Here (1953)

The Perkins House in Colfax, WA has a large number of historical items. Including phonograph records, many more than a hundred years old and containing songs seldom if ever heard today. These records are made of shellac, not vinyl. We in the Perkins House are honored to share our collection with you.


Here

RCA VICTOR – 20-5665 A
Dorcas Cochran, Harold Grant, composers
Tony Martin, vocalist
Henri Rene’s Orchestra and Chorus, musicians
Issued 1953


"Here" is a popular song, with music written by Harold Grant and lyrics by Dorcas Cochran, published in 1954. (Most sources show music and lyrics by both, but Cochran was a lyricist and Grant a composer.) The melody was adapted from the operatic aria, "Caro Nome," from the opera
Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi.

A hit version was recorded by Tony Martin on December 26, 1953. Martin was one of the most popular singers in America during the 1940’s until music tastes changed in the 60’s. This recording was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5665. It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on March 17, 1954, and lasted 16 weeks on the chart, peaking at #7.



In 1929, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) purchased the Victor Talking Machine Company, then the world's largest manufacturer of phonographs (including the famous "Victrola") and phonograph records. The company then became the RCA Victor Division of RCA. In absorbing Victor, RCA acquired the New World rights to the famous Nipper/"His Master's Voice" trademark. RCA was in turn absorbed and is now part of Sony Group Corporation.