The highest-charting version of the song was recorded by the Sammy Kaye orchestra in 1946, although a version of the song recorded by Frankie Laine has become better known over the years, being one of Laine's best-known recordings.[1] It has been recorded by many other singers, including a number of doo-wop groups.
The recording by Frankie Laine was recorded on August 27, 1946, with Mannie Klein's Orchestra, and released by Mercury Records as catalog number 5007, with the flip side "By the River Sainte Marie".[5] It reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on June 27, 1947 and lasted four weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 4.[4] It was Laine's first chart hit. Despite the higher chart position of the Kaye version, the Laine version is the widely reported million-seller. The Laine version also appeared on Billboard′s Most- Played Juke Box Race Records chart, peaking at No. 4.[6]
Martha Tilton recorded March 1947, released by Capitol Records as catalog number 395, with the flip side "I Wonder, I Wonder"). The single reached No. 10 in June 1947 and remained there for 9 weeks.[8]
The Hollies' version, recorded in Abbey Road studios 1 March 1965 appeared on the group's third LP. In South Africa and Rhodesia it was released as a single, and went to No. 1 in both countries in 1967.
Eddie Cochran version
Eddie Cochran recorded his version of "That's My Desire" in early summer of 1956 at Gold Star Recording Studios. It was first released in the UK in 1962 on the album "Cherished Memories". The first release in the US was on the album Eddie Cochran On The Air in 1987.
The Cats and the Fiddle (vocal by Austin Powell; released by Manor Records as catalog number 1064, with the flip side "When Elephants Roost in Bamboo Trees").[11]
Nat Shilkret and the Victor Orchestra (recorded June 9, 1931, released under the name "Ronald Sachs and his Orchestra" by Timely Tunes Records as catalog number C-1584, with the flip side "Swamp Ghosts").[20]
Maynard Ferguson performed vocals and trumpet on a version that appeared on his 1995 album Footpath Cafe.
Yvonne Baker and the Sensations (April 1962 on ARGO 5412; No. 69 on Billboard Hot 100 June 1962)[21]
Related versions
On the eponymous first album by The Manhattan Transfer, the group does a song called "Heart's Desire" that is virtually identical to "That's My Desire".