"Imagination" is a popular song with music written by Jimmy Van Heusen and the lyrics by Johnny Burke. The song was first published in 1940. The two best-selling versions were recorded by the orchestras of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey in 1940.
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Composition
Jimmy Van Heusen originally wrote the song when he was a teenager, but with different words. When he later played the tune for Johnny Burke (without the lyrics), Burke wrote the "Imagination" lyrics.
Recordings
The recording by Glenn Miller (vocals Ray Eberle) was released by Bluebird Records as catalog number 10622. It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on July 20, 1940, and lasted 3 weeks on the chart, peaking at #3.
The recording by Tommy Dorsey was released by Victor Records as catalog number 26581. It reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart at #8 on July 20, 1940, its only week on the chart.
Miki Howard rendition
The song was covered in 1987 by American R&B singer Miki Howard. Released as the second single from Howard's debut album, Come Share My Love. The song was a top 20 R&B hit, peaking at number 13 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.
Other recorded versions
The song has been recorded by, among others:
Steve Allen (released by Columbia Records as catalog number 39589)
Georgie Auld and his orchestra (recorded February 1940, released by Varsity Records as catalog number 8199)
Chet Baker – Chet Baker Quartet featuring Russ Freeman (Pacific Jazz)
Shirley Bassey
Dave Brubeck – Plays and Plays and Plays (1962)
Chick Bullock and his orchestra (recorded February 21, 1940, released by Vocalion Records as catalog number 5434)
June Christy – Fair and Warmer! (1957); A Friendly Session, Vol. 1 (2000) with the Johnny Guarnieri Quintet
Petula Clark (recorded 1963, released by Pye Records as catalog number 7N15517)
Rosemary Clooney – Love (1963), and Rosemary Clooney Sings the Music of Jimmy Van Heusen (Concord, 1986)
Harry Connick, Jr. on 20
Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter's orchestra (recorded December 24, 1947, released by Decca Records as catalog number 24696)
Doris Day (recorded November, 1947, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 38423, also as catalog number 38698)
Al Donahue and his orchestra (recorded March 18, 1940, released by Vocalion Records as catalog number 5434, also by Conqueror Records as catalog number 9453)