Frank Sinatra - “Fly Me to the Moon”

The song “Fly Me to the Moon” was written by Bart Howard and originally recorded by Kaye Ballard in 1954. Frank Sinatra recorded the song 10 years later in June of 1964 and included it on his album, “It Might as Well Be Swing.” The music for “Fly Me to the Moon” was arranged by Quincy Jones and accompanied by the jazz orchestra of the famous Count Basie. The song was recorded in Los Angeles under the Reprise Records label which was founded by Sinatra in 1960. (1)

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During the 1960s, the race to the moon was underway, with the United States trying to grab bragger’s rights over the Russians. Because of the events occurring at the time the song was recorded, and the key lyrics, “fly me to the moon,” the song became associated with the Apollo missions. The song was played aboard Apollo 10 and later aboard Apollo 11 prior to mankind first landing on the Moon in 1969. This landing included the first walk of a human on the Moon by astronaut Neil Armstrong which included the famous phrase, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” (1)

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The formation of Reprise Records gave Frank Sinatra more control over his own recordings. Reprise also recorded music legends such as Dean Marin and Sammy Davis, Jr. (the Rat Pack), crooner Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, daughter Nancy Sinatra (“These Boots are Made for Walkin’”) and Rosemary Clooney. The Reprise label still exists today and includes musical artists such as Michael Bublé, Eric Clapton, Josh Groban, Stevie Nicks, and Dwight Yoakam. Reprise Records is currently owned by Warner Brothers.  (1)

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Over the years, “Fly Me to the Moon” has been recorded by over 300 musical artists. The song was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999. (1) Wiki

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