Wanted (Perry Como song)
| "Wanted" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Perry Como | ||||
| B-side | "Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain)" | |||
| Released | January 1954 [1] | |||
| Recorded | 1953 Manhattan Center, New York City | |||
| Length | 3:05 | |||
| Label | RCA Victor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jack Fulton Lois Steele | |||
| Perry Como singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Wanted" is a popular song written by Jack Fulton and Lois Steele. A recording by Perry Como was the most popular version, reaching No. 1 in the US. Al Martino also recorded a version which reached No. 4 in the UK.[2]
Background
[edit]Perry Como recorded a version on December 29, 1953. This song was accompanied by Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra and chorus, and it was recorded at Manhattan Center, New York City.[3] It was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-5647 (in US)[4] and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10691.[5] The flip side of the US version was "Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain)".[6] Como's version of "Wanted" reached No. 1 on Billboard's chart in 1954.[7] It was the most played song on radio as well as on jukebox in the US in 1954, and the second best-selling song of the year.[8]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1954) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[9] | 4 |
| US Best Sellers in Stores (Billboard)[10] | 1 |
| US Cash Box[11] | 1 |
Other recordings
[edit]- Al Martino had a top 10 hit with the song in the United Kingdom.[12]
- An early recorded version is by singer-pianist Moon Mullican.[citation needed]
- Anne Murray recorded the song for her album Croonin' (1993).
Popular culture
[edit]- The song was featured in a Christmas episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati", in a flashback to 12/24/54.
References
[edit]- ^ "Wanted / Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain - RCA Victor - USA". 45cat.com. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "Al Martino". The Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Perry Como Discography". Kokomo.ca. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "RCA Victor 20-5500 - 20-6000 78rpm numerical listing discography". 78discography.com. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ "45worlds.com". 45worlds.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "This Week Best Buy". Billboard. February 8, 1954. p. 30.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 100. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ "1954's Top Popular Records". Billboard. December 25, 1954. p. 17.
- ^ "Perry Como: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Billboard Popularity Chart > Best Sellers in Stores". Billboard. April 24, 1954. p. 38.
- ^ "The Cash Box Best-Selling Singles: Week ending April 17, 1954". Tropicalglen.com.
- ^ Roberts, David (2005). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records. p. 325. ISBN 1-904994-00-8.
