Introduction

“If” by Perry Como is a timeless ballad that resonates with its heartfelt lyrics and soothing melody. Released in 1951, the song showcases Perry Como’s velvety voice and impeccable phrasing, captivating listeners with its tender sentiment and romantic allure. With its evocative lyrics and gentle orchestration, “If” continues to touch the hearts of audiences, reaffirming Perry Como’s status as one of the most beloved crooners of his time. Join us as we explore the enchanting world of Perry Como’s “If.”

Did You Know?

  • “If” was written by Tolchard Evans and Robert Hargreaves, with lyrics by Stanley Damerell. It was first recorded by British crooner Al Bowlly in 1934 before Perry Como’s rendition popularized the song in the United States.
  • Perry Como’s recording of “If” reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts, solidifying his reputation as a chart-topping artist.
  • The song’s poignant lyrics and Como’s emotive delivery struck a chord with listeners, earning it widespread acclaim and enduring popularity.
  • “If” remains a staple in Perry Como’s repertoire and continues to be cherished by fans of classic vocal music for its timeless beauty and romantic charm.

Video

Lyrics: If

If they made me a king
I’d be but a slave to you
If I had everything
I’d still be a slave to you
If I ruled the night
Stars and moon so bright
Still I’d turn for light to youIf the world to me bowed
Yet, humbly I’d flee to you
If my friends were a crowd
I’d turn in my need to you
If I ruled the earth
What would life be worth
If I hadn’t the right to you

[Instrumental Interlude]

If I ruled the night
Stars and moon so bright
Still I’d turn for light to you
If the world to me bowed
Yet, humbly I’d flee to you
If my friends were a crowd
I’d turn in my need to you
If I ruled the earth
What would life be worth
If I hadn’t the right to you

You Missed

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?