"Harbor Lights" is a popular song by Hugh Williams
(pseudonym for Will Grosz) with lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy. This
song was originally sung by Frances Langford in 1937 and was
published in 1950.
The song has been recorded by many artists; charting
versions were recorded by Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Bing
Crosby, Ray Anthony, Ralph Flanagan, Elvis Presley, The
Platters (peaking at #8 on the
Billboardcharts in 1960), and Ken Griffin. Other
versions were recorded by Willie Nelson, Vera Lynn, The Ink
Spots and Jon Rauhouse. It was recorded in Polish by Irena
Santor as "Portowe Światła".
The biggest-selling version was recorded by the Sammy Kaye
orchestra. The recording was released by Columbia Records as a
78rpm single and a 45rpm single. The record first reached the
Billboardcharts on September 1, 1950 and lasted 25
weeks, peaking at #1.
The Guy Lombardo orchestra recording of August 24, 1950 was
released by Decca Records. The record first reached the
Billboardcharts on October 6, 1950 and lasted 20 weeks,
peaking at #2.
The Bing Crosby recording was released by Decca Records. The
record first reached the
Billboardcharts on November 3, 1950 and lasted 11 weeks,
peaking at #10.
The Ray Anthony orchestra recording was released by Capitol
Records. The flip side was "Nevertheless." The record first
reached the
Billboardcharts on October 20, 1950 and lasted 15 weeks
on the chart, peaking at #15.
The Ralph Flanagan orchestra recording was released by RCA
Victor Records. The record first reached the
Billboardcharts on October 27, 1950 and lasted 5 weeks,
peaking at #27.
The Ken Griffin recording was released by Columbia Records.
The record reached the
Billboardcharts on October 20, 1950 and lasted only one
week, charting at #27.