About the song
“Fly Me to the Moon,” originally titled “In Other Words,” is a timeless song crafted by Bart Howard in 1954. Although Kaye Ballard recorded its first commercial version in 1954, it was Frank Sinatra’s 1964 rendition that became synonymous with the Apollo missions to the Moon.
Bart Howard, a seasoned musician with over two decades in the music industry, wrote the song with his partner of 58 years, Thomas Fowler, in mind. Initially conceived as “In Other Words,” it was tailored as a simple ballad for the cabaret scene, reflecting Howard’s admiration for his idol, Cole Porter. The song’s original lyrics, rejected by a publisher who requested simpler wording, eventually evolved into the now-iconic “Fly Me to the Moon.” Howard adamantly refused to alter the lyrics from “fly me” to “take me,” ensuring its poetic integrity.
Introduced in cabaret performances by Felicia Sanders, the song gained traction and was first commercially recorded by Kaye Ballard in April 1954. Billboard praised Ballard’s emotional rendition as a love song, marking its initial debut.
Over the following years, “In Other Words” saw numerous jazz and pop covers, including interpretations by Chris Connor, Johnny Mathis, Portia Nelson, and Nancy Wilson. Peggy Lee’s rendition on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1960 increased its popularity, prompting Bart Howard to officially rename it “Fly Me to the Moon” at Peggy Lee’s insistence in 1963.
Joe Harnell’s bossa nova-style instrumental version in 1962 further popularized the song, spending weeks on the Billboard charts and earning Harnell a Grammy Award. Subsequent renditions by artists like Julie London and Paul Anka continued to cement its status as a beloved standard.
Frank Sinatra’s 1964 recording with Count Basie, arranged by Quincy Jones, solidified “Fly Me to the Moon” as a classic. The dynamic arrangement and Sinatra’s charismatic delivery captured the song’s essence, making it an emblematic piece of his repertoire.
Beyond Sinatra’s interpretation, the song has been featured in various cultural contexts, from film soundtracks to anime themes, reflecting its enduring appeal across different genres and generations. Its inclusion in the Grammy Hall of Fame underscores its lasting impact on music history, celebrating Bart Howard’s timeless composition and its journey from cabaret to the moon.
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Lyrics
Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, darling, kiss me
Fill my life with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you
Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, darling, kiss me
Fill my life with song
Let me sing for ever more
All I worship and adore
You are all I long for
In other words, please be true
In other words, in other words
In other words, in other words
In other words
I love you