Introduction:
When one considers the vast landscape of popular song, certain melodies possess an almost immediate power to transport us, to evoke a poignant sense of time and emotion. “The Way We Were,” a composition of exquisite beauty by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by the incomparable Alan and Marilyn Bergman, is undeniably one such song. While intrinsically linked with Barbra Streisand’s definitive and powerhouse original from the 1973 film of the same name, this timeless piece also found a unique and deeply resonant voice in the hands of the legendary Perry Como.
Perry Como, a man whose very name became synonymous with relaxed charm and an effortlessly smooth baritone, approached “The Way We Were” with the distinctive grace that characterized his entire illustrious career. By the mid-1970s, when Como would have likely recorded or performed this standard, he was already an established and beloved figure, renowned for his cardigan-clad persona and a vocal style that felt like a comforting embrace. His interpretation, therefore, offers a fascinating counterpoint to the raw emotional intensity often associated with Streisand’s rendition.
Where the original might convey the sharper pangs of heartache and the vividness of cherished, yet perhaps painful, memories, Como’s rendition often brings a gentler, more wistful quality to the song. There is a profound sense of looking back, not necessarily with regret, but with a mature understanding of life’s passage and the bittersweet nature of remembrance. His delivery is typically unhurried, allowing the listener to absorb the lyrical sentiment, “Mem’ries light the corners of my mind,” with a quiet contemplation. The inherent melancholy of the song is present, of course, but it is often tempered by Como’s inherent warmth, suggesting a peaceful acceptance rather than a turbulent emotional struggle.
The orchestration accompanying Como’s versions of such standards typically complemented his vocal approach – lush, sophisticated, yet never overpowering. It allowed the melody and the sentiment to take center stage, with his voice guiding the listener through the emotional contours of the song. “The Way We Were,” with its sweeping melodic lines and deeply introspective lyrics about the indelible imprints of past relationships and experiences, was perfectly suited to Como’s gift for understated emotional expression.
To listen to Perry Como sing “The Way We Were” is to experience the song through a prism of seasoned reflection. It’s a reminder that profound feelings can be conveyed with subtlety and that nostalgia, while sometimes tinged with sadness, can also be a source of gentle comfort. His version serves as a testament to the song’s enduring power and its capacity to be reinterpreted by different artists, each bringing their unique perspective, yet all touching upon the universal human experience of looking back at the way we were. It remains a cherished rendition for those who appreciate classic songcraft delivered with impeccable vocal ease and heartfelt sincerity.