I've Heard That Song Before I've Heard That Song Before "I've Heard That Song Before" is a 1942 popular song with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was introduced by Martha O'Driscoll (dubbed by Margaret Whiting) in the 1942 film "Youth on Parade". The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1942 but lost out to “White Christmas”. It was recorded by Harry James and his Orchestra with Helen Forrest on vocal on July 31, 1942. This was the last day of recording before the Musician Union's ban. The recording was issued on Columbia 36668 and
Academy Award for Best Original Song after the 1941 Academy Awards, when "The Last Time I Saw Paris", from the film "Lady Be Good", with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, won. Kern was upset that his song won because it had been published and recorded before it was used in the film. The song was actually written in 1940, after the Germans occupied Paris at the start of World War II. It was recorded by Kate Smith and peaked at No. 8 on the best seller list before it was used in the film. Kern got the Academy to change the