"Catch a Falling Star" is a song written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It was made famous by Perry Como who recorded and released his version in late 1957.
The song's melody is similar to a theme heard in Brahms' Academic Festival Overture. Perry Como's recording features the Ray Charles Singers, who sing the refrain as a repeated round.
It was Como's last number one hit in the United States,[2] reaching number 1 on the Billboard "Most Played by Jockeys" chart, but not in the overall top 100, where it reached number 3.[3] It was the first single to receive a Recording Industry Association of America gold record certification, on March 14, 1958.[4] In Canada, the song reached number 12 on the CHUM Charts, February 3, 1958, co-charting with Magic Moments.[5]
Internationally, in 1958, the song also topped the Australian charts. In the UK Singles Chart, "Catch a Falling Star" peaked at number nine, whereas its B-side "Magic Moments" topped the charts.[6]
The single won Como the 1959 Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance, Male.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.