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7 Things to Know About ‘I Believe,’ The 1953 Hit That First Set the Just-Tied Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 in the UK
Frankie Laine's 1953 hit "I Believe" has just lost its solo hold on a UK chart record, after Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's "Rein Me In" equalled its 18-week run at No. 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart. To mark the occasion, here are seven facts about the song that held the record alone for 73 years.
– Co-writer Ervin Drake also wrote "Good Morning Heartache" (recorded by Billie Holiday) and "It Was a Very Good Year" (a Grammy-winning Frank Sinatra hit) – Co-writer Al Stillman penned other standards including "Chances Are" and "Moments to Remember" – Singer Jane Froman commissioned the song in 1950, worried about the Korean War, and the writers finished it in autumn 1952 – Laine's version entered the charts in February 1953, while Froman's own recording followed six weeks later, reaching No. 11 – Producer Mitch Miller oversaw the Laine recording, with Paul Weston and His Orchestra providing the backing – In the US, Laine's version peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's pre-Hot 100 pop chart, kept off top spot by Patti Page's "The Doggie in the Window" – The song has since featured on inspirational albums by artists including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand and Mahalia Jackson
In short
- "I Believe" held the UK No. 1 record alone since 1953
- Sam Fender & Olivia Dean's "Rein Me In" has now tied it
- Song was commissioned in 1950 amid Korean War fears
Explained simply
"I Believe" is a 1953 song recorded by Frankie Laine that became one of the most successful singles in UK chart history. It spent 18 weeks at No. 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart, a run that remained unmatched for over seven decades.
The song was written by Ervin Drake and Al Stillman, accomplished songwriters behind numerous popular standards. It was commissioned in 1950 by singer Jane Froman, who sought something reassuring and uplifting as the Korean War began and public anxiety grew.
Laine's recording achieved major success internationally, though in America it peaked at No. 2 on the pop charts, held from the top by Patti Page's "The Doggie in the Window." The song has had an enduring legacy, with recordings by subsequent artists including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand and Mahalia Jackson featured on inspirational albums.