Before Engelbert Humperdinck’s velvet voice touched it, “Am I That Easy to Forget” was just another country tune—beautiful but largely unnoticed. The song had already lived a quiet life in Nashville, recorded by Carl Belew in 1959 and later by Jim Reeves in 1960. Both versions were heartfelt, rooted in the traditional sound of the American South. Yet somehow, the song never crossed oceans, never made it to the living rooms of Europe or the hearts of millions around the world.
Everything changed in 1968.
By the late ’60s, Engelbert was the rising gentleman of romance, following the success of “Release Me” and “The Last Waltz.” When he discovered “Am I That Easy to Forget,” he felt an instant connection. It wasn’t just the melody that caught his ear—it was the quiet ache hidden inside the lyrics. “It spoke to me,” he once said, “like someone whispering from the past.”
But Engelbert didn’t simply cover the song. He translated it emotionally. Where Jim Reeves sang it with the soft melancholy of a southern storyteller, Engelbert reimagined it as a cinematic confession—a European-style ballad wrapped in strings, echo, and tenderness. His producer added lush orchestration, transforming a modest country tune into a sweeping, timeless plea.
The world listened — and finally, remembered.
His version climbed charts in the UK, Ireland, and across Europe, peaking at number 3 in the UK Singles Chart. It was the first time that this once-forgotten song had truly traveled beyond the American radio stations that birthed it. Engelbert’s velvet baritone, paired with his elegant stage presence, gave the song an entirely new identity: no longer a cowboy’s lament, but a universal story of loss and longing.
There’s something almost poetic about how “Am I That Easy to Forget” found its destiny through Engelbert. The lyrics ask a question full of doubt — “Am I that easy to forget?” — yet ironically, his version made sure the song itself would never be forgotten again.
Decades later, the tune remains a highlight in his concerts. When he performs it live, fans still hold their breath during the final note. For many, it isn’t just about heartbreak—it’s about rediscovery. A reminder that even something overlooked can shine again, if sung with enough truth.
🎵 Suggested listening: “Am I That Easy to Forget” (1968) – Engelbert Humperdinck.
Lyrics:
They say you’ve found somebody new
But that won’t stop my loving you
I just can’t let you walk away
Forget the love I had for you
Guess I could find somebody new
But I don’t wan’t no one but you
How can you leave without regret?
Am I that easy to forget?
Before you leave be sure you find
You want his love much more than mine
‘Cause I’ll just say we’ve never met
If I’m that easy to forget
They say you’ve found somebody new
But that won’t stop my loving you
How could you leave without regret?
Am I that easy to forget?
Guess I could find somebody new
But I don’t wan’t no one but you
How can you leave without regret?
Am I that easy to forget?