This article is about the song written by Ivory "Deek" Watson and William "Pat" Best. For the similarly titled song by Abner Silver, see For Sentimental Reasons (1936 song).
"(I Love You) for Sentimental Reasons" is a popular song written by Ivory "Deek" Watson, founding member of the Ink Spots and of the Brown Dots, and William "Pat" Best, founding member of the Four Tunes.
The credits and Leeds Publishing Company list Watson as a co-writer. Best later claimed that Watson had nothing to do with the creation of the song,[1] but Watson maintained in his late 1960s autobiography[2] that he and Best wrote the song together, lyrics and music respectively. Best was a member of Watson's group, the Brown Dots. The song was published in 1945 and released by Watson's quartet with Joe King as lead vocalist on the Manor Records label (catalog No. 1041A).[3]
Hit versions
The biggest-selling version by The King Cole Trio was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 304. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on November 22, 1946 and lasted 12 weeks on the chart, peaking at number one.[4]
The recording by Eddy Howard was released by Majestic Records as catalog number 1071A. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on January 10, 1947, and lasted five weeks on the chart, peaking at number six.[4]
The recording by Dinah Shore was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 37188. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on January 10, 1947, and lasted four weeks on the chart, peaking at number six.[4]
The recording by Charlie Spivak (vocal by Jimmy Saunders) was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-1981. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on January 10, 1947, and lasted 14 weeks on the chart, peaking at number seven.[4]