"The Story of My Life" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.^[2] It was published in 1957. It was recorded by Marty Robbins and reached number one on Billboard's country chart in 1958, and it became a number one hit song for Michael Holliday in the UK.

Background

"The Story of My Life" was the first successful collaboration between Hal David and Burt Bacharach.^[3] Although they did not set out to write a country song, their song was recorded by American country music singer Marty Robbins.^[2][4] Robbins was accompanied in the recording by the whistling of the Ray Conniff Singers and a small-scale guitar.^[5] The song was released in November 1957 and peaked at number one on two US country charts (C&W Best Sellers in Stores and Most Played C&W by Jockeys), staying for four weeks on Best Sellers in early 1958.^[6][7] It also crossed over to the pop chart, reaching number fifteen.^[8] It reached number two on the Australian Singles Chart.^{[citation needed]}

Charts

Michael Holliday version

In the United Kingdom, Michael Holliday recorded a cover version on 10 December 1957 at the Abbey Road Studio. Holliday was backed by the Mike Sammes Singers, with Sammes singing the deep-voiced "bom-boms". The sound engineer created an echo effect with a second tape head, producing a fuller sound for Holliday's voice.^[11] Although Holliday was dissatisfied with the record,^[11] it became his first No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1958.^[12] The song was replaced as No. 1 by Perry Como's "Magic Moments", also written by Bacharach and David,^[13] the first time any songwriters had consecutive No. 1s on the British chart.^[4]

In addition to Michael Holliday's No. 1 single (Parlophone 45-DB-4058), three other versions of "The Story of My Life" were released in the UK around the same time in 1958: Gary Miller recorded a version that reached No. 14 in the UK;^[14] a version by Alma Cogan reached No. 25;^[15] and a single by Dave King reached No. 20.^[16]

Other versions

• A pop-rock version by Herman's Hermits was included on the US compilation LP The Best Of Herman's Hermits – Volume II, released in 1966.^{[citation needed]}
• Connie Francis recorded the song in 1968 for possible inclusion in her album Connie Francis Sings Bacharach & David, but it was omitted. The track was later released in 1979 on the album titled Connie Francis – Sings Bacharach, Kaempfert, Last & Mancini.^{[citation needed]}
• Larry Cunningham recorded a version which reached No. 16 on the Irish chart in 1983.^[17]
• Irish singer Val Doonican also recorded the song, which became his signature theme. He titled his 2009 autobiography "My Story, My Life", in reference to the song title.^{[citation needed]}