The Rat Pack glorification of hard-drinkin’ Dino means that even conformist outings like this get compiled and recycled repeatedly as totems of a seedy glamour. If you knew nothing about Dean Martin the man, though, you’d hear this for what it is: pinpoint pop craftsmanship applied to cloying sentiment. The tune sticks in your head immediately and the arrangement is distinctive – those murmuring backing vocals giving an almost doo-wop feel to the recording. Martin’s on professional form, and it’s only when you listen closely that you realise what a smarmy song this snapshot of happy home-making is.

Score: 4

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