Lionel Bart

2009 (Dame Shirley Bassey performs one of her hits nearly 50 years after she originally recorded it! This clip is from her concert TV Special) This song was recorded and originaly released as a 1960 Columbia Single (Side-A) / (Side-B) - So In Love. This song reached #2 on the UK Charts. This song was then included on Shirley's 1963 LP titled, 'Shirley Sings Hit Song From Oliver Plus Other Popular Selections' ABOUT this song: As Long as He Needs Me is a torch song sung by the character of Nancy in the musical film Oliver!, introduced in the 1960 musical. It is a love ballad about her criminal boyfriend Bill Sikes. The song expresses Nancy's love for him, despite his mistreatment of her. A reprise of this song towards the end of the show expresses Nancy's affection for young Oliver Twist, implying that she now feels that the child also needs her. This reprise was omitted from the film version. The song has also been sung as "As Long as She Needs Me," when sung by a male singer, and became a popular song by virtue of its renditions by several popular singers, including Lionel Bart and Shirley Bassey who reached number two in the United Kingdom charts with the song. The song was performed by Nadia Turner and Melinda Doolittle on American Idol. Shirley's rendition of this song was released in 1960 on a single and later on an EP. The single climbed to number two in the charts. The single stayed in the singles Top 50 charts for 30 consecutive weeks, one of the longest unbroken runs in UK singles chart history. It was her first hit single with columbia records, where she had signed 1959. 1963 released on the collection album Shirley Bassey Sings The Hit Song From OLIVER!. Also recorded together with the London Symphony Orchestra on the album I Am What I Am. The song is available on CD on many collections, and from the 1960's until today Shirley performed this song in many concerts, therefore there are many live recordings available too. This song is from the musical "Oliver!" written by Lionel Bart. The musical is based on the novel "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. The premiere had been on Thursday, June 30th, 1960 in the New Theatre in London. The film adaptation of Oliver! won six Oscars. Lionel Bart (his real name is Lionel Begleiter) was one of the best known composers of contemporary music. Bart has disposed of the film and musical rights to Oliver! He sold them in 1973 - a decision that he thought had perhaps cost him £100 million. There was a studio drama behind this hit: Producer Norman Newell had booked the vast number one recording studio at EMI's Abbey Road for a Bassey recording session, and he and a large orchestra awaited Shirley's arrival. When she failed to appear at the expected time Norman made a frantic phone call to Shirley's home to discover that she had completely forgotten about the recording session and had gone off to the cinema! Newell quickly arranged for every cinema in London's West End to 'page' the missing singer and soon afterwards a breathless Shirley arrived at Abbey Road. The Orchestra was booked till 5:30pm and she came rushing in at ten past five ... and gave one of the best recording performances of her career. LYRICS: As longs as he needs me I know where I must be I'll cling on steadfastly As longs as he needs me As long as life is long I'll love him, right or wrong And somehow I'll be strong As long as he needs me If you are lonely then you will know When someone needs you you love them so I won't betray his trust Though people say I must I've got to stay true just As longs as he needs me If you are lonely then you will know When someone needs you you love them so I won't betray his trust Though people say I must I've got to stay true just As longs as he needs me

• published: 23 Sep 2010
• views: 177612