The End of a Love Affair

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The End of a Love Affair (Edward C. Redding) — copyright 1950

recording history:

• Second Hand Songs

lyric:

• International Lyrics Playground — chorus only
• Reading Lyrics — book by eds. Robert Gottlieb, Robert Kimball, 2000 —  On page 639 is what I presume to be the complete lyric, including the “interlude,” which, when used, has sometimes been sung as an opening verse.
  

Standard of the Day says,

This somber and smokey tune of love and loss was practically written for the saloon. Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestra introduced it, but it was quickly snatched up by a number of different artists during the 1950s.

In a 10 April 2014 comment, visitor Daniel Fitzgerald suggests that a 1951 recording by Margaret Whiting might have been the first recording of the song, and notes that it contains the full verse. Second Hand Songs recognizes the Whiting recording as the first released recording of the song, and the recording does in fact include a verse section in the beginning, but there are at least a couple of other 1950s recordings in which the same introductory verse is used. However, in the book Reading Lyrics (see link above) by eds. Robert Gottlieb, Robert Kimball, published in 2000, this section of the lyric is placed after the refrain, or chorus, and is labelled an “interlude.”

Of the recordings featured below, the complete introductory verse is sung in the following instances, while in his 1961 version Nat King Cole sings a modified portion of it.

• 1951 — Margaret Whiting
• 1953 — Mabel Mercer
• 1959 — Chris Connor

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Margaret Whiting

The following is probably the recording that the discography at MargaretWhiting.com indicates was made in Los Angeles on 9 May 1951, at “Session #2164,” with an orchestra directed by Lou Busch; that recording was released on the following singles:

• 78 rpm (US) Capitol 1585, b/w “Everlasting” — issued in 1951
• 45 rpm (US) Capitol F1585, as the B-side of “Everlasting” — issued in June 1951
• 78 rpm (UK) Capitol CL.13581, as the B-side of “Good Morning Mister Echo” — issued in September 1951

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(below) unidentified, undated recording; the cheering and applause at the end suggest that it might be radio or television broadcast transcription

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Dinah Shore with Henri René and his Orchestra — B-side of “Getting to Know You,” RCA Victor ‎47-4286, according to 45cat.com, issued in October 1951, although Discogs.com has “The End of a Love Affair” as the A-side

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Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, with unidentified female vocalist — date unknown

I’ve been unable to properly identify the following Jimmy Dorsey recording, which sounds like it might be a live radio broadcast transcription. I don’t know who the female vocalist is, though I feel that I ought to recognize this voice.

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Mabel Mercer — from her 1953 album Songs by Mabel Mercer, Atlantic ALS 402 — Mercer’s recording includes the verse

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Helen Merrill — from the 1955 LP Helen Merrill With Strings, EmArcy ‎MG-36057 — orchestration by Richard Hayman

• Barry Galbraith – guitar
• Hank Jones – piano
• Milt Hinton – bass
• Sol Gubin –  drums

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 Frank Sinatra with The Hollywood String Quartet —  recorded on 5 April 1956, with arrangement by Nelson Riddle; released on the 1956 album Close to You

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Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers — recorded in NY on 5 April 1956, the same day as the Sinatra recording with Riddle; released on the 1956 album The Jazz Messengers, (US) Columbia CL 897

Donald Byrd: trumpet
Hank Mobley: tenor Sax
Horace Silver: piano
Doug Watkins: bass
Art Blakey: drums

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In a comment, dated Feb 06, 2016 @ 02:01:46, Geoffrey Jacques said:

I am so happy to see this post. I’ve always loved this song since first hearing the Blakey and Holiday versions. Here’s my question, though: Where’s the Johnny Hartman version? It’s on The Debonair Mr. Hartman, Bethlehem 6014, rec. 1956.

Johnny Hartman with the Ernie Wilkins Orchestra — recorded in November 1956, during sessions which produced the 1956 album All of Me: The Debonair Johnny Hartman, Bethlehem Records BCP 6014; this track is one of several on the album that were arranged and conducted by Frank Hunter

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Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra — from the 1956 LP Dim Lights and Blue Music, MGM Records E3351

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Billie Holiday – Session #86 New York, 20 February 1958, Ray Ellis and his Orchestra (Columbia) — Urbie Green, Tom Mitchell & J. J. Johnson (tb) Ed Powell, Tom Pashley, Romeo Penque, Phil Bodner (sax) Mal Waldron (p) Barry Galbraith (g) Milt Hinton (b) Don Lamond (d) Billie Holiday (v) Brad Spinney(xyl) J. Putman (harp) + strings and choir, released on the album Lady in Satin, June 1958

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Chris Connor — from the 1959 LP Sings Ballads of the Sad Cafe, Atlantic SD 1307, Atlantic 1307

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Wes Montgomery Trio — recorded 6 October 1959 at Reeves Sound Studios in NYC; released on the 1959 LP The Wes Montgomery Trio, Riverside Records RLP 12-310,

Wes Montgomery: guitar
Mel Rhyne: organ
Paul Parker: drums

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Dexter Gordon — recorded on 9 May 1961 , and released in 1961 on the album Dexter Calling…, Blue Note BLP 4083 — Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Kenny Drew (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Philly Joe Jones (drums)

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Maysa — from Maysa Sings Songs Before Dawn, released in 1961

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Nat King Cole with orchestra conducted by Gordon Jenkins — from the 1963 album Where Did Everyone Go?, Capitol W 1859* (Mono), Capitol SW 1859 (Stereo); album recorded on 13-14 August 1962; arrangements by Gordon Jenkins — Cole sings a small portion of the verse, with the words modified.

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Julie London — from her 1963 LP Love On the Rocks, Liberty ‎LST 7249

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Gloria Lynne – from I Wish You Love, 1967

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The Real Deal Big Band — date unknown

The provider says, “…arranged by Willy Dalton–solos by Willy on guitar and Mike DiLorenzo on organ–band members included Vince Cherico, drums, and Irio O’Farrill, bass.”

Version #1

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Version #2

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* Discogs.com indicates that the catalog number of the Mono version has been variously issued as Capitol W1859, Capitol W 1859, and Capitol W-1859.