It Isn't Fair

"It Isn't Fair"
Song by Sammy Kaye
Language	English
Published	1933
Length	3:18
Label	RCA Victor Records
Songwriter(s)	Richard Himber, Frank Warshauer, and Sylvester Sprigato

"It Isn't Fair" is a popular song written by Richard Himber, Frank Warshauer, and Sylvester Sprigato and published in 1933. Isham Jones and His Orchestra (vocal by Rita Smith) had a hit with it the same year.^[1]

1950 revival

The song enjoyed a revival in 1950 when the best-known version was done by Don Cornell and the Sammy Kaye orchestra. This recording was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-3609 (78 rpm) and 47-3115 (45 rpm). It first reached the Billboard Best Sellers chart on February 3, 1950 and lasted for 22 weeks on the chart, peaking at number three.^[2]

Other hits with the song that year were by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (vocal by Buddy Greco); Bill Farrell; and by Les Brown and His Orchestra (vocal by Four Hits and a Miss).^[3]

Bing Crosby sang "It Isn't Fair" twice on his radio show in May 1950, though he never made a commercial recording of the song.^[4]

The song did not appear in the UK's sheet music charts during this period.^[5] However, a British cover version by Steve Conway was released in June 1950.^[6]

Later notable versions

• Dinah Washington included it in her album Music for a First Love (1957).
• Billy Eckstine - recorded it for his album Don't Worry 'Bout Me (1962)

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 241. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
2. Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940-1955. Record Research.
3. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 530. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
4. "A Bing Crosby Discography - Part 4a - Song Index".
5. Henson, Brian (1989). First hits, 1946-1959. Colin Morgan. London: Boxtree. ISBN 1-85283-268-1. OCLC 19389211.
6. Andrews, Frank; Hayes, Jim; Smith, Michael (2010). Columbia Graphophone Company Ltd., 'DB' prefixed catalogue series. and 'LB' clef series. of 10 inch 78 rpm records. City Of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society.