When You Were Sweet Sixteen

~ from the Bing Crosby Productions, Inc., Picture "The Great John L."

Words and Music by James Thornton and Published 1898

Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. ~ ASCAP

1st recording 1947 ~

Orchestra Conducted by Lloyd Shaffer

with the Satisfiers

Produced by Charles Grean

Recorded at RCA Victor Studio 2, New York City

Recording Time 3:10

Recorded April 10, 1947 ~ Matrix No. D7VB - 0248 Take 1 - 1A

SESSION MUSICIANS

April 10, 1947

A&R Production Charles Grean

Orchestra

EVENING 7:00 TO 10:00 PM

NO OVERTIME

Leader: Lloyd Shaffer

Contractor: Richard Kissinger

Sax ~ Arthur Baker

Sax ~ Arthur Owen

Sax ~ Nicholas Caiazza

Sax ~ Albert Klink

Sax ~ Edwin Hellman

Violin ~ Sylvan Shulman

Violin ~ William Lockwood

Violin ~ Mac Ceppos

Violin ~ Luisa Piarulli

Violin ~ Henry Berv

Violin ~ Max Senofsky

Violin ~ Robert Freda

Viola ~ Samuel Persoff

Cello ~ Emil Borsody

Drums ~ Terry Snyder

Bass ~ Frank Carroll

Trumpet ~ Emanuel Weinstock

Trumpet ~ Bernard Privin

Trumpet ~ John Owens

Trombone ~ John D'agostino

Trombone ~ George Arus

Trombone ~ Frank Saracco

Piano ~ Henry Rowland

Guitar ~ Allen Hanlen

Harp ~ Edw. Vito

Single release: RCA-78RPM-20-2259-B

Single Flip Side: "Chi-Baba Chi-Baba ( My Bambino Go To Sleep )"

US Chart Position No. 2 ( 1 Week ) Chart Debut: August 23, 1947

UK Single release: HMV-78RPM-BD-1180 ( November 1947 )

Single Flip Side: "Chi-Baba Chi-Baba ( My Bambino Go To Sleep )"

Single release: RCA-78RPM-20-3300-A ( P-237 )

Single release: RCA-45RPM 47-2888 ( 1949 )

Single Flip Side: "Song of Songs"

RCA Gold Standard Series 78/45-RPM-420/447-0103

Single Flip Side: "A Hubba-Hubba-Hubba ( Dig You Later )"

RCA Gold Standard Series 78/45-RPM-420/447-0816

Single Flip Side: "Magic Moments"

Who could have imagined that such a sweet and simple song as this would become a million-seller in the troubled, complicated year of 1947? Perry's lovely, thoughtful performance had a great deal to do with making it a smash. But "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" also brought listeners back to an earlier era when life was easier and less complex. James Thornton, a drinking companion of the legendary world-champion boxer John L. Sullivan, wrote the song at the turn of the century.

( notes from "The Incomparable Como" Readers Digest UK compilation 1975 )