Product Description
"**Fly Me to the Moon**" (originally titled **"In Other Words"**) Fakebook
is one of the most iconic songs of the 20th century, especially associated with jazz and pop, and made famous by various artists, including Frank Sinatra. The song was written in 1954 by composer and lyricist Bart Howard, and since then, it has become a classic.
### Origin and Composition
Bart Howard wrote the song intending to create something simpler and more direct, in contrast to the more complex songs popular at the time. Inspired by the style of Cole Porter, he crafted a romantic and engaging melody. Initially, the songs title was **"In Other Words"**, and the phrase "Fly me to the moon" was just part of the lyrics, but over time, the phrase became so memorable that the title was informally changed to **"Fly Me to the Moon"**.
### First Recording and Success
The song was first recorded in 1954 by singer Kaye Ballard, but it gained wider recognition when **Peggy Lee** performed it on a television show. Numerous artists recorded their versions over the years, but the most famous recording came in 1964, when **Frank Sinatra** included his version arranged by Quincy Jones on the album *It Might as Well Be Swing*, accompanied by the **Count Basie Orchestra**.
### Connection to Space Exploration
Interestingly, the songs popularity coincided with the space exploration era. Sinatras recording became particularly symbolic when NASA adopted the song during the Apollo program. Sinatra's version was played during the Apollo 10 mission and was also part of the Apollo 11 playlist, the first mission that took humans to the moon in 1969.
### Cultural Impact
"Fly Me to the Moon" is a timeless song, re-recorded by countless artists in various genres and styles, including jazz, bossa nova, and even pop. Its romantic lyrics and the theme of traveling to the moon captured the imagination of generations, connecting romance, adventure, and exploration into a single package.
This song is a symbol of American popular culture and the optimism of the space race era, and it is constantly associated with Sinatra's legacy and classic jazz.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.