The lyrics of "Surrender" are thought to be inspired by the surrender of Japan and Germany in World War II and the connections between surrendering in love and war.[1]
On April 2, 1946, Perry Como recorded "Surrender" with Russ Case and his Orchestra.[2] After the song was released in June 1946,[3]Billboard called Como's version of "Surrender" a "slow dreamy arrangement" [3] and praised the performance by Russ Cass's orchestra.[4] Como's recording of "Surrender" went to sell over a million copies.[5]
Como's version of "Surrender" peaked at #2 on the Most Played Juke Box Records chart on July 20, 1946.[6] A few weeks later on August 3, 1946, "Surrender" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Best Selling Popular Retail Records[7] and #2 on the Records Most Played on the Air chart.[8] Outside of Billboard, Como's rendition of "Surrender" peaked at number 2 on Your Hit Parade.[1]
In June 1946, Woody Herman released a cover of "Surrender" with the Blue Flames. Billboard said Herman's rendition of "Surrender" with the Blue Flames had an enjoyable saxophone performance and did "full justice to the ballad plait".[9]
From July to October 1946, Herman's version peaked at #8 on Billboard's Records Most Played on the Air[10] and #12 on Most Played Jukebox Records charts.[11]
Throughout 1946, multiple versions of "Surrender" were released. Billboard said that Phil Brito's cover was apt for his vocals[12] while Tony Pastor's version was "pure corn".[13]
Other recorded versions of "Surrender" include:[14]
