{{Short description|Song written by Carl Sigman and Bob Hilliard}} {{about|the 1949 song|the 1971 album by Dottie West|Careless Hands (album)}} "'''Careless Hands'''" is a popular song written by Carl Sigman and Bob Hilliard, and first recorded in 1948.
The song was originally recorded by Sammy Kaye with vocals by Don Cornell,<ref name=secondhand>[http://www.secondhandsongs.com/work/79556 "Careless Hands" at SecondhandSongs.com]. Retrieved 19 February 2014</ref> and then recorded in 1949 by Mel Tormé, whose version reached no.1 on the US pop chart and became Tormé's first major success.<ref>{{cite book|first=Joel|last=Whitburn|year=1986|title=Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954|edition=1st|publisher=Record Research Inc.|location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin|isbn=0-89820-083-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/421 421]|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/421}}</ref> It was also recorded by many other singers including Bing Crosby (recorded March 22, 1949)<ref>{{cite web|title=A Bing Crosby Discography|url=http://www.bingmagazine.co.uk/bingmagazine/crosby1bDecca.html|website=BING magazine|publisher=International Club Crosby|accessdate=September 13, 2017}}</ref> and Al Martino.<ref name=secondhand/> There were no less than four charted versions in 1949, by Mel Tormé (No. 1), Sammy Kaye (No. 3), Bing Crosby (No. 12) and Bob & Jeanne (No. 21).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Whitburn|first1=Joel|title=Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954|date=1986|publisher=Record Research Inc|location=Wisconsin, US|isbn=0-89820-083-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/483 483]|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/483}}</ref>
In the UK, a version by comedian and entertainer Des O'Connor reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in 1967.<ref name="betts">{{cite book| first= Graham| last= Betts| year=2004| title= Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004| edition= 1st|publisher= Collins| location= London| isbn= 0-00-717931-6| page=565}}</ref>
In 1971, "Careless Hands" was recorded by American country music artist Dottie West. It was released as a single, peaking at number 48 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart in April 1971. The song was subsequently released on a studio album of the same name.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dottie West Chart History: Hot Country Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/dottie-west/chart-history/csi/ |website=Billboard |accessdate=7 August 2019}}</ref>
==Other recordings== *1949: Bob and Alf Pearson - a Parlophone single. *1958: Michael Holliday - a single release on the Columbia label.<ref>{{cite web|title=45worlds.com|url=http://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/db4216|website=45worlds.com|accessdate=September 13, 2017}}</ref> *1958: Slim Whitman - a single release for London Records. *1960: Kitty Kallen - for her album ''Honky Tonk Angel, Country Songs with a City Flavor''. *1964: The Andrews Sisters - included in their album ''Great Country Hits''. *1965: Vic Damone - for his album ''You Were Only Fooling''. *1984: Jerry Lee Lewis - for his album ''I Am What I Am''.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Bing Crosby singles}} {{Dottie West singles}} {{Slim Whitman}} {{Des O'Connor|state=expanded}} {{authority control}}
Category:1948 songs Category:1949 singles Category:1967 debut singles Category:1971 singles Category:Bing Crosby songs Category:Mel Tormé songs Category:Slim Whitman songs Category:Des O'Connor songs Category:Dottie West songs Category:Songs written by Carl Sigman Category:Songs with lyrics by Bob Hilliard