"Harbor Lights" is a popular song by Hugh Williams (pseudonym for Will Grosz) with lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy. This song was originally sung by Frances Langford in 1937[1] and was published again in 1950.
The song has been recorded by many artists; charting versions were recorded by Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, Ray Anthony, Ralph Flanagan, Elvis Presley, The Platters (peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts in 1960), and Ken Griffin. Other versions were recorded by Willie Nelson, Vera Lynn, The Ink Spots and Jon Rauhouse. It was recorded in Polish by Irena Santor as "Portowe Światła".
The biggest-selling version was recorded by the Sammy Kaye orchestra. The recording was released by Columbia Records as a 78rpm single and a 45rpm single. The record first reached the Billboard charts on September 1, 1950 and lasted 25 weeks, peaking at #1.[2]
The Guy Lombardo orchestra recording of August 24, 1950 was released by Decca Records. The record first reached the Billboard charts on October 6, 1950 and lasted 20 weeks, peaking at #2.[2]
The Bing Crosby recording was released by Decca Records. The record first reached the Billboard charts on November 3, 1950 and lasted 11 weeks, peaking at #10.[2]
The Ray Anthony orchestra recording was released by Capitol Records. The flip side was "Nevertheless." The record first reached the Billboard charts on October 20, 1950 and lasted 15 weeks on the chart, peaking at #15.[2]
The Ralph Flanagan orchestra recording was released by RCA Victor Records. The record first reached the Billboard charts on October 27, 1950 and lasted 5 weeks, peaking at #27.[2]
The Ken Griffin recording was released by Columbia Records. The record reached the Billboard charts on October 20, 1950 and lasted only one week, charting at #27.[2]
| 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 |