| Composer | Hank Williams |
| Lyricist | Hank Williams |
| Year Written | 1950 |
About This Song
“Cold, Cold Heart” was written in 1951 by Hank Williams. Bennett was unsure about recording the original 1951 version, telling producer Mitch Miller he could sing it as he was not a country and western singer. Bennett recounted at a concert I attended that Mitch told him that “he’d record it even if he (Mitch) had to tie him to a tree. ‘And so he tied me to a tree’ Bennett quipped.”
View the lyrics
I tried so hard my dear to show that you’re my every dream
Yet you’re afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn’t do
In anger, unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind, and melt your cold, cold heart
You’ll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know you need and want my love, yet you’re afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life, to try it just ain’t smart
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart
Recordings
1951
Tony Bennett recorded “Cold, Cold Heart” on May 31, 1951. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.
CO 45833
Release History
1950s through 1990s
| 1951 | Columbia 78: 39449 |
| 1951 | Columbia 45: 4-39449 |
| 1952 | Columbia LP 10″: CL 6221 — Because Of You |
| 1955 | Columbia LP 12″: CL 613 — Hall of Fame Series: A Treasure Chest of Song Hits |
| 1958 | Columbia LP 12″: CS 8652 — Tony’s Greatest Hits |
| 1958 | Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1229 — Greatest Hits |
| 1966 | CBS LP 12″: DP 66010 — A String Of Tony’s Hits (UK) |
| 1971 | CBS LP 12″: 70115 — The Last Picture Show – Soundtrack |
| 1986 | Columbia CD: — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1986 | CBS/Sony CD: 32DP-558 — 16 Most Requested Songs [Japan] |
| 1987 | CBS Special Products CD: A 20704 — Your Hit Parade – 1951 |
| 1990 | Columbia/Legacy CD: CK-40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1990 | Columbia/Legacy CD: 40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1991 | Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett |
| 1992 | Sony Mid-Price CD: 4724182 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1993 | CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6641 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett |
| 1999 | Sony International CD: 91207 — The Essential Tony Bennett: A Retrospective |
2000s
| 2000 | Blue Jackel CD: 8427328030137 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits |
| 2001 | Blue Moon CD: BMCD 8001 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits [Spain] |
| 2002 | Sony Music CD: SRCS-9093 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 2004 | Solo CD: 1214 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits |
| 2004 | Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett |
| 2004 | Blue Moon CD: BMCD 3013 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits [Spain] |
| 2004 | Sepia Records CD: SEPIA 1028 — The Young Tony Bennett |
| 2005 | Sony Music CD: 4721952 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 2005 | ASV/Living Era CD: 5512 — Take My Hand |
| 2006 | RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 84786 — Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Of The ’50s |
| 2006 | Naxos Nostalgia CD: 8120803 — While We’re Young: Original Recordings 1950-1955 |
| 2007 | Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony |
| 2008 | Impact CD: 11105 — Purely |
| 2008 | Columbia/RPM/Legacy CD: 731397 — The Essential Tony Bennett [Limited Edition 3.0] |
| 2011 | Columbia The Complete Collection — Disc 3 The Columbia Singles |
| 2013 | Columbia CD — Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett |