Almost Like Being in Love

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"Almost Like Being in Love" is a popular song published and first performed in 1947. The music was written by Frederick Loewe, and the lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner as part of the score for the musical Brigadoon. The song was sung by David Brooks in the 1947 Broadway production. It was later performed in the 1954 film version by Gene Kelly.

There were three hit versions of the song in the United States in 1947. Frank Sinatra's version was the highest charting at no. 20. Mildred Bailey and Mary Martin both charted with the song at no. 21 that year.

Nat King Cole recorded more than one version of the song, including a later version that was used as the closing song in the 1993 movie Groundhog Day which starred Bill Murray. Cole's version, in the key of G major like the original, features a ii-V-I turnaround (2-5-1) in G, a pair of similar 2-5-1 sequences in E major and D major for the bridge, after which it raises the refrain a half-step with a 2-5-1 in A flat major.

Frank Sinatra rerecorded the song for his 1961 album Come Swing with Me!; this is the version generally heard today. The song was also made popular by Shirley Bassey. Like Judy Garland, Bassey performed this song as a medley with the song, "This Can't Be Love".

Video Almost Like Being in Love

Michael Johnson version

"Almost Like Being in Love" was revived in a downbeat ballad version by singer Michael Johnson (U.S. no. 32, 1978). His rendition became a Top 10 Adult Contemporary hit in both the U.S. (no. 4) and Canada (no. 10).

Maps Almost Like Being in Love

Other versions

Musicians who have recorded "Almost Like Being in Love" include:

Lester Young - Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio (1952)
Sonny Rollins and the Modern Jazz Quartet - Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet (1953)
Nat King Cole - Nat King Cole Sings for Two in Love (1955)
Bing Crosby - recorded the song for his radio show in 1957 and it was subsequently released on CD.
Red Garland - Red Garland's Piano (1957)
Della Reese - A Date With Della Reese At Mr. Kelly's In Chicago (1958)
Cliff Richard (1960)
Frank Sinatra - Come Swing with Me! (1961)
Stan Kenton and His Orchestra - Adventures in Standards (1961 - released 1975)
In 1961, Judy Garland performed the song as a medley with "This Can't Be Love" at her Judy at Carnegie Hall concert
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Sings Broadway (1963)
Johnny Hartman - Unforgettable Songs (1966)
Dean Martin (1973)
Melanie Safka - Sunset and Other Beginnings (1975)
Marti Webb - Performance (1989)
Natalie Cole - Unforgettable... with Love (1991)
Anthony Warlow - Back In The Swing (1993)
Woody Allen as Z-4195 from Antz (1998, short rendition)
Steve Rochinski - Otherwise (2000)
Rufus Wainwright - Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (2007)
Jermaine Jackson - I Wish You Love (2012)
New York Voices Live with the WDR Big Band Cologne (2013)
Seth MacFarlane - In Full Swing (2017)