When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano
{{Short description|Song written by Leon René}}
{{Infobox song
| name = When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano
| type = Single
| artist = The Ink Spots
| B-side = What Can I Do
| released = May 1940
| recorded = May 13, 1940
| studio =
| genre = Traditional Pop
| length = 3:00
| label = Decca Records
| writer =
| producer =
| chronology = The Ink Spots
| prev_title = I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You
| prev_year = 1940
| next_title = Whispering Grass
| next_year = 1940
}}
"When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" is a song written by Leon René and first recorded by The Ink Spots featuring Bill Kenny in May 1940.[http://inkspots.ca/DISCOGRAPHY.htm#BM40 Ink Spots Discography] The Ink Spots' recording of the song reached No. 4 on the US charts.
Background
René wrote the song as a tribute to the annual springtime return of the cliff swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California. A glassed-off room in the mission was later designated in René's honor, and displays the upright piano on which he composed the tune, the reception desk from his office, several copies of the song's sheet music and other pieces of furniture, all donated by René's family.
Other 1940 recordings
- Also in 1940, a recording by Glenn Miller reached No. 2 the same year.[http://tsort.info/music/yr1940.htm Tsort: songs from 1940]
- Other recordings were made at about the same time by Xavier Cugat and Gene Krupa.
==Later recordings==
The song was later recorded by among many others including:[http://www.secondhandsongs.com/performance/72818 "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" at SecondHandSongs] Fred Waring, Guy Lombardo, Billy May and Pat Boone (on the B-side of April Love).
References
{{Reflist}}
{{The Ink Spots}}
{{Pat Boone}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs about California
Category:Songs written by Leon René
Category:Decca Records singles
{{1940s-song-stub}}