By Request (Perry Como album)


By Request is Perry Como's ninth RCA Victor 12" long-play album.

Critical reception

William Ruhlmann of AllMusic noted Como's "change in his approach to recording with his album By Request. While "the title made it sound like a number of his earlier LPs...with the implication that the song choices were made by his audience rather than himself", By Request was made up of more recent material", even recording songs that were recent hits by others. "The material suited Como" and provided him the opportunity to take "a new direction as a singer, anticipating the period when his albums would not be more adjuncts to his television program."

Chart performance

By Request was Como's best-selling non-holiday LP release in three years and reached No. 32 on the Billboard Best Selling Stereo LP's chart.

Track listing

Side one

  1. "Maria" – 3:28
  2. "Lollipops and Roses" – 2:43
  3. "The Sweetest Sounds" – 2:46
  4. "More than Likely" – 2:52
  5. "Moonglow and Theme from 'Picnic' – 3:23
  6. *
  7. *
  8. "My Favorite Things" – 2:56

Side two

  1. "Once Upon a Time" – 3:50
  2. "Can't Help Falling in Love" – 3:07
  3. "What's New?" – 3:04
  4. "Somebody Cares" – 3:18
  5. "I'll Remember April" – 3:02
  6. "Moon River" – 3:20
A recording of "The Bells of St. Mary's" was made during the sessions, but left off the completed album. It was not released until its inclusion on the 2001 compilation CD A Perry Como Christmas, which also includes "My Favorite Things" from this album.

Personnel