♫ Song of Many Versions♫

A song that has followed us from the 60s onward, been featured in motion picture films, cast as a love song and gospel tune, sung in a chorus and orchestrated, been a hit in multiple languages, has quite a history behind the scenes. The song - Which title, 'Chariot'? or 'I Will Follow Him'? The recording artist - Which one?

More for Today in Music History: April 27, 1963

As with any research, there are always discrepancies in who recorded first and when. This time it even began as a different title, 'Chariot', but  same tune. The music was written by Franck Pourcel (using the pseudonym J.W. Stole) and Paul Mauriat (using the pseudonym Del Roma). It was adapted by Arthur Altman. The English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel.

Here are the versions that I found...

'Chariot' was first recorded by Paola Neri but she lost out in a sales war to rival versions from Britain’s Petula Clark (of "Downtown" fame), Italy’s Betty Curtis and France’s Franck Pourcel. America’s Little Peggy March as a high school freshman scored an international hit with the English version, 'I Will Follow Him'. Peggy's version hit the #1 spot on the U.S. pop charts on April 27, 1963. (For a comparison of the two songs, go HERE!)

Paola Neri
[Unable to locate Paola's version of 'I Will Follow Him'.
This recording provides a sampling of her beautiful voice.]

Petula Clark - 'Chariot'

Petula Clark - 'I Will Follow Him'

Betty Curtis - 'Chariot'

Peggy March - 'I Will Follow Him'

Since its inception 'I Will Follow Him' has been recorded
and re-recorded by renowned and new artists and has
appeared in numerous films.

Whoopie Goldberg - 'I Will Follow Him' in
the movie Sister Act

My favorite...

Andre Rieu - 'I Will Follow Him'
Violinist, conductor & composer with his Johann Strauss Orchestra

Now, I challenge you to go to be tonight and NOT have this song ringing in your head! Hey, could be a worse melody...

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...