Heart and Soul (1938 Song)

Heart And Soul (1938 Song)

"Heart and Soul" is a popular song, with music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Frank Loesser, published in 1938. The original 1938 version was performed by Larry Clinton & his Orchestra featuring Bea Wain. The song's A-section is often simplified as a repeating I-vi-IV-V progression and taught to beginning piano students as an easy two-hand duet ( example). Much like the piece "Chopsticks", this (somewhat inaccurate) version became widely-known, even to those who have never studied piano. The chord progression, often referred to as the "'50s progression", later became very common in the doo-wop hits of the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1939, three versions charted: Larry Clinton (reaching #1 on the chart), Eddy Duchin (reaching #12), and Al Donahue (reaching #16). The song later charted as #11 in 1952 by The Four Aces, as #57 in 1956 by Johnny Maddox, as #18 in 1961 by The Cleftones, and as #25 in 1961 by Jan and Dean. Many other versions have been recorded. The song has been used in many adverts, such as the iPad Mini advert.