The Nearness of You - wikipedia The Nearness of You This article is about the 1938 song. For other articles with the same title, see The Nearness of You ( disambiguation ). `` The Nearness of You '' Single by Glenn Miller A-side `` The Nearness of You '' B - side `` Mister Meadowlark '' Released 1940 ( 1940 ) Recorded 1940 Genre Jazz Label Bluebird Songwriter ( s ) Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington `` The Nearness of You '' is a popular song written in 1938 by Hoagy Carmichael, with lyrics by Ned Washington. The song debuted in a 1940 recording by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle. Contents 1 Covers 2 Cover versions 3 See also 4 References 5 External links Covers The first big - selling version was recorded on April 28, 1940 by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, with a vocal by Ray Eberle ( Bluebird catalog number B - 10745 - A ). This recording first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on July 20, 1940 ( though this is misleading, as this was Billboard 's first chart ) and lasted eight weeks on the chart, peaking at # 5. Other popular contemporary versions were recorded by Kay Kyser 's orchestra ( vocal : Harry Babbitt, Columbia catalog number 35488 ), by Dinah Shore with Paul Weston 's orchestra ( Bluebird catalog number 10793 ), and by Eddy Howard with Lou Adrian 's orchestra ( Columbia catalog number 35511 ). In 1953, Bob Manning reached # 16 on the pop charts with this song on Capitol Records # 2383. The 1956 Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong album of duets, Ella & Louis, included a version of this song with Fitzgerald soloing vocally while Armstrong soloed both vocally and on trumpet. Accompaniment was provided by the small combo of the Oscar Peterson Trio featuring Peterson on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Herb Ellis on guitar, joined by Buddy Rich on drums. The album charted at # 1 on Billboard 's Jazz charts, and the Top - 10 on its Pop charts. Jonathan Frakes ( 2 ) performed the song on trombone in `` 11001001 '' ( 1988 ), the 15th episode of Star Trek : The Next Generation, while in a holographic simulation of a 1958 New Orleans bar. Sheena Easton released her version from her standards album in No Strings ( 1993 ) and for the soundtrack of Indecent Proposal ( 1993 ), in which she appears in a cameo singing the song with Herbie Hancock playing the piano in the movie. Steve Buscemi sang / cried a version of the song as the character Happy Franks in the film The Impostors ( 1998 ), after the band leader protests that it is a little slow. The song was performed by Norah Jones on her album Come Away With Me ( 2002 ), and ( partially ) in the film Two Weeks Notice ( 2002 ). It was also performed by Diana Krall on the Geoff Keezer album, Turn Up the Quiet. A well - known bootleg recording exists featuring the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards performing a solo version, accompanying himself on piano. Richards performed the song live during the Stones ' 2002 - 2003 Licks Tour. A performance was captured and released on the live album Live Licks ( 2004 ). German jazz and pop artist Marc Secara recorded the song with the Berlin Jazz Orchestra on the CD You 're Everything ( 2008 ) ; this was arranged for big band by Steve Gray. Norah Jones performed the song live at the Steve Jobs Memorial / Celebration of Life, at the Apple, Inc. corporate headquarters on October 19, 2011. Cover versions Paul Anka Ray Anthony Eddy Arnold Shirley Bassey Perla Batalla Brook Benton Jackie Gleason Pat Boone Boston Pops Orchestra Connee Boswell ( Decca ) with `` Blueberry Hill '' James Brown Michael Brecker and James Taylor Les Brown Ray Brown Chick Bullock ( recorded April 26, 1940, Vocalion ) with `` Fools Rush In '' Cake Hoagy Carmichael Bill Charlap Larry Clinton ( recorded May 22, 1940, Victor ) with `` When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano '' Rosemary Clooney Arnett Cobb Nat King Cole Cy Coleman ( MGM ) with `` You Call It Madness '' Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1954 for use on his radio show and it was subsequently included in the box set The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings ( 1954 - 56 ) issued by Mosaic Records ( catalog MD7 - 245 ) in 2009. Vic Damone Dorothy Dandridge Sammy Davis, Jr. ( 1957, UK, Brunswick ) with `` Mad Ball '' Bill Doggett ( 1970 King ) with `` Moon Dust '' Bill Doggett Quartet ( King ) with `` Honey '' Lou Donaldson ( Blue Note ) with `` Mack the Knife '' The Dorsey Brothers Jimmy Dorsey Sheena Easton Ray Eberle Percy Faith Robert Farnon Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on Ella and Louis ( Verve, 1956 ) The Flamingos ( 1965 Philips ) with `` Do n't Cheat On Me '' The Four Freshmen Golden Anniversary Celebrations ( 2001 ) Judy Garland Red Garland Crystal Gayle Stan Getz Dizzy Gillespie Robert Goulet Stephane Grappelli Lionel Hampton Roy Hargrove Johnny Hartman Hash Brown ( 1963, Philips ) with `` I Got My Job Through The New York Times '' Ray Herbeck ( Vocalion ) with `` When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano '' Woody Herman ( recorded June 25, 1950, Capitol ) with `` Johannesburg '' Fred Hersch Billie Holiday Eddy Howard ( Columbia ) with `` Fools Fall in Love '' Leslie Hutchinson Milt Jackson Etta James Harry James ( recorded May 1940, Varsity ) with `` Mister Meadowlark '' Joni James ( 1956, MGM ) with `` Let There Be Love '', also included in her album Let There Be Love Dr. John Norah Jones Marie Knight ( 1963 Diamond ) and in Canada by Apex both with `` Walk Away '' Kay Kyser ( recorded April 30, 1940, Columbia ) with `` Blue Lovebird '' Natalia Lafourcade called ' Te Vi Pasar ( mas cerca de mi ) ' Annie Lennox Abbey Lincoln and Hank Jones on When There is Love ( February 22, 1994, Polygram ) Guy Lombardo ( Decca ) with `` Blue Lovebird '' Julie London Barbara Mandrell Bob Manning ( Capitol ) and by Australian Capitol, both with the flip side `` Gypsy Girl '' ; also by UK Capitol in 1953 with the flip side `` All I Desire '' Mat Mathews Quintet ( released 1952 by Brunswick ) with `` Bag 's Groove '' Brad Mehldau Byron Melcher Helen Merrill Glenn Miller Mina Matt Monro Little Joey Morant ( Mala, 1960 ) with `` The Great Pretender '' Gerry Mulligan Peter Mulvey Ricky Nelson Willie Nelson Eva Olmerová Charlie Parker Della Reese on An Evening with Della Reese, 1958 Dianne Reeves Joe Reisman Orchestra and Chorus Marty Robbins Amália Rodrigues Rolling Stones Al Romero ( RCA Victor ) with `` Keep It Gay '' The Roommates ( 1963, Philips ) with `` Do n't Cheat On Me '' George Shearing The Swingin 's Mutual ! ( with Nancy Wilson ) ( 1961 ) Dinah Shore ( recorded June 25, 1940, Bluebird ) with `` Maybe '' Frank Sinatra Keely Smith Tab Smith ( Checker ) and by Quality Records in Canada both with `` Because of You '' Jo Stafford The Stepping Stones ( 1963, Philips ) with `` I Get My Job Through The New York Times '' Rod Stewart Ted Straeter ( MGM ) with `` Everything I Love '' Barbra Streisand Reinhold Svensson ( recorded September 19, 1950, Discovery ) with `` Strike Up the Band '' Inga Swearengen Andrea Tessa Three Sounds ( Blue Note ) with `` One For Renee '' Steve Tyrell Sarah Vaughan Johnny `` Guitar '' Watson ( King ) Elisabeth Welch Vic West ( Planet, 1957 ( Australia ) with `` This Love of Mine '' ) Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio See also List of 1930s jazz standards References Jump up ^ Maycock, Ben. `` Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals ( The Nearness of You ) ''. jazzstandards.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016. ^ Jump up to : Gardner, Edward Foote ( 2000 ). Popular Songs of the 20th Century : Chart Detail & Encyclopedia, 1900 - 1949. St. Paul, Minnesota : Paragon House. ISBN 1 - 55778 - 789 - 1. ^ Jump up to : `` Bluebird Records in the 10500 to 10999 series ''. 