COME SOFTLY TO ME
“Come Softly to Me” is a popular song written by Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis and Gary Troxel that was published in 1959 and was performed by The Fleetwoods, composed of Christopher, Troxel, and Ellis. It was the first release for the new Dolphin Records label. Recording the song at home, the group sang it a cappella with the rhythmic shaking of Troxel’s car keys. The tape was then sent to Los Angeles where the sparse instrumental accompaniment was added, including an acoustic guitar played by Bonnie Guitar. Released in 1959, the single reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in April. (More from Wikipedia)
Surprisingly, two of their stellar ballads hit #1 on the charts in 1959 in quick succession: “Come Softly to Me” and “Mr. Blue”. Nor was that the end of it: The Fleetwoods had a total of eleven Top 100 hits, with “Tragedy” landing in the Top Ten in 1961. The band called it quits in 1963 but have continued to tour periodically over the years in various incarnations.
(November 2013)
