"Lost April"
Song
Released1947
GenreBallad
ComposersEmil Newman and Herbert W. Spencer
LyricistEdgar DeLange or Edgar Leslie

"Lost April" is a popular song by Emil Newman[1] and Herbert W. Spencer,[1] with lyrics by Eddie DeLange.[2] It is a romantic, melancholy piece that represents lost love, nostalgia, and missed opportunities. Written for the film The Bishop's Wife (1947),[3] starring Cary Grant and Loretta Young,[4] it signifies Mrs. Hamilton's emotionally distant marriage and sentimental yearning. On the soundtrack, it appears as "Mrs. Hamilton & Lost April".[5]

Singer Nat King Cole liked this movie theme,[4] and "Lost April" became the first of his many songs tied to films. He planned the studio recording in November 1947 and, upon request, recorded a take with his jazz trio on November 29. He then added a string section to the song.[6] On December 20 in New York City, he recorded Pete Rugolo's big-band-and-strings arrangement, strategically timing it before the film's wide release and the American Federation of Musicians' 1948 strike.[7][a] Music industry leader James "Jim" B. Conkling predicted it would be a hit and said Capitol Records would release it with "Nature Boy" on the B-side.[4] But after its March 1948 release as a single disc (Capitol 15054), "Nature Boy" proved to be among the biggest hits that year.[9] Cole said he preferred "Lost April" but praised "Nature Boy" and its' success to its novelty as a song.[10]

Frankie Carle and his orchestra recorded it in 1948, with vocals by Gregg Lawrence.

Cole recorded the song again in 1961,[11] with the George Shearing Quintet, for the album Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays, released in 1962.[12]

Since its' release, the song has been recorded by many other artists, including Bev Kelly [de], John Pizzarelli, Francie Zucco, and April Varner.[citation needed] Tweet sampled a Cole recording in the song "Turn da Lights Off" (2005).[13]

Notes

  1. ^ Under the Taft–Hartley Act (1947), the labor union had to announce the January 1, 1948 strike, unlike the surprise 1942–1944 musicians' strike.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b Newman, Emil; Spencer, Herbert; DeLange (1946). Lost April. George Simon, Inc.
  2. ^ "Eddie DeLange / Jukebox". www.eddiedelange.com. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  3. ^ Friedwald 2020, 216.
  4. ^ a b c Cole & Robinson 1971, 34.
  5. ^ Lysy 2023, "Mrs. Hamilton & Lost April".
  6. ^ Friedwald 2020, 183–189, 196–197, 203, 216, 285, 307.
  7. ^ Cole & Robinson 1971, 34, 167; Friedwald 2020, 196, 216–217
  8. ^ Friedwald 2020, 196, 216.
  9. ^ Cole & Robinson 1971, 34–35; Friedwald 2020, 216–220
  10. ^ Friedwald 2020, 230, 566n73: quoting Barbara Hodgkins' "[Interview:] Backstage with Nat," Metronome, August 1948.
  11. ^ "Songs - Nat King Cole Discography". patsyclinediscography.com. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  12. ^ "Digital Compilations - Nat King Cole Discography". patsyclinediscography.com. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  13. ^ Trias 2005, 21.

Bibliography