Harbor Lights

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"Harbor Lights" is a popular song with music by Hugh Williams (pseudonym for Will Grosz) and lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy. This song originated in 1937 in England (1937 copyright unknown) and was published in 1950. It may have been used as the background theme in the 1940 film "The Long Voyage Home."

The song has been recorded by many artists, with charting versions done by Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, Ray Anthony, Ralph Flanagan, and Ken Griffin. Other versions were recorded by Vera Lynn, The Ink Spots, The Platters (peak Billboard position # 8 in 1960), and Jon Rauhouse.

The biggest-selling version was by the Sammy Kaye orchestra. The recording was released by Columbia Records as a 78rpm single (catalog number 38963) and a 45rpm single (catalog number 6-784). The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on September 1, 1950 and lasted 25 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1. ^[1]

The Guy Lombardo orchestra recording was recorded on August 24, 1950 and released by Decca Records as catalog number 27208. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on October 6, 1950 and lasted 20 weeks on the chart, peaking at #2. ^[1]

The Bing Crosby recording was released by Decca Records as catalog number 27219. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 3, 1950 and lasted 11 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10. ^[1]

The Ray Anthony orchestra recording was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1190. The flip side was "Nevertheless." The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on October 20, 1950 and lasted 15 weeks on the chart, peaking at #15. ^[1]

The Ralph Flanagan orchestra recording was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-3911. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on October 27, 1950 and lasted 5 weeks on the chart, peaking at #27. ^[1]

The Ken Griffin recording was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 38889. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on October 20, 1950 and lasted only 1 week on the chart, at #27. ^[1]

Preceded by "Goodnight, Irene" by Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers	*U.S. Billboard* Best Sellers in Stores number-one single** November 18–25, 1950	Succeeded by "The Thing" by Phil Harris
Preceded by Goodnight, Irene	Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record November 11–December 9, 1950	Succeeded by The Thing
Preceded by The Thing	Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record December 23, 1950	Succeeded by The Tennessee Waltz