RPM US 1959
  29. Perry Como – "I Believe" RCA Victor – LPE 1172 Vinyl, LP Canada 1956/1970
  30. Ken Copeland
  31. J Daniel
  32. Ervin M. Drake
  33. Ervin M. Drake & Perry Como
  34. The Ebonys
  35. The Earls (1964)
  36. First United Methodist Church
  37. Red Foley May 1953
  38. Tennessee Ernie Ford
  39. K C Frodsham
  40. Jane Froman (December 23, 1952)
  41. Crystal Gayle (on her 1995 album, "Someday)
  42. The GoldTones (2004)
  43. Art Greenhaw "Wills & The Light Crust Doughboys: 80th Anniversary, Together Again" (2010)
  44. Guy
  45. Roy Hamilton - Epic 5-9092 / "If You Are But A Dream" 7" 45 US
  46. Joe Harris (1981)
  47. Edwin Hawkins
  48. Hidden Talents
  49. Benny Hill (parodied The Bachelors version of "I Believe" in his song, "I'll Never Know")
  50. Engelbert Humperdinck
  51. The Les Humphries Singers (1970)
  52. Ferlin Husky (April 1968)
  53. Mahalia Jackson "I Believe" (LP) Columbia CL 1549 / CS 8349 US 1960
  54. Joni James (on her 1956 Give Us This Day)
  55. Marv Johnson – "I Believe" United Artists – UAS 6187 Vinyl, LP US 1962
  56. Allan Jones, tenor with The Peter Knight Singers with orchestra cond. by George Melachrino - Released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10490) London, England (April 16, 1953)
  57. Tom Jones
  58. Robson and Jerome
  59. The Jordanaires "We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music: The James Blackwood Tribute Album" (2002)
  60. Kamahl
  61. K T Kanawa
  62. D Kartsonakis
  63. Gé Korsten
  64. Patti LaBelle (1998)
  65. Frankie Laine - " I Believe" Capitol ST 2277 12" LP US 1965
  66. C Lane
  67. The Lennon Sisters
  68. The Lettermen "You'll Never Walk Alone" (1965)
  69. The Lettermen (B-side of "Sweet September")
  70. The Lettermen - and "Live!" Capitol ST-2758 US (1967)
  71. Liberace – "I Believe / Gigi" Coral – 65539 7", 45 RPM US 1961
  72. Donna Loren (1965) (Capitol 5548)
  73. J MacNally
  74. G Macrae
  75. Ronnie McDowell (1991)
  76. Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge - "Peace On Earth" CD (2002)
  77. Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge - "Songs Of Inspiration" CD (2007)
  78. D McNichols
  79. Wink Martindale - "The Story Of Job"
  80. Marcel Mouloudji (1953, as "Je Crois en Toi")
  81. Mountain View Presbyterian Church
  82. The Musical Hearts from Texas (recorded in September 1964. It was released on the extended play, Harmoni HEP 216.
  83. Jim Nabors
  84. T Netherton
  85. Optimists
  86. Daniel O'Donnell (1997)
  87. Johnny O'Keefe and The Dee Jays December 1959
  88. Orion (1980)
  89. Tony Orlando
  90. Donny Osmond "A Time for Us (1973)
  91. Dolly Parton
  92. The Platters
  93. Plus Me
  94. Elvis Presley "Peace In The Valley" RCA EPA 4054 April 1957
  95. Elvis Presley "Elvis' Christmas Album" RCA LOC 1035 November 1957
  96. Elvis Presley RCA "You'll Never Walk Alone" Camden CALX 2472 March 22, 1971
  97. Elvis Presley "The Other Sides: Worldwide Gold Award Hits, Volume 2" RCA LPM 6402 August 10, 1971
  98. Elvis Presley RCA 16 (UK) Nov 28, 1980
  99. Elvis Presley from Elvis' Christmas Album (1957)
  100. Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
  101. Ralna
  102. Paul Rich with Gerry Glenn & His Orchestra April (1964)
  103. LeAnn Rimes
  104. J River
  105. Robson & Jerome (October 30, 1995)
  106. Sandler and Young (together with Bach/Gounod's Ave Maria)
  107. Frank Sinatra
  108. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
  109. Craig Smith
  110. B Sprague
  111. Joan Stafford
  112. W Stillman
  113. Barbra Streisand
  114. Studio Violist
  115. Connie Talbot "Over The Rainbow" (2007)
  116. Connie Talbot re-released "June Over the Rainbow" (2008) (Christmas tracks replaced).
  117. BJ Thomas (1981)
  118. The Tidbits – "I Believe" RCA Victor – SGE-0001 Vinyl, 7", EP Singapore 1968
  119. Tiny Tim with The New Duncan Imperials (1995)
  120. Richard Tucker
  121. Tumblin Creek
  122. Lesie Uggrams - " The Eyes of God" Columbia CL 1376/CS 8174 US (1959)
  123. Clara Ward & the Ward Singers (1970)
  124. Fred Waring
  125. Dinah Washingtom
  126. Brook Benton with Dinah Washington
  127. Lawance Welk
  128. Dottie West (July 1967)
  129. David Whitfield (1960)
  130. Roger Whittaker
  131. Andy Williams - "The Village of St. Bernadette" (1960)
  132. Jackie Wilson Brunswick - 45-55294 / "Be My Love" (1966)
  133. Tammy Wynette (1969)
  134. Tammy Wynette - "The World Of Tammy Wynette" CD (August 2009)
  135. Tammy Wynette - "I Don't Wanna Play House: The Best Of Tammy Wynette?" CD (October 2009)
  136. Timi Yuro & Johnnie Ray - Arr. & Conducted by Belford C. Hendricks - Liberty F-55400 7" 45 US (1961)


    137. Source:
    Wikipedia
    Your Key To Collectibles - 78 DISCOGRAPHY
    ASCAP
    secondhandsongs.com


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