It's Impossible ( Somos Novios )

Original music and Spanish lyrics by Canache Armando Manzanero, 1970

with English lyrics by Sid Wayne

BMG Songs Inc. ASCAP & BMG / EDIM, S.A. DE C.V.

Original single recording 1970 ~

Arranged and Conducted by Marty Manning

Produced by Ernie Altschuler

Recorded in RCA Victor's Studio A, New York City

Recording Engineer: Bob Simpson

Recording Time 3:12 Intro: 14 End: Cold

Recorded May 5, 1970 ~ Matrix No. ZPA1-5388 Take 1 +

Remake May 6, 1970 ~ Matrix No. ZPA1-5388 Take u/k

SESSION MUSICIANS

Orchestra Session

AFTERNOON 1:30PM TO 4:30 PM

Leader / Arranger: Marty Manning

Contractor: Sandy Block

Copyist: Wedo Matasco

Cello ~ George Ricci, Harvey Shapiro, Charles McCracken, Seymour Barab

Violin ~ George Ockner, Tosha Samaroff, Sylvan Shulman, Mac Ceppos, Jack Zayde, Julius Schacter, Max Pollikoff, Max Hollander, John Rublowsky

Trombone ~ Buddy Morrow, Warren Covington, Tony Studd, Alan Raph

Piano ~ Dick Hyman

Guitar ~ Vinnie Bell, Jay Berliner

Fender ~ Ron Carter

Drums ~ Donald McDonald

Conga ~ Ray Berretto

Original issue: Victor 74-0387 Side 1

Single Flip Side: "Long Life, Lots of Happiness"

US Chart Position No. 10

Charted Adult Contemporary No. 1

UK Single release: RCA 2043 ( January 1971 )

Single Flip Side: "Long Life, Lots of Happiness"

UK Chart Position No. 4

YUGOSLAVIA Single release: RCA Jugoton SRCA-8435-A

Single Flip Side: "Long Life, Lots of Happiness"

France Single release: RCA 49715

Single Flip Side: "Long Life, Lots of Happiness"

RCA Records Chile Single release: 74-0387 ( 1971 )

Single Flip Side: "Larga Vida, Montones de Felicidad ( Long Life, Lot's of Happiness )"

RCA Gold Standard Series 45-RPM-447-0858

Single Flip Side: "Seattle"

UK Single Maxi Million Series 45-RPM RCA 2606-A

Single Flip Side: "For the Good Times" and "I Think of You"

Collectables Single release: COL-860027

Single Flip Side: "Seattle"

Album issue: RCA-LP12 "It's Impossible" LSP-4473 STEREO DECEMBER 1970

Album issue: RCA-45RPM EP "Somos Novios" MKE-1352 MEXICO STEREO 1971

Album Re- issue: RCA-LP12 "It's Impossible" AYL1-3804 STEREO 1975

Note: At least two separate 'takes' were recorded for "It's Impossible" on the 5th and 6th of May, 1970, but it's not known which one was released as the original single and included within the album. The original release was included in the 1976 compilation "A Legendary Performer" and within the album notes Perry makes reference to having recorded the song twice. The alternate take of this recording was inadvertently included within the 1992 compact disc release of this album.

"It's Impossible" Japan Single with flip side "Long Life, Lot's of Happiness"

"It's Impossible" German Single with flip side "Long Life, Lot's of Happiness"

This 1970 hit was Perry's first big success since 1958, when he struck gold with 'Catch a Falling Star'. Somehow, he had managed to survive the change in musical style of the 1960s and made a 'comeback' with a new hit. The melody was by one of Mexico's most prolific and melodic songwriters ( and performers ), Armando Manzanero. Sid Wayne, who composed such hits as 'See You in September' and 'The Language of Love', wrote the lyrics. 'It's Impossible' helped to bring pretty melodies back into rock-heavy popular music and is well on the way to becoming Perry's 14th Gold Record.

( notes from "The Incomparable Como" Readers Digest UK compilation 1975 )

| Lyrics | The Album | Sessions | Album Links | CD-Finder |

Recorded "Live" on location 1980 ~

Arranged and Conducted by Nick Perito

with Vocal Arrangements by Ray Charles

Live recording on location produced by Mike Berniker

Time 31:36 Side A and 28:42 Side B applause and talk included

Recording Engineer: Mike Moran

RCA Mobile Unit: Ron Olson and Tom Brown

Mastering Engineer: Mike Posner

Recorded 'Live' at the Mill Run Theatre, Niles, Illinois, July 29th, 30th, 31st, 1980

Album issue: RCA-LP12 "Perry Como Live On Tour" AQL1-3826 STEREO 1981

Note: The opening Overture ( Como Medley ) includes: Till the End of Time / Round and Round / Catch a Falling Star / Prisoner of Love / Temptation / Hot Diggity / It's Impossible arranged and conducted by Nick Perito

"It's Impossible" was written by Sid Wayne and Armando Manzanero and popularized by Perry Como in 1970. His recording ( RCA 74-0387 ) reached #10 on Billboard's Hot 100 and number one on the Easy-Listening chart. Sales easily exceeded one million copies. The original title of the song was "Somos Novios." Armando Manzanero was the first Mexican RCA recording artist to sell over a million dollars worth of records. Another composition of Manzanero, "Yesterday I Heard the Rain," was recorded by Perry and included in the 1971 album "I Think of You" LSP-4539, immediately following.