WHEN A CHILD IS BORN
by JOHNNY MATHIS


Texas-born singer Johnny Mathis released his first single in 1956, and made his UK chart debut in 1958 with the song Teacher Teacher and had his first Christmas hit that year with a version of Winter Wonderland. Entering the UK chart in November 1976, When A Child Is Born’s original melody was Soleado, a tune from 1974 by Ciro Dammicco (alias Zacar) who was the composer for Italy's Daniel Sentacruz Ensemble, and Dario Baldan Bembo.

Based on Damicco's earlier tune Le rose blu, published in 1972, the English language lyrics were written a few years later by Fred Jay, and was first performed by German singer Michael Holm in 1974 before Johnny Mathis got wind of it. Denying Showaddywaddy the coveted UK Official Singles Chart Christmas Number 1 spot with their version of Under The Moon Of Love, When A Child Is Born hit the top during Christmas week and remained there for three weeks 

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Music video

Official Charts logo Official Singles Chart

Chart facts

  • Peak position1
  • LabelCBS
  • Catalogue number4599
  • First Chart Date

Weeks on chart

  1. 3No1
  2. 6Top 10
  3. 8Top 20
  4. 10Top 40
  5. 12Top 75
  6. 13Top 100

Chart run

= Peak position = This week

12 weeks - 13/11/1976 to 29/01/1977

1 week - 04/01/2024

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Official Charts logo Official Singles Chart Update

Chart facts

  • Peak position88
  • LabelCOLUMBIA
  • Catalogue numberUSSM10403416
  • First Chart Date

Weeks on chart

  1. 0No1
  2. 0Top 10
  3. 0Top 20
  4. 0Top 40
  5. 0Top 75
  6. 1Top 100

Chart run

= Peak position = This week

1 week - 31/12/2023

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Official Charts logo Official Singles Sales Chart

Chart facts

  • Peak position97
  • LabelCOLUMBIA
  • Catalogue numberUSSM10403416
  • First Chart Date

Weeks on chart

  1. 0No1
  2. 0Top 10
  3. 0Top 20
  4. 0Top 40
  5. 0Top 75
  6. 1Top 100

Chart run

= Peak position = This week

1 week - 30/12/2021

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Official Charts logo Official Singles Downloads Chart

Chart facts

  • Peak position65
  • LabelSONY MUSIC
  • Catalogue numberUSSM10018703
  • First Chart Date

Weeks on chart

  1. 0No1
  2. 0Top 10
  3. 0Top 20
  4. 0Top 40
  5. 1Top 75
  6. 4Top 100

Chart run

= Peak position = This week

2 weeks - 23/12/2006 to 30/12/2006

1 week - 29/12/2007

1 week - 30/12/2021

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