78discography.com. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 1973 ). Top Pop Records 1940 - 1955. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin : Record Research. ^ Jump up to : `` Columbia Records in the 35200 to 35499 series ''. 78discography.com. ^ Jump up to : `` Columbia Records in the 35500 to 35999 series ''. 78discography.com. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 1986 ). Pop Memories 1890 - 1954. Record Research Inc. p. 293. ISBN 0 - 89820 - 083 - 0. Jump up ^ Abrams, Steven & Settlemier, Tyrone ( November 1, 2011 ). `` Capitol 2000 - 2500, numerical listing discography ''. Online Discographical Project. Retrieved December 7, 2011. CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter ( link ) Jump up ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media ( 24 November 1956 ). `` Billboard ''. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. -- via Google Books. Jump up ^ Secara, Marc & Berlin Jazz Orchestra & Gray, Steve ( arr. ). You 're Everything ( CD ). CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter ( link ) Track # 2. ^ Jump up to : `` DECCA ( USA ) 78rpm numerical listing discography : 3000 - 3500 ''. 78discography.com. ^ Jump up to : `` Vocalion 78rpm numerical listing discography 5500 - 5600 ''. 78discography.com. Jump up ^ `` VICTOR numerical listing discography ''. 78discography.com. ^ Jump up to : `` MGM Records - 78rpm numerical listing discography : 30500 - end of series ''. 78discography.com. Jump up ^ `` A Bing Crosby Discography ''. BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved December 8, 2017. Jump up ^ `` allmusic.com ''. allmusic.com. Retrieved December 8, 2017. Jump up ^ Productions, Global Dog. `` Singles Discography for Brunswick Records - UK - 05000 series ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 Discography for King Records - 6000 series ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ `` KING 78rpm numerical listing discography : 4000 - 4500 ''. 78discography.com. ^ Jump up to : Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 Discography for Blue Note Records ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. ^ Jump up to : Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 discography for Philips Records ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ `` Capitol 1000 - 1500, 78rpm numerical listing discography ''. 78discography.com. Jump up ^ `` Varsity 78rpm numerical listing discography : 5000 series ''. 78discography.com. ^ Jump up to : Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 Discography for Diamond Records ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. ^ Jump up to : `` Singles Discography for Apex Records - 76000 series - CA ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. ^ Jump up to : `` Capitol 2000 - 2500, 78rpm numerical listing discography ''. 78discography.com. ^ Jump up to : Productions, Global Dog. `` 78 Discography for Capitol Records - OZ ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ `` 78 Discography for Capitol Records - UK CL 13000 series ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 Discography for Brunswick Records - US ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 Discography for Mala Records ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ `` Original versions of The Nearness of You written by Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington - SecondHandSongs ''. www.secondhandsongs.com. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) ^ Jump up to : `` Checker Records 78rpm numerical listing discography ''. 