WHEN A CHILD IS BORN
by JOHNNY MATHIS

Texas-born singer Johnny Mathis released his first single in 1956, and made his UK chart debut in 1958 with the song Teacher Teacher and had his first Christmas hit that year with a version of Winter Wonderland. Entering the UK chart in November 1976, When A Child Is Born’s original melody was Soleado, a tune from 1974 by Ciro Dammicco (alias Zacar) who was the composer for Italy's Daniel Sentacruz Ensemble, and Dario Baldan Bembo.

Based on Damicco's earlier tune Le rose blu, published in 1972, the English language lyrics were written a few years later by Fred Jay, and was first performed by German singer Michael Holm in 1974 before Johnny Mathis got wind of it. Denying Showaddywaddy the coveted UK Official Singles Chart Christmas Number 1 spot with their version of Under The Moon Of Love, When A Child Is Born hit the top during Christmas week and remained there for three weeks