Wanted (Perry Como song)

"Wanted" is a popular song written by Jack Fulton and Lois Steele. A recording by Perry Como was the most popular version, reaching No. 1 in the US. Al Martino also recorded a version which reached No. 4 in the UK.^[1]

"Wanted"
Single by Perry Como
B-side	"Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain)"
Released	1954 (1954)
Recorded	December 29, 1953 Manhattan Center, New York City
Label	RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)	Jack Fulton Lois Steele
Perry Como singles chronology
"You Alone (Solo Tu)" (1953) "Wanted" (1954) "Idle Gossip" (1954)

Background

Perry Como recorded a version on December 29, 1953. This song was accompanied by Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra and chorus, and it was recorded at Manhattan Center, New York City.^[2] It was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-5647 (in US)^[3] and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10691.^[4] The flip side of the US version was "Look Out The Window (And See How I'm Standing In The Rain)".^[5] Como's version of "Wanted" reached No. 1 on Billboard's chart in 1954.^[6] It was the most played song on radio as well as on jukebox in the US in 1954, and the second best-selling song of the year.^[7]

Charts

Chart (1954)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[8]	4
US Best Sellers in Stores (Billboard)[9]	1
US Cash Box[10]	1

Other recordings

• Al Martino also had a top 10 hit with the song in the United Kingdom.^[11]
• Another early recorded version is by singer pianist Moon Mullican.^{[citation needed]}
• Anne Murray recorded a cover of the song for her album Croonin' (1993).

Popular culture

• The song was featured in a Christmas episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati", in a flashback to 12/24/54.

References

1. "Al Martino". The Official Charts Company.
2. "Perry Como Discography". Kokomo.ca. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
3. "RCA Victor 20-5500 - 20-6000 78rpm numerical listing discography". 78discography.com. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
4. "45worlds.com". 45worlds.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
5. "This Week Best Buy". Billboard. February 8, 1954. p. 30.
6. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 100. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
7. "1954's Top Popular Records". Billboard. December 25, 1954. p. 17.
8. "Perry Como: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
9. "The Billboard Popularity Chart > Best Sellers in Stores". Billboard. April 24, 1954. p. 38.
10. "The Cash Box Best-Selling Singles: Week ending April 17, 1954". Tropicalglen.com.
11. Roberts, David (2005). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records. p. 325. ISBN 1-904994-00-8.