If I Could Almost Read Your Mind

Words and Music by Ray Charles and Nick Perito

Arranged and Conducted by Nick Perito

 

2nd recording 1980 'Live'  ~

 

Arranged and Conducted by Nick Perito

with Vocal Arrangements by Ray Charles

 

Live recording on location produced by Mike Berniker

Time 31:36 Side A and 28:42 Side B applause and talk included

 

Recording Engineer: Mike Moran

RCA Mobile Unit: Ron Olson and Tom Brown

Mastering Engineer: Mike Posner

 

Recorded 'Live' at the Mill Run Theatre, Niles, Illinois, July 29th, 30th, 31st, 1980

Album issue: RCA-LP12 "Perry Como Live On Tour" AQL1-3826 STEREO 1981

 

 

           | Lyrics | 1970 Album | 1980 Album | Digital Finder |

Notes: ~ Canadian folksinger Gordon Lightfoot had a popular recording titled "If You Could Read My Mind"

which is often confused with this special-material composition by Ray Charles and Nick Perito. The Lightfoot

song has no connection with this song but it was on the charts at about the same time as Mr. Como's recording

of "It's Impossible" and not long following release of this live album. The Como song pokes fun at his public

persona and it was used many times in live performance with slight variations in the lyric. Through the use

of very clever lyrics and self depreciating humor, Mr. Como delivers the song with impeccable diction and

timing. During the 1970s Canadian impressionist Rich Little appeared on a Como Christmas Special and

imitated Mr. C. with special lyrics in a similar vein: "I'm beginning to sound a lot like Perrry! So relaxed

and cooool! My impression would be complete, and it would be really neat, to fall asleep while sitting

on his stool!" ( to the tune of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" which was a popular

single for Mr. C. in 1951/52 )

A Perry Como Discography 

& Digital Companion

| Site Links | All Albums |  All Songs | The Recording Sessions |

First Edition Summer 1992

Second Edition Christmas 1993

Web Page Edition Christmas 1997

25th Anniversary Revision November, 2017

Digital Upgrade August, 2018

July 2026 Revised Edition

 

 

George Townsend

HQV Selekt Group

3 Seaview Avenue

Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2G3

Canada

 

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Monday, July 27, 2026

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