"There Must Be a Way" is a song written by David Saxon, Robert Cook and Sammy Gallop in 1945. The first recording was by Johnnie Johnston with Paul Baron and His Orchestra in the same year.[2]
Background
The song was published in the post–World War II era, part of a wave of sentimental ballads expressing love, longing, and heartbreak — very much in the style of traditional pop and pre-rock balladry. It became a standard in pop and easy listening, covered by many notable artists over the years.
Early recordings
Perry Como recorded the song in a 1947 session with Russ Case and His Orchestra;[3] it was released in June 1948 as the B-side to “Rambling Rose” (RCA Victor 20‑2947). The single "Rambling Rose" spent 14 weeks on the Billboard chart starting July 23, 1948, and reached a peak position of No. 18.[4]
Joni James recorded the song in 1959, it peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 spending 12 weeks there.[5] In another American chart magazine, Cashbox, the single peaked at No. 28.[6] It reached No. 30 on the Canadian singles chart and No. 24 on the UK singles chart.[7] It was her most successful song of the year, and all years after.[8]
Connee Boswell and The Paulette Sisters (1945): An early recording of the song, reflecting its initial popularity.[9] She released the song as a single with the B-side "Something Sentimental".
Later recordings
Jerry Vale (1965): Vale's interpretation of the song was featured on his album "There Goes My Heart", which included many past hits and standards.
Frankie Vaughan recorded the song in 1967,[10] it reached number 7 on the UK singles chart, (staying on the chart for 21 weeks)[11] and number 19 on the Irish Singles Chart.[12] It was his most successful song of the year, and all years after.[11] With the success, he recorded an album with the same name, which was his only charting studio album, reaching No. 22 in the UK.[11]
"There Must Be a Way" by Louis Armstrong was released in 1968, produced by Bob Thiele. It was later included on his album What a Wonderful World.
Jimmy Roselli version
Release
Jimmy Roselli recorded the song in 1967, releasing it as a single with "I'm Yours To Command" on the B-side. It was his first and only single that appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 93 on August 12, 1967.[13] It was his most successful song on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, where it peaked at No. 13,[14] And his most successful single on the CashboxTop 100 Singles chart, where it reached No. 90 and stayed on the it for 9 weeks.[15] The single would also go on to reach No. 2 on Record World's Top Non-Rock chart,[16][17] which was similar to Billboard's Easy Listening chart. On the magazine's 100 Top Pops chart the single would stall at No. 87 and quickly drop out.[18]
Aftermath
The single's success made him rush out two more singles that year, but none cracked the top 100s. Roselli, like Frankie Vaughan, also released an album titled There Must Be a Way in 1967.
