"Sentimental Journey" is a popular song published in 1944. The music was written by Les Brown and Ben Homer, and the lyrics were written by Bud Green.

History

Les Brown and His Band of Renown had been performing the song, but were unable to record it because of the 1942–44 musicians' strike. When the strike ended, the band, with Doris Day as vocalist, recorded the song for Columbia Records on November 20, 1944, and they had a hit record with the song, Doris Day's first number one hit, in 1945. The song's release coincided with the end of the Second World War in Europe and became the unofficial homecoming theme for many veterans. The recording was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 36769, with the flip side "Twilight Time". The record first reached the Billboard chart on March 29, 1945, and lasted 23 weeks on the chart, peaking at number one. The song reached the chart after the later-recorded "My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time".

Lyrics

The song describes someone about to take a train to a place to which they have a great emotional attachment, and their mounting anticipation while wondering why they ever roamed away. The opening verse is: <poem style="margin-left: 24px; font-style: italic;"> Gonna take a sentimental journey Gonna set my heart at ease Gonna make a sentimental journey To renew old memories.

Cover versions

Ringo Starr would later cover the song as the titular track from his 1970 debut solo album, following the break-up of The Beatles.