Jean DuShon (Harris) recorded "For Once In My Life" (Murden) as a demo at the request of co-composer Ron Miller and later issued as a Cadet label single in 1966. This writer assumes Ron Miller's name is not listed as co-composer because of a conflict with Motown Records where he was a staff composer.

When Motown owner Berry Gordy heard that the song was recorded elsewhere he insisted it be recorded by Motown's Barbara McNair who was first to release this standard. "For Once In My Life" (Ron Miller - Orlando Murden) was recorded in 1965 and it was released as a B side the next year and on her album "Here I Am".

Tony Bennett (Benedetto) uses this song almost as a signature tune although it barely made the top one hundred, the tune hit number eight on the Easy Listening chart. One listen to the feeling and you can hear why it was a success.

Stevie Wonder's (Stevland Morris) cover from 1967 is more up-tempo and hit number three on the pop chart and number two on the R&B list in late 1968. That's James Jamerson on bass along with the Funk Brothers.