Composed by three English songwriters, Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M Woods in 1932, first recorded by the Ray Noble Orchestra before Bing Crosby made it a hit the following year, and twice recorded by Frank Sinatra, it is Otis Redding's 1966 recording that is the definitive interpretation.
Produced by Isaac Hayes and backed by Booker T & the MGs, along with the Stax house horn section.
Otis was one of the greatest of soul singers and this is one of his best efforts. He pays attention to every phrase, word, and syllable. It may seem a strange connection but it reminds me of Joni Mitchell's vocal on A Case Of You where she differentiates her phrasing throughout the song to appropriately reflect the content of the lyrics.
And the arrangement is splendid. Every little musical touch is perfect. Pay attention to the little guitar riffs, keyboard touches, and horn flourishes. They all fit.
This video gives a taste of Otis performing the song. It's from his breakout performance at Monterrey Pop in July 1967. The first part is the audio over video of concert goers but he appears in the last minute.
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