“Fly Me to the Moon,” a timeless classic, has captivated audiences for decades. Famously associated with Frank Sinatra and the Apollo missions, the song’s journey from its inception to global recognition is a fascinating tale. But who is the person behind this iconic melody and heartfelt lyrics? The answer lies with Bart Howard, a talented songwriter who penned this masterpiece in 1954, originally titling it “In Other Words.”
While Frank Sinatra’s 1964 rendition propelled “Fly Me to the Moon” to international fame, the song’s initial journey began with Kaye Ballard. It was Ballard who first commercially recorded “In Other Words” in April 1954, released by Decca Records. A Billboard review from May of that year described it as “a love song sung with feeling,” noting its release as the B-side to “Lazy Afternoon,” a song Ballard was performing in the stage show “The Golden Apple.”
In the years following Kaye Ballard’s initial recording, “In Other Words” began to circulate within jazz and cabaret circles. Several artists, including Chris Connor, Johnny Mathis, Portia Nelson, and Nancy Wilson, released their own interpretations on EPs and LPs, further showcasing the song’s versatility and appeal. Eydie Gormé’s 1958 album, “Eydie In Love,” featuring the song, achieved significant recognition, reaching #20 on the Cashbox Album Charts and earning a Grammy nomination, demonstrating the song’s growing popularity even before it was widely known as “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Peggy Lee played a pivotal role in popularizing the song and solidifying its now-famous title. In 1960, Lee included “In Other Words” on her album “Pretty Eyes.” Her subsequent performance of the song on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” a highly popular television program, brought it to a much wider audience. As its popularity soared, the song became increasingly recognized as “Fly Me to the Moon.” By 1963, Peggy Lee’s influence led Bart Howard to officially change the title to “Fly Me to the Moon,” embracing the name that resonated with the public. The song’s international appeal also began to emerge, with Connie Francis releasing non-English versions in Italian (“Portami Con Te”) and Spanish (“Llévame a la Luna”) in 1963.
Adding another dimension to the song’s history, Joe Harnell created an instrumental bossa nova arrangement in 1962. Released as a single, Harnell’s version climbed to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1963 and reached #4 on Billboard’s Middle-Road Singles chart. It was also ranked #89 in Billboard’s “Top Records of 1963.” Harnell’s instrumental rendition not only broadened the song’s appeal but also earned him a Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra – for Dancing at the 5th Annual Grammy Awards, highlighting the song’s adaptability across genres.
Frank Sinatra’s 1964 rendition, featured on his album “It Might as Well Be Swing” with Count Basie’s orchestra, arranged by Quincy Jones, cemented “Fly Me to the Moon” as a true standard. Quincy Jones, who had previously worked with Count Basie and arranged the song for Basie’s album “This Time by Basie,” reimagined it for Sinatra with an energized, swinging tempo. As music critic Will Friedwald noted, Sinatra’s version “all but explodes with energy,” giving the song a new, dynamic interpretation. By the time Sinatra recorded it, Bart Howard estimated that over 100 versions of “Fly Me to the Moon” already existed, a testament to its widespread appreciation within a decade of its composition.
Beyond these iconic versions, “Fly Me to the Moon” continued to be reinterpreted across genres and decades. Bobby Womack’s 1968 R&B version reached #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #16 on the R&B chart, showcasing its crossover potential. Even in popular culture, the song found its way into unexpected places, such as an instrumental sample used as a doorbell melody in the TV series WKRP. By 1995, the song had been recorded over 300 times, demonstrating its enduring appeal. Its presence in Japanese anime, like “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” and video games, such as “Bayonetta,” further illustrates its global and lasting impact.
In conclusion, while “Fly Me to the Moon” is celebrated through countless performances, its origin story begins with Bart Howard. Composed in 1954 under the initial title “In Other Words,” Howard’s song has journeyed through various interpretations and cultural moments to become the beloved classic we know today. From Kaye Ballard’s first recording to Sinatra’s definitive version and beyond, the song’s enduring legacy is a testament to Bart Howard’s exceptional songwriting talent and the timeless appeal of “Fly Me to the Moon.”
