DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the question about a couple of popular songs from approximately 1958, two songs immediately came to mind, even though I was only 13 at the time, young but not yet in love.

The first is “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing” from the movie of the same name, music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, first recorded by the Four Aces in 1955.

The second is “Moments to Remember,” words and music by Al Stillman and Robert Allen, recorded by The Four Lads in 1955. Both can be found on YouTube. I hope this helps your reader. Thanks for your always interesting column. — Music Lover, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots’ in box was overwhelmed with responses to this question. Dozens of readers — too many to use them all in the column — wrote in with their memories. Most readers agreed on the first song, but the “remember” drew two responses.

One thing Sun Spots is sure of is that a good many of her readers are of the generation that came of age in the 1950s!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding a reader’s Jan. 8 request for two songs from the 1950s. I’m betting that the first is “Love is a Many Splendored Thing, ” the title of the Academy Award-winning theme song from the 1955 movie of the same name starring Jennifer Jones and William Holden.

The second song may be “Try to Remember” sung by the late Jerry Orbach (yes, he of “Law and Order” detecting) in the original off-Broadway hit, “The Fantasticks,” in the early 1960s. A great many artists have sung and recorded each of these songs: The Four Aces, Englebert Humperdink, Jerry Vale, Frank Sinatra, Ed Ames, the list goes on and on.

Thank you, No Name, for stirring many of my memories. Re: Sun Spots’ remark, “Perhaps a reader who was young and in love in 1958 will be able to help”: Weren’t we all? And thanks heaps, Sun Spots, for making my day.

I look forward to reading Sun Spots each morning knowing that I will be educated, amused and occasionally perplexed by you and your readers. Hope that this time I can be of help. — Pat Troy, Casco, buttry@fairpoint.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots fired up the YouTube version of “Try to Remember” and was stunned by the beauty of Orbach’s singing.

The title of the song didn’t ring any bells, but once she heard it, she realized she’d sung it in Girl Scouts in the late 1960s. Now, thanks to Pat from Casco, she has the words and can entertain Mr. Sun Spots on long winter evenings.

Lyrics for “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing”

Love is a many splendored thing,

It’s the April rose, that only grows,

In the early spring,

Love is nature’s way of giving,

A reason to be living,

The golden crown that makes a man a king,

Once on a high and windy hill,

In the morning mist,

Two lovers kissed,

And the world stood still,

Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing,

Yes, true love’s a many splendored thing.

Lyrics for “Try To Remember”

Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh, so mellow.

Try to remember the kind of September when grass was green and grain was yellow.

Try to remember the kind of September you were a tender and callow fellow.

Try to remember and if you remember, then follow, follow (echo)

Try to remember when life was so tender that no one wept except the willow.

Try to remember when life was so tender that dreams were kept beside your pillow.

Try to remember when life was so tender that love was an ember about to billow. (chorus)

Deep in December it’s nice to remember although you know the snow will follow.

Deep in December it’s nice to remember without a hurt the heart is hollow.

Deep in December it’s nice to remember it’s nice to remember the fire of September that made you mellow (chorus)

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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