Be Anything (but Be Mine)
"Be Anything " is a popular song composed by Irving Gordon, which was published in 1952.
Recorded versions
- The most successful version of the song was that by Eddy Howard was released as Mercury 5815, which reached number 13 in the spring of 1952.The song marked the debut release of Peggy Lee on Decca Records, being recorded on April 3, 1952 and issued on Decca. This version reached number 21.
- A version by Champ Butler reached No. 26.
- A version by Helen O'Connell
- Mercury Records also cut a version for the R&B market with Wini Brown & her Boyfriends; released as Mercury 8270, the track reportedly featured the Ravens as the male chorale.
- Ruth Brown also recorded "Be Anything " but her version was relegated to the B-side of the track "5-10-15 Hours".
- Gloria Lynne recorded "Be Anything " early in 1964 as her debut release on Mercury Records' Fontana label. The track entered the Hot 100 in April 1964, but rose no higher than number 88, its hit potential stymied by a lawsuit which barred the sales of any Fontana releases by Lynne, the singer's prior label Everest Records contending to still have Lynne contractually obligated. Fontana was prevented from releasing product by Lynne until February 1965, when her version of "Be Anything " made its album debut on her album Intimate Moments.
- Betty Everett recorded a version of 'Be Anything ' on her cult 1974 album Love Rhymes. The track was produced by Johnny Guitar Watson and David Axelrod.
Connie Francis version
- "Be Anything " did again become a major hit in 1964 via a remake by Connie Francis recorded in an April 8, 1964 session in New York City produced by Danny Davis with Alan Lorber as arranger/conductor. With "Be Anything ", Francis returned to the mode of remaking traditional pop songs which had provided her with most of her early Top Ten hits, although in the 1960s she had abandoned that formula, with the exception of "Together", a number 8 hit in 1961. "Be Anything " did not return Francis to the Top Ten, but did maintain her recent profile as a moderate chart presence with a number 25 peak on Billboard Hot 100, where it would mark Francis' final appearance in the Top 40.1 On the Easy Listening chart, which is now the Adult Contemporary chart, it peaked at number 9. In Australia, Francis' "Be Anything " charted at number 48."Be Anything " peaked at number 24 on the Cash Box Pop 100 where Francis would subsequently reach the Top 40 with "Looking For Love" "Don't Ever Leave Me", "For Mamma " and "Jealous Heart". In Canada "Be Anything " reached number 42.