78discography.com. ^ Jump up to : Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 discography for Checker Records ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. ^ Jump up to : Productions, Global Dog. `` Singles Discography for Quality Records - CA - K series ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. Jump up ^ `` DISCOVERY 78rpm numerical listing discography ''. 78discography.com. Jump up ^ `` ♫ Learning How To Fly - Inga Swearingen. Listen @ cdbaby ''. cdbaby.com. Jump up ^ Productions, Global Dog. `` 45 Discography for Planet Records - OZ ''. www.globaldogproductions.info. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics hide Glenn Miller Glenn Miller Orchestra The Modernaires The Crew Chiefs Compositions `` Moonlight Serenade '' `` Room 1411 ( Goin ' to Town ) '' `` Sold American '' `` Solo Hop '' `` Introduction to a Waltz '' `` Annie 's Cousin Fannie '' `` Dese Dem Dose '' `` When Icky Morgan Plays the Organ '' `` Doin ' the Jive '' `` Community Swing '' `` Sometime '' `` Boom Shot '' `` Seven - O - Five '' `` I Sustain the Wings '' `` I 'm Headin ' for California '' `` I Swung the Election '' `` Wings on Parade : The Flaming Sword of Liberation '' `` After Tonight '' `` Morning Mood '' `` The Technical Training Command '' `` Jinky '' `` Let 's Give Them a Break '' `` SHAEF Presents '' `` Chesterfield # 1 '' `` Chesterfield # 2 '' `` 125 Jazz Breaks for Trombone '' `` You 're Breakin ' Me Down '' `` Tomorrow 's Another Day '' `` Harlem Chapel Chimes '' `` Basin Street Blues '' Billboard hit records Solo Hop ( 1935 ) Every Day 's a Holiday ( 1938 ) Moonlight Serenade ( 1939 ) Little Brown Jug ( 1939 ) The Woodpecker Song ( 1940 ) Pennsylvania 6 - 5000 ( 1940 ) Tuxedo Junction ( 1940 ) In the Mood ( 1940 ) Stardust ( 1940 ) Danny Boy ( 1940 ) Crosstown ( 1940 ) The Nearness of You ( 1940 ) The Song of the Volga Boatmen ( 1941 ) It Happened in Sun Valley ( 1941 ) Chattanooga Choo Choo ( 1941 ) I Know Why ( And So Do You ) ( 1941 ) Elmer 's Tune ( 1941 ) I Dreamt I Dwelt in Harlem ( 1941 ) A String of Pearls ( 1942 ) Moonlight Cocktail ( 1942 ) ( I 've Got a Gal In ) Kalamazoo ( 1942 ) At Last ( 1942 ) American Patrol ( 1942 ) Serenade In Blue ( 1942 ) That Old Black Magic ( 1943 ) It Must Be Jelly ( ' Cause Jam Do n't Shake like That ) ( 1944 ) Here We Go Again ( 1944 ) Albums Glenn Miller ( 1945 ) Glenn Miller Masterpieces, Volume II ( 1947 ) Glenn Miller Plays Selections From the Film `` The Glenn Miller Story '' ( 1954 ) The Glenn Miller Carnegie Hall Concert ( 1958 ) Pure Gold ( 1975 ) Civilian Band alumni Trigger Alpert Ray Anthony Tex Beneke Johnny Best Ernie Caceres Addison Collins Jr. Johnny Desmond Ray Eberle Jerry Gray Bobby Hackett Peanuts Hucko Al Klink Jack Lathrop Norman Leyden Hal McIntyre Ray McKinley Artie Malvin Billy May Ralph Patt Mel Powell Wilbur Schwartz George Siravo Charlie Spivak Kay Starr Paul Tanner Filmography The Big Broadcast of 1936 ( 1935 ) Sun Valley Serenade ( 1941 ) Orchestra Wives ( 1942 ) Film short Upbeat in Music ( 1943 ) Books Glenn Miller 's Method for Orchestral Arranging ( 1943 ) Related articles Discography Bluebird Records RCA Victor Brunswick Records Dorsey Brothers Orchestra The Glenn Miller Story The Glenn Miller Story ( soundtrack ) ( 1954 ) Glenn Miller Orchestra ( 1956 -- present ) Glenn Miller Time Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nearness_of_You&oldid=848042955 '' Categories : Songs with music by Hoagy Carmichael Songs with lyrics by Ned Washington 1938 songs Glenn Miller songs Jo Stafford songs Shirley Bassey songs Sheena Easton songs 1930s jazz standards Barbra Streisand songs Jazz compositions in F major Bluebird Records singles Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from October 2016 Articles with unsourced statements from January 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Italiano Suomi Edit links This page was last edited on 29 June 2018, at 12 : 36 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who wrote the song the nearness of you
Answer: Hoagy Carmichael