Who Wrote Speak Softly Love?

Speak Softly Love is a beautifully evocative song composed by Nino Rota, best known for his scores in Federico Fellini's films, and written by Larry Kusik, an American lyricist. Originally released in 1972 as part of the iconic score to the romantic drama The Godfather, Speak Softly Love has since gone on to become an all-time classic love song.

The composition of the sultry ballad left Nino Rota inspired after he penned it on a single night. Instrumentally, Speak Softly Love expertly moves between two musical themes with great nuance, so much so that it earned him an Academy Award and two Grammys for its haunting melody and hypnotic performance. In a 2012 interview with NPR, Nino recalled that because of time constraints he was forced to compose it in just one session along with the other songs for the film's soundtrack.

Since its original release nearly 50 years ago, Speak Softly Love has soared through international charts and earned worldwide acclaim for its poignancy and timelessness. Picking up key placements in various films over the years, the song has been covered by artists such as Andy Williams who performed it as the title track for his 1972 album ‘Speak Softly Love’in collaboration with Italian orchestra I Cantori Moderni Di Alessandroni Chimera - whom had previously also accompanied Rota in his score as part of Fellini's compositions - achieving music chart success at number 25. Both Celine Dion and Josh Groban have sung their own renditions too enamoring fans and listeners alike all around the world in awe of this classic love anthem.

So if you ever find yourself craving something romantic yet introspective to help charm hearts or if you're curious about who wrote 'Speak Softly Love', then know that you are not alone! A true timeless classic, this love anthem was concocted by wonderfully talented composer Nino Rota with lyricist Larry Kusik enhancing today's versions taking it that extra mile!

Speak Softly Love is arguably one of the most well-known pieces of music to come out of Hollywood, as well as one of the most enduring love themes. Written by Nino Rota and lyrics by Larry Kusik in 1972, ‘Speak Softly Love’ is best known as the main theme from The Godfather movie. While it is a beautiful melody, what makes it even more memorable is its simplicity – a simple melody looping throughout with only a few chords. Rota was an Italian film composer best known for his work with Federico Fellini, who used his music in eight of his films. The music written for The Godfather created an entire world around the film and provided it with an emotional center for viewers to connect to.

Rota wrote a number of other classic film scores using elements from traditional Italian folk music as well as classical styles from Europe and America making him one of the most enlisted composers in cinema history. ‘Speak Softly Love’ was such a hit that it was recorded by different artists a few times over including Andy Williams’ 1973 version which proved to be a massive success reaching the US Top 10 at number 4 and selling an estimated 2 million copies worldwide within 5 years after release; ultimately making it culturally iconic.

As history goes on, Nino Rota’s timeless masterpiece will undoubtedly leave its mark on generations to come providing them with heartfelt reminders, powerful love stories, and romantic moments all expressed through unparalleled musical composition.

The song "Speak Softly Love" was first written by Nino Rota and Larry Kusik for the 1972 classic film The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. In the movie it is performed as a romantic ballad, sung in Italian and featuring Al Martino (appropriately dressed as a 1920s Mafia don) on vocals.

The piece quickly became one of the most recognised movie themes of all time, thanks to its moving and melodic arrangement which seemed to perfectly capture the essence of the film. The track was translated into English and re-recorded for the soundtrack album, with Andy Williams providing the more recognizable vocal version. In fact, Williams’ version went on to become a major Billboard hit (#15 Pop, #6 Easy Listening), and earned him his fifth Grammy nomination. Versions of "Speak Softly Love" have also been recorded by countless other artists such as Elvis Presley, Placido Domingo and cover band The Tenors in recent years.

So it certainly seems that "Speak Softly Love" has stood the test of time! But the original artist to ever perform this iconic track remains Al Martino - or simply put: "The Voice of The Godfather".

The world was charmed when the iconic song “Speak Softly Love” first premiered in 1972. Written by composer Nino Rota and lyricist Larry Kusic, it was featured in the romantic drama-comedy The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The song gained even more admiration when Italian singer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Williams performed it on the soundtrack recording.

The original version of the track wasn’t available to the wider public until 1973. This is because the first single was released by Al Martino, an American singer and actor of Italian origin who appeared in many TV shows, movies and stage performances during his career. Martino recorded his version at American Recording Studios in New York City with producer and arranger Jeff Barry and session musicians Richie Rosenberg on trombone, Charlie Calello on drums, Jack Cavari on strings, Ed Greene on percussion and Bob Fontanella producing additional music. Al Martino secured his place in history as he captured audiences with his warm vocals that carry an air of heartfelt nostalgia between them. He also received numerous recognitions for his performance over 1963 to 1976 period; including a nomination to Grammys Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) category in 1974, as well as much recognition from critics at large.

Enduring beyond its own time, “Speak Softly Love” is often hailed as one of the greatest movie love themes amidst a long line of memorable compositions from Italian composers through the years. It is still considered today a classic romantic ballad associated with hearts full of love; reminding us thatAndy Williams’ rendition may be a close runner-up for our generations but Al Martino was undoubtedly its original voice that stuck through time.

The romantic melody of Speak Softly Love, also famously known from its inclusion in the iconic 1972 film The Godfather, is an enduring classic that has been heard all over the world. The song was originally composed by Italian composer Nino Rota, and the lyrics were written by American song writer Larry Kusik.

Kusik was born into a musical family in New York City and wrote his first tunes as early as age 12. After studying music at Brooklyn College and Manhattan School of Music, he found himself writing television jingles and producing hit records. Kusik’s similar association with Hollywood began in 1968 when he wrote the lyrics to Speak Softly Love for the romantic drama “The Godfather”. He went on to write some of the most memorable soundtracks for classic shows like Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, The Incredible Hulk and Magnum P. I., as well as many other movies.

When asked about how Speak Softly Love came about and how it became involved with the film The Godfather, Kusik had very little recollection other than it being chosen from among several themes written for Marlon Brando’s character in the movie—Don Vito Corleone - because it felt ‘right’ for him. Kusik will live on through this beautiful piece of music forever as many people have come to see it as much more than just a popular track – it is now expression of love throughout time due to its relevance in not only The Godfather but also in other films like Night Spiderman 2 and The Insider.

In the spring of 1972, the song “Speak Softly Love” was released to the world. It is best known as the love theme from “The Godfather”, a 1972 Academy Award-winning movie. But who was it that originally recorded the track that has gone on to become one of the most memorable pieces in cinematic history?

The answer is Andy Williams. Williams recorded a full master version titled "Love Theme from The Godfather" during an afternoon session at Hitsville Recorders in Macon, Georgia. Originally released as a single in 1972, it went on to become a Top 20 charting hit due to its placement in the opening and closing scenes of “The Godfather”. The piece has since been used major movies such as “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” and TV shows like “Family Ties”, eventually becoming one of Williams most beloved songs. Interestingly enough, there was also an Italian version composed by Nino Rota & sung by Al Martino for use in international releases throughout Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

This classic love song remains one of the most recognizable pieces in cinema history - but many don't know that it was Andy Williams who first recorded it. Now you can be sure you know where this amazing soundtrack came from!