Imagination (1940 song)


"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.

Composition

originally wrote the song when he was a teenager, but with different words. When he later played the tune for Johnny Burke, Burke wrote the "Imagination" lyrics.

Recordings

The recording by Glenn Miller 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.

Charts

Other recorded versions

The song has been recorded by, among others: