He was also musical director for a large number of musicals and other plays, including ones by Noel Coward. After the war, he concentrated on recording, and eventually gave up live performance altogether. He worked with arranger and composer Ronnie Binge, who developed the "cascading strings" sound (also known as the "Mantovani sound").[citation needed] His records were regulars in stores selling hi-fi stereo equipment, as they were produced and arranged for stereo reproduction. In 1952 Binge ceased to arrange for Mantovani, but his distinctive sound remained.
He recorded for Decca until the mid-1950s, and then London Records. He recorded over 50 albums on that label, many of which were top-40 hits. These included Song from Moulin Rouge and Cara Mia, which reached No. 1 in Britain in 1953 and 1954, respectively. The latter was also Mantovani's first U.S. Top Ten hit.
In the United States, between 1955 and 1972, he released over 40 albums with 27 reaching the Top 40 and 11 the Top Ten. His biggest success was with the album Film Encores, which made it to No. 1 in 1957. Similarly, Mantovani Plays Music From 'Exodus' and Other Great Themes made it to No. 2 in 1961 and sold over one million albums.
In 1959, Mantovani starred in his own syndicated television series, Mantovani, which was produced in England and which aired in the United States. 39 episodes were filmed.[1]
Mantovani made his last recordings in 1975.[citation needed]
[edit] Music style and influences
The cascading strings technique developed by Binge became Mantovani's hallmark in such hits arranged by Binge as "Charmaine". Binge developed this technique to replicate the echo experienced in venues such as cathedrals by arrangement alone, in an echo-free surrounding.
Author Joseph Lanza describes Mantovani's string arrangements as the most "rich and mellifluous" of the emerging light music style during the early 1950s. He stated that Mantovani was a leader in the use of new studio technologies to "create sound tapestries with innumerable strings", and that "the sustained hum of Mantovani's reverberated violins produced a sonic vaporizer foreshadowing the synthesizer harmonics of space music."[2]
In 1958 Mantovani and his family bought a holiday home in Bournemouth in Durley Chine Road, then in 1961 acquired a new property in Burton Road (now part of Poole). He moved, finally, to a new home in Martello Road in Poole.
Since his death at a care home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1980, his music has enjoyed a minor revival,[citation needed] with much of his catalogue reappearing on CD and an orchestra bearing his name performing concert tours. The saleability of the Mantovani name is underscored by new recordings being made as the Mantovani Orchestra. Unfortunately[neutrality is disputed], a large number of CDs are also available of unauthorized recordings, billed as Mantovani or Mantovani Orchestra.[citation needed] There have also been CDs released under the Mantovani name of recordings made by others while Mantovani was still alive.[citation needed] Thus, consumers of this music are advised to familiarize themselves with the conductor's discography. Material with the London Records logo on it is apt to be genuine Mantovani, while other recordings are less likely to be actual Mantovani recordings.[citation needed]
The continued popularity of Mantovani's music is evident by the number of original albums which are being released, on labels such as Dutton-Vocalion, and by the many compilations available throughout the world. In 2008, as a result of successful, ongoing CD sales, amongst other contributing factors, the Mantovani Orchestra (performing from the original scores) was recreated for a tremendously successful historical tribute concert, sponsored by Bentley Motors, held at the Lighthouse, in Poole, England, on 27 January, conducted by Sam Newgarth, MBE. Much critical acclaim has led to the planning of a second concert, to take place in January 2009, at the same venue. There are four Mantovani websites in honour of the maestro, a written biography by Colin MacKenzie entitled Mantovani - A Lifetime In Music (ISBN 1-905226-19-5). For further information, please visit http://www.hallowquest.com/mantiindex.htm; http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/torumonty; http://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk (re. ticket sales for 31 January 2009). A ten CD set 'The Wonderful World of Mantovani' was released in November 2008 in Japan (a link to the website in Japan may be found by visiting www.hallowquest.com/mantiindex.htm), featuring many rare tracks which have never been released on CD before, in a superbly remastered format, and, following the success of the Mantovani Orchestra's 2008 concert, 'More MANTOVANI Magic' took place at Lighthouse in Poole, England, on 31 January 2009, again conducted by maestro Sam Newgarth MBE. The concert was sponsored by Poole Audi, and also with the generous support of Richard Cox.
You Only Live Twice
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One life for yourself, and one for your dreams
You drift through the years and life seems tame
Till one dream appears and love is its name
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone
This dream is for you, so pay the price
Make one dream come true, you only live twice
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone
This dream is for you, so pay the price
Make one dream come true, you only live twice
In Mantovani's song "You Only Live Twice", he talks about the idea that we only have one life to live, but this may not be entirely accurate. The first verse suggests that we have a life for ourselves and one for our dreams which leads to the idea that we have two lives. The idea of drifting through life and it being fairly uneventful until love shows up is a common and relatable experience. The singer then warns about the dangers of love and the stranger that comes with it, but also encourages pursuit of the dream as it is worth the danger. This repeated idea of living twice seems to suggest that we should make the most of our lives and not shy away from opportunities even if they pose a risk.
The lyrics also suggest that love may be a driving force in life and is worth pursuing, despite the potential dangers. The idea of love being a stranger who beckons us on, yet may disappear at any moment, is a haunting and relatable sentiment. The repeated idea of paying the price for one's dreams further emphasizes the concept of going after what we want in life, regardless of the potential costs.
Overall, the song seems to encourage listeners to live fully and without regrets, pursuing their dreams and taking risks when necessary in order to find joy and fulfillment in life.
Line by Line Meaning
You only live twice, or so it seems
You have two chances to live life to the fullest, but it may seem like you only have one.
One life for yourself, and one for your dreams
One life is dedicated to living for yourself, and the next is dedicated to pursuing your dreams.
You drift through the years and life seems tame
As you live your life, you may fall into a routine that seems dull and uneventful.
Till one dream appears and love is its name
Then one day, a dream appears and it is filled with love.
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
Love is mysterious and unpredictable, yet it will urge you to follow it.
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone
Don't focus on the potential risks involved because once the opportunity passes, it may be gone forever.
This dream is for you, so pay the price
This dream is meant for you, but it may come at a cost.
Make one dream come true, you only live twice
Make one of your dreams come true because you only have two chances to live life fully.
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
Love may still be elusive and tempting, driving you to follow it.
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone
Again, don't be afraid of the risks, or you may miss your chance.
This dream is for you, so pay the price
Remember, this dream is meant for you alone, and it may require a considerable sacrifice to achieve it.
Make one dream come true, you only live twice
Once more, seize the opportunity to make one of your dreams a reality. You only have two chances in this life, so live it fully.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: John Barry, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Terry Dullaghan
As smooth as velvet, his violin section were superb, I always know if it’s Montavani when I hear the violins creeping in so quietly.
Thank you for making this piece everlasting.
John Kingsley
Thank you so much for putting this on YouTube! I can't believe it! This particular Mantovani record was a gift to me for Christmas in 1967, and this particular song meant so much to me! I never knew what happened to the record. This is the first time since 1967 that I've heard it again. Thank you Marvin W.!
john gould
Have always loved this unusual melody. Have this recording from the 60"s just because it had You Only Live Twice on it. Very lush sounding rendition of the movie theme. Haven"t heard this in years. Great to hear it again.
Stephen Balestrini
The most beautiful haunting version i have ever heard, always been my favorite down through the years, the version most easy listening radio stations played, although they no longer exist😪
Mark Dorais
Absolutely love this magical version by the masterful Mantovani. Thanks for sharing.
john kaylor
I totally agree with your characterization. There is something strangely beautiful about THIS particular recording. Even though the recording is old and scratchy, it seems to transcend any other recording, to me. It is THE best (strangely beautiful) recording of this luscious melody.
John Kingsley
Thank you so much, Marvin W. for putting this on You Tube! I can hardly believe it! This album was a gift to me for Christmas in 1967, and this particular song arrangement was my favorite. It has so many good memories. This is the first time I've heard (and seen!) this record since 1967. We moved and I never knew what happened to it. Thank you!
Zoltan875
The strings in this performance are so markedly etheral...Bravo Mr. Broccoli for composing it....and bravo Mr. Mantovani for conducting those strings....
MCP2012
John Barry composed it. Broccoli was, along with his partner at the time, Saltzman, one of the producers of the movie.
Robert Roberto
Broccoli/Saltzman UA Production 1967.John Barry/Leslie Bricusse Composition.Haunting Spectacular.