So Rare

Jimmy Dorsey

About So Rare

"So Rare" is a popular song published in 1937 by composer Jerry Herst and lyricist Jack Sharpe. It became a hit for Jimmy Dorsey in 1957. The version by Carl Ravell and his Orchestra, from a session on 4 June 1937, may be the earliest recording of the song, although it is unclear whether it was the first released version. The earliest popular versions of "So Rare" were the 1937 releases by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians and by Gus Arnheim and his Coconut Grove Orchestra. Before it had been recorded or even published, Fred Astaire had sung "So Rare" on his radio show The Packard Hour. This was the recollection of Jess Oppenheimer, then a writer for the show, who recommended the song on behalf of his friend Jerry Herst, then an "aspiring songwriter". According to Oppenheimer, this led to "So Rare" being "snapped up by a publisher who heard it on the program". Since 1937, "So Rare" has been recorded by numerous artists, but it notably became a late-career hit in 1957 for Jimmy Dorsey, reaching #2 on Billboard magazine's pop charts, and #4 on the R&B singles chart. Recorded on 11 November 1956 and released on the Cincinnati label Fraternity, Jimmy Dorsey's version, which had a decidedly rhythm and blues feel unlike the earlier versions, became the highest charting song by a big band during the first decade of the rock and roll era. Credited on the label to "Jimmy Dorsey with Orchestra and Chorus", the vocals are by the Artie Malvin Singers. Billboard ranked this version as the No. 5 song for 1957. 


Year:
2000
2:33
2,095 
#1

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What is so rare as a day in June?
'Till now we have never been told
The old question's answered by one that is new
What is so rare, dear, as you?
 
So rare, you're like the fragrance of blossoms fair
Sweet as a breath of air
Fresh with the morning dew
So rare You're like the sparkle of old champagne
Orchids in cellophane 
Couldn't compare to you 
You are perfection you're my idea 
Of angels singing the Ave Maria
For you're an angel, I breathe and live you
With every beat of the heart that I give you 
So rare, This is a heaven on earth we share
Caring the way we care
Ours is a love so rare
 
So rare, You have the warmth of a Schubert air
Charming and debonaire
Those are the words for you
So rare You have a way that's beyond compare
That "one in a million" air
In everything you do
You have that something, that certain manner
You thrill me more than the "Star Spangled Banner"
You stage a love scene, so sweetly tender
And in that love scene I gladly surrender
So rare, to have a future like yours to share
Sweetheart the way we care

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Jimmy Dorsey

James "Jimmy" Dorsey (February 29, 1904 – June 12, 1957) was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD". He composed the jazz and pop standards "I'm Glad There Is You (In This World of Ordinary People)" and "It's The Dreamer In Me". more »

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Written by: JACK SHARPE, JERRY HERST

Lyrics © THE SONGWRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Record Label
"So Rare" was released under the Fraternity Records label, known for producing a multitude of successful Jazz and Pop records.
Performers
"So Rare" is actually associated with two popular musicians - Guy Lombardo and Jimmy Dorsey.
Year of Release
Jimmy Dorsey released his version of "So Rare" in 1957, while Guy Lombardo released his version years earlier in 1937.
Chart Success
Surprisingly, Jimmy Dorsey's rendition of "So Rare" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 26 weeks. It was the last big band recording to reach the top ten, marking an end to the big band era.
Genre
"So Rare" is a beautiful blend of jazz and pop, indicative of the popular music styles of the time.
Lombardo's Style
Guy Lombardo was known for his "sweet" style of dance band music, which strongly contrasted with the swing bands of the era. His rendition of "So Rare" reflects this sweet, mellow style.
Final Hit for Dorsey
The song "So Rare" was the final hit for Jimmy Dorsey before dying of cancer in June 1957, just months after the song's release.
Songwriters
"So Rare" was written by Jerry Herst and Jack Sharpe.
Different Versions
The song "So Rare" has been covered by many artists. Interestingly, the versions by Guy Lombardo and Jimmy Dorsey are the most well-known, despite their distinctive stylistic differences.
Posthumous Recognition
After Jimmy Dorsey's version of "So Rare" became a hit, he was honored posthumously with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - one for recording and one for his work in television.

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