Song of the Day: Keely Smith, “One Less Bell To Answer”

Song of the Day 1 Minute

Jazz and ppo singer Keely Smith, who was married to Louis Prima and figured heavily in his act in the 1950’s, was born on this day in 1928. She had a productive solo career after her divorce from Prima in 1961. She was the first to record Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s "One Less Bell To Answer," which they wrote for Keely, in 1967. It later became a hit for The Fifth Dimension.

Published by John Holton

Internet disc jockey, lover of old TV (especially the commercials), inveterate wise guy.

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20 thoughts on “Song of the Day: Keely Smith, “One Less Bell To Answer””

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  6. A blast from the past, John. I remember Keely and Louis Prima. He was always cutting up and she was his perfect foil. She looked furious at times and I wonder how much slipped over into their personal lives. Another great song from the stupendous catalog of Burt Bacharach!

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      1. Louis Prima was crude and obnoxious. My dad always said he was a disgrace to Italians. I never cared for him or his antics but he had a good sounding band to back up his trumpet playing. He was tolerable if listening and not watching.

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        1. I have his album The Wildest! and it’s a fun album to listen to, but that’s as far as it goes. Keely always looked like she was being held hostage when she was on stage with him.

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