When You Were Sweet Sixteen

"When You Were Sweet Sixteen"
Cover, sheet music, 1898
Song
Published	1898
Writer(s)	James Thornton
Language	English

"When You Were Sweet Sixteen" is a popular song, written by James Thornton and published in 1898. Inspired and sung by the composer's wife, the ballad quickly became a hit song in vaudeville. It has a long recording history that includes numerous popular singers, has been heard on film, and is considered a standard of barbershop quartets.

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. "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. 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" sold over a million copies of sheet music. Thornton had sold it to two publishers, M. Witmark & Sons and Joseph W. Stern and Co., and it consequently became the subject of a lawsuit.

The lyrics of "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" are typical of the sentimental ballads of the 1890s. The form is strophic, two verses with a chorus.

Chorus:

The song has been recorded by many artists in many styles, and over a period of more than a century.

"When You Were Sweet Sixteen" was the number one record in 1900. 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. Gaskin on Columbia and in November this record rose to number one as well, remaining so for eight weeks. Other artists followed quickly including J. W. Myers (1901, Victor 1145) and Harry Macdonough (1901, Victor 1769).