Frank Sinatra had a hit with the song “High Hopes” in 1959, which he had performed in a Frank Capra movie called “A Hole in the Head.” The music was written by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. Most people of a certain age are at least somewhat familiar with the tune.
Subsequently, Sinatra approached Cahn with the idea of developing a new set of lyrics that could be used as a campaign song for John F. Kennedy for his 1960 presidential run.
Some people may remember that there was in fact another campaign song actually commissioned by the Kennedy campaign called “Kennedy, Kennedy.”
[A]fter the convention, the campaign would commission a song, “Kennedy, Kennedy” with a jumpy mix of graphics and still photos used as a television commercial [which] sought to convey through its lyrics the idea of Kennedy as old enough to be seasoned and experienced but young enough to innovate policy with new ideas.
To my ear the “Kennedy, Kennedy” tune sounds like it came straight out of Madison Avenue, very much in the style of what might be used to sell toothpaste, or perhaps involving marching popcorn and candy at the drive-in.
As for the Sinatra re-working of “High Hopes,” it was made into a 45rpm record and sold to the general public.
And, according to one source, “it was placed in diner and bar jukeboxes in primary states Kennedy needed to win if he hoped to nab the nomination . . . and played at rallies and a few television and radio commercials.”
Two very different songs, each with its own charm, but I think I’ll stick with Frank. You can make up your own mind.