original "alfie"

[bruce]

who recorded "Alfie" for the 1st time? Who performed it in the original 60´s film? Cilla Black, or who else?

[scotsgreg]

Hi, Bruce. The film was released in the United States with Cher's very mid-1960's, Sonny-produced, Byrds-ish/Phil Spector-ish recording over the end credits, jangly guitars, harpsichord and all. She had a modest top-40 hit with it in the late summer of '66 following the film's release, besting Cilla Black's Bacharach-arranged rendition, which languished in the nether regions of the US charts. In the UK, Cilla's version went top-10, but I don't honestly know if it or any version of the song was included in British prints of the film. For years, the Paramount VHS release of the film deleted the song altogether, utilizing a reprise of Sonny Rollins' jazz score, although it continued to feature Sonny and Cher and mention Bacharach and David in the end credits. I've heard the DVD release has restored Cher's version. Ultimately, most folks credit Dionne Warwick's subsequent 1967 top-20 take with really putting the song over.

[bruce]

thank you for the info. So in different countries the film had different sountracks, correct? I´ve read that the song was candidate for an academy award, but personally I don´t like neither Cher´s version nor Cilla Black´s one. I guess the song was nominated disregarding who performed vocals on it. I neither like Joss Stone´s new version; I only like Dee Dee Warwick´s version , Dionne ´s version is good too but with her wide catalog I can find many better BBs songs recorded by her.
Best wishes.