In 1962, following the success of Bye Bye Birdie, composer Charles Strouse and lyricist Lee Adams teamed up with book writer Mel Brooks (largely unknown at the time) to create a new Broadway musical called All American. The show, which starred Ray Bolger, closed after 80 performances, and quickly faded from memory. But one song endured and became a standard, performed by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, and Bob Dylan.
“Once Upon a Time” is a wistful reflection on youthful love, loss, memory, and the passage of time. Here, the song is performed by the late Charles Strouse:
