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"If I Never Sing Another Song" is a pop ballad written originally by Alexandra. She named it “Illusionen” (Translation from German to English; Illusions). Contributions and changes were made later by Don Black and Udo Jürgens. English singer Matt Monro was the first to record and release the song in English, with John Burgess producing it.

Background

The song was first written in German in 1967 by Alexandra, who sang the song herself.

The meaning behind the song is about a "superstar who has enjoyed the spotlight and heard all the applause the world has ever made" but being okay with not being able to reach the heights again as he "has tasted everything that fame could bring". It encapsulates being in the twilight of a singers' career.

Matt Monro version

In 1977, Don Black translated the lyrics in English and reworked it. He had previously worked with Monro and had written them originally for him, with help from Udo Jürgens. It was first offered to Frank Sinatra, who turned it down.

Matt Monro sang the song on Saturday Night At The Mill in February 1978, prior to its official release in March 1979, when Matt Monro released the album "If I Never Sing Another Song".

The Matt Monro version was released on his March 1979 album "If I Never sing another song" with great success.

Other versions

In 1980, Joe Longthorne created his own version of the song, becoming one of his most famous songs. A production was made by Vegas Films, which was written and produced by Film director Paul Lacovou.

In 1995, Matt Monro's son, Matt Monro Jnr, released his own version of "If I Never Sing Another Song". He released it alongside a collection of Matt Monro songs, such as On Days Like These, as rearranged duets of himself and his father.

Shirley Bassey had performed first in 1976 and continued to perform her version of it.

"If I Never Sing Another Song" was first sung in English by Connie Francis.

Singers who would also sing "If I never Sing Another Song, usually as their closing number, are Sammy Davis Jr, Johnnie Ray and Frankie Laine.

References

1. If I Never Sing Another Song by Matt Monro, retrieved 2024-12-24
2. Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1977). Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series.
3. Silva, George Batista Da (2021-06-13). Matt Monro No Vinil. Clube de Autores.
4. "Tracks on If I Never Sing Another Song - Matt Monro (1979) | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
5. Monro, Michele (2011-09-23). Matt Monro: The Singer's Singer. Titan Books. ISBN 978-1-84856-950-8.
6. Wilson, Vladimir (2017-04-18). Soldiers of Peace: A Love Chronicle of Moscow and London. Educreation Publishing.
7. Bendig, Volker (2022-09-26). Improvisatorisches und kreatives Klavierspiel: Eine Einführung für die Vokalpraxis mit zahlreichen Hör- und Notenbeispielen (in German). UTB. ISBN 978-3-8252-5769-9.
8. Company, Johnson Publishing (July 1989). Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
9. M.D, Ariston P. Awitan Jr (2021-06-10). The Autobiography of Ariston P. Awitan, Jr., M.D.: Which Prevailed, the Son's Goal or the Father’s Dream?. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-6641-7984-4.
10. Leigh, Spencer (2015-09-25). Frank Sinatra: An Extraordinary Life. McNidder and Grace Limited. ISBN 978-0-85716-088-1.
11. Larkin, Colin (2011-05-27). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
12. https://mattmonro.com/discography-dvds/
13. The Gramophone. C. Mackenzie. 1979.
14. New West. New West Communications Corporation. 1976.
15. "When did Matt Monro release "If I Never Sing Another Song"?". Genius. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
16. McGregor, Jackie (2013-01-31). They Can't Take That Away from Me: Musical Memories That Colour Our Lives. Headline. ISBN 978-1-909520-91-2.
17. Longthorne, Joe (2015-12-03). Joe Longthorne - Sugar in the Morning: The Autobiography. Kings Road Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78418-718-7.
18. "BBC Radio 2 - The Matt Monro Playlist". BBC. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
19. Fiol, J. L. (2016-02-03). Interface. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-5049-9880-2.
20. Cowan, Andy (2023-06-06). B-Side: A Flipsided History of Pop. SCB Distributors. ISBN 978-1-915316-14-1.
21. Larkin, Colin (2011-05-27). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
22. TV Guide. Triangle Publications. 1981.
23. Black, Don (2020-07-23). The Sanest Guy in the Room: A Life in Lyrics. Little, Brown Book Group. ISBN 978-1-4721-3292-5.

• 1967 singles
• 1979 singles
• Matt Monro songs
• Film theme songs
• Songs with lyrics by Don Black (lyricist)