The 1947 revival of the song led to a number of artists recording it that year: It was re-released in the USA in 1949 as a 78rpm single (catalog number 20-3300-A) and a 45rpm single (catalog number 47-2888), with the flip side "Song of Songs". The record was also released, with the same flip side, in the United Kingdom, by HMV with catalog number BD-1180. The song was one side of a two-sided hit the flip side, " Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep)", reached No. The record first charted in Billboard on Augand lasted 12 weeks on the chart, peaking at No.
Perry Como's recording of Apwas released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-2259. Other artists followed quickly including J. Gaskin on Columbia and in November this record rose to number one as well, remaining so for eight weeks. First recorded by Jere Mahoney on Edison Records, it became the number one record in April and held the spot for five weeks it was also recorded by George J. "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" was the number one record in 1900. The song has been recorded by many artists in many styles, and over a period of more than a century. I love you as I lov'd you When you were sweet, when you were sweet sixteen. I love you as I never lov'd before, Since first I met you on the village green Come to me, or my dream of love is o'er. The form is strophic, two verses with a chorus. The lyrics of "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" are typical of the sentimental ballads of the 1890s. Stern and Co., and it consequently became the subject of a lawsuit. Thornton had sold it to two publishers, M. "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" sold over a million copies of sheet music. Thornton replied, "I love you like I did when you were sweet sixteen." Bonnie Thornton, a popular vaudeville singer who sang many of her husband's compositions, introduced the song in her act. "When You Were Sweet Sixteen", published in 1898, was inspired by Thornton's wife, Bonnie, when she asked her husband if he still loved her. James Thornton was a vaudevillian best-known during his life for his comedy monologues however, he composed numerous popular songs, especially in 1880s and 1890s.