I Wanna Be Around

"I Wanna Be Around" is a popular song.

The song is credited to Sadie Vimmerstedt and Johnny Mercer. Mrs. Vimmerstedt was a housewife [ [http://www.kokomo.ca/pop_standards/i_wanna_be_around.htm Details on the song] ] (or a beautician [ [http://www.ozsons.com/johnnymercerE.htm Johnny Mercer story, including how he came to write the song] ] ) in Columbus, Ohio, who sent Mercer an idea for the song, as well as giving Mercer the title. Mercer wrote the song and agreed to share royalties and credits with Mrs. Vimmerstedt. [ [http://www.johnnymercer.com/FAQ/I%20Wanna%20Be%20Around%20to%20pick%20up%20the%20pieces.htm Story of the song's composition] ] The song was published in 1959.

Tony Bennett's 1963 recording remains the best known version of the song,(#14 pop, #5 easy listening) however, it has been recorded by many other artists, including Frank Sinatra, who recorded the song for his 1964 album with Count Basie & Quincy Jones, "It Might As Well Be Swing".

The song was to be included as a part of The Beach Boys project SMiLE, but the project was scrapped, but later finished in 2004 by Brian Wilson.

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