"Souvenirs" is a song written by Cy Coben^[2] and originally recorded and released by American singer Barbara Evans backed by Canadian composer Mort Garson and his Orchestra, the song was released in April 1959. The song failed to chart, peaking at 111 in the Bubbling Under Hot 100 in June 1959. Two successful non-English covers would follow, such as in German by expatriate American singer Bill Ramsey in June of that same year (peaking at Number 1 in West Germany in September 1959), and the most successful in French by French singer Johnny Hallyday, released in June 1960.

7-inch single RCA Victor 47-7519 (US)

A. "Souvenirs" (2:00)

B. "Pray for Me Mother" (2:10)^[2]

In the same year, the song was adapted into German by German poet Jonny Bartels. Sung by expatriate American Jazz singer Bill Ramsey as the b-side to "Mach Keinen Heck-Meck" ("Don't make a fuss") , it reached number one in West Germany in September 1959. The song was also released as a single in the US by Decca Records in February 1960 but failed to chart.

Later the song was adapted into French by Fernand Bonifay [fr].^[5] French singer Johnny Hallyday released it (under the title "Souvenirs, souvenirs") as an EP in June 1960 and would be featured on his debut album "Hello Johnny" later that year.