Careless Hands

"Careless Hands" is a popular song written by Carl Sigman and Bob Hilliard, and first recorded in 1948.

The song was originally recorded by Sammy Kaye with vocals by Don Cornell,^[1] and then recorded in 1949 by Mel Tormé, whose version reached no.1 on the US pop chart and became Tormé's first major success.^[2] It was also recorded by many other singers including Bing Crosby (recorded March 22, 1949)^[3] and Al Martino.^[1] There were no less than four charted versions in 1949, by Mel Tormé (No. 1), Sammy Kaye (No. 3), Bing Crosby (No. 12) and Bob & Jeanne (No. 21).^[4]

In the UK, a version by comedian and entertainer Des O'Connor reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in 1967.^[5]

In 1971, "Careless Hands" was recorded by American country music artist Dottie West. It was released as a single, peaking at number 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in April 1971. The song was subsequently released on a studio album of the same name.^[6]