Time Alone Will Tell
"Time Alone Will Tell" is a song written by Eros Sciorilli, Alberto Testa, with English lyrics written by Norman Newell and was first released as a single by Connie Francis.
Background
In 1967, between the 26th and 28th of January, the "17th Italian Song Festival", was held. The winners of the festival were Iva Zanicchi and Claudio Villa with the song "Non pensare a me". The song would be recorded by many notable artists that year, with the winners releasing the song in multiple countries themselves.Connie Francis version
Background
Francis returned to San Remo in 1967 to present "" with her team partner Bobby Solo. The song would drop out, not appearing as a finalist song, but she would record the winning song, with English lyrics.Chart performance
Soon after its release, the track reached No. 14 on the Billboard Easy Listening five weeks after its debut appearance and No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Cashbox singles charts the single would stall at No. 114, and on the Record World charts the single would reach No. 112. On the magazine's Top Non-Rock chart the single would debut at No. 35, peaking at No. 11 the next month.Reception
The single received a positive critical reception upon its release. Cashbox would write "'Time Alone Will Tell ' gets English lyrics and a potent reading in the hands of Connie Francis. A perfect vehicle for the songstress, this one could bring her quickly back into the chart scene. Flip is a sweeping version of 'Born Free.'" Record World would review the single, noting "The San Remo winner done with new English lyric by Connie. Will get mucho attention." In Billboard it was said "And time alone will tell if this doesn’t prove to be Connie's biggest single ever! ”Other charting versions
Italian releases
- Claudio Villa, the winner of the festival, released "Non pensare a me" as a single soon after, with his version reaching No. 10 in Italy.
- Iva Zanicchi, also the winner, released the song as a single soon after too with the B-side "Vita", but her version only reached No. 21 on the Italian charts. In the US the single would be released under United Artists.
English releases
- Malcolm Roberts released a version of the song as a single in 1967 under RCA Victor. It reached No. 45 on the UK Singles Chart.
- Jerry Vale released a version of the song as a single in 1967 under Columbia. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. His version also "bubled under" the Hot 100, reaching No. 26, and became his last song to be close to break into the Hot 100. On Record World's Top Non-Rock chart the song peaked at No. 7 in late May. On the magazine's pop singles charts it peaked at No. 117. With the song's success he would record his second album of the year Time Alone Will Tell and Other Great Hits of Today.
Other single releases
- Ronnie Aldrich and Camarata and His Orchestra released a version of the song as a single in 1967, under London Records.
- Enzo Stuarti released a version of the song as a single in 1967, under Epic Records.
- Sergio Franchi released a version of the song as a single in 1968, also under RCA.
Charts