By Tam Music 
About the song
Engelbert Humperdinck Remembers His Father on Father’s Day: A Son’s Timeless Gratitude
As Father’s Day arrives each year, memories of family and love fill the air — and for legendary crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, the day holds a particularly deep meaning. Known around the world for his velvet voice and timeless romantic hits like “The Last Waltz,” “Release Me,” and “After the Lovin’,” Engelbert often credits his strength, discipline, and humility to the man who first taught him about life: his father.
Now in his late eighties, Engelbert continues to reflect on his extraordinary journey — from a young boy in Leicester to one of the most celebrated singers of all time — and he never forgets the man who helped shape that journey.
A Father’s Wisdom
Engelbert was born Arnold George Dorsey in Madras, India, in 1936, one of ten children in a British military family. His father, Mervyn Dorsey, served in the British Army and later settled with his family in England after the war. The discipline, integrity, and compassion that defined Engelbert’s father became the foundation of the values he carried throughout his life.
“My dad was a true gentleman,” Engelbert has often said. “He believed in hard work, in kindness, and in always keeping your word. He taught me to treat people the same way you want to be treated — with respect.”
Growing up in a large family wasn’t easy. Money was tight, and his parents worked tirelessly to provide for their children. Yet, even in the toughest times, his father’s faith in perseverance never wavered. Engelbert remembers him as a man of quiet strength — someone who led not by shouting, but by example.
“He wasn’t a man of many words,” he once recalled. “But when he spoke, you listened. And when he smiled, the whole house lit up.”
The Early Encouragement
Before the world knew him as Engelbert Humperdinck, Arnold Dorsey was just a shy boy with a stutter — one who dreamed of singing but often lacked the confidence to perform. His father was the first to notice his love for music and encouraged him to pursue it, even when the odds seemed impossible.
“He believed in me when no one else did,” Engelbert said. “He used to say, ‘Son, if you’ve got a gift, don’t hide it — share it.’ That’s stayed with me my entire life.”
It was his father’s gentle encouragement that pushed him to sing in small clubs, working his way up while juggling odd jobs to support himself. When success seemed distant, it was his father’s voice in his mind that kept him going.
“He told me once that every mountain looks impossible until you start climbing,” Engelbert said. “And he was right.”
Success and the Wish to Make Him Proud
When Engelbert finally found fame in the mid-1960s — after changing his name on the advice of manager Gordon Mills — his father was there to see it happen. The release of “Release Me” in 1967 catapulted him into stardom, earning him worldwide acclaim.
“I’ll never forget the day my dad saw my name on a marquee for the first time,” he reminisced. “He stood there smiling, shaking his head, saying, ‘That’s my boy.’ It was the proudest moment of my life.”
Despite his newfound fame, Engelbert never forgot his roots. He continued to visit his parents whenever possible, calling home between shows, and sending gifts and letters from around the world.
“He kept me grounded,” Engelbert shared. “He reminded me that no matter how far you go, you never forget where you came from.”
The Pain of Goodbye
When his father passed away, Engelbert was devastated. He was already a global star, performing on international stages, but no amount of applause could fill the emptiness that loss left behind.
“Losing my dad was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced,” he said. “He was my hero. Everything I’ve achieved — every song, every performance — I’ve done with him in my heart.”
Even now, decades later, Engelbert often dedicates performances to his parents, especially his father, whose spirit he feels beside him on stage. “Sometimes, when I’m singing, I can almost hear him,” he said. “He’s still there — in every note, in every smile.”
Lessons That Never Fade
Engelbert believes that his father’s greatest gift wasn’t advice or support — it was the example he set through kindness, humility, and quiet resilience. “He taught me that success isn’t about how much you have,” Engelbert once said. “It’s about how much you give back, how much you love, and how much you forgive.”
Every Father’s Day, Engelbert takes a quiet moment to honor that legacy. He doesn’t just remember his father — he celebrates him through song. He often shares emotional tributes with fans online, encouraging others to cherish their parents while they can.
“If you’re lucky enough to still have your father,” he has said, “tell him you love him. Don’t wait for tomorrow. I’d give anything to tell mine one more time.”
A Song from the Heart
Today, as Engelbert looks back on his long and extraordinary career, the lessons of his father remain his guiding light. Whether performing on grand stages or recording intimate ballads, every melody carries a touch of that early love — the love of a father who believed in a boy before the world ever did.
“He taught me what being a man truly means,” Engelbert said softly. “And I hope, wherever he is, he knows how much I love him — not just today, but every day.”
Happy Father’s Day, Mr. Dorsey — from the son whose voice carried your wisdom to the world.