" Younger than Springtime " is a song from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific. It is often recorded as a jazz standard.

The song is sung in the first part of the musical by Lieutenant Cable as he expresses his feelings for Liat, a young woman he recently met through her mother, Bloody Mary. The song highlights the idea that love can happen suddenly and does not always follow the rules about race that were common in the United States during that time.

In the original Broadway production, the song was performed by William Tabbert. In the 1958 film version, John Kerr mimed the performance to a vocal recording by Bill Lee.

Lyrical Analysis

Hammerstein used repetition as an important part of the song, repeating the words "am I" and "are you" when talking about Cable and Liat. He used phrases such as "softer than starlight," "gayer than laughter," and "younger than springtime."

Other notable recordings

• 1949 William Tabbert appeared on the Original Broadway Cast album.
• 1949 Dick Haymes appeared on the album Imagination.
• 1949 Gordon MacRae recorded for Capitol-602.
• 1949 Dinah Shore recorded for Columbia – 38460.
• 1950 Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians recorded for Decca 9-24668.
• 1952 Billy Eckstine appeared on the album Love Songs By Rodgers And Hammerstein.
• 1954 Rosemary Clooney recorded on May 3, 1954, and appeared on the album While We're Young.
• 1955 Margaret Whiting appeared on the album Love Songs by Margaret Whiting.
• 1956 Mario Lanza recorded for the album Lanza on B'way.
• 1957 The Andrews Sisters appeared on the album Fresh and Fancy Free.
• 1958 Bill Lee appeared on the film soundtrack album.
• 1958 Andy Williams released a version of the song on his album Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein.
• 1961 Matt Monro appeared on the album The Rarities Collection.
• 1963 Bing Crosby recorded the song for the South Pacific album in the Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre series.
• 1963 The Hi-Lo's recorded the song for the South Pacific album in the Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre series.
• 1963 Vic Damone appeared on his album On the Street Where You Live.
• 1965 Ken Dodd recorded for his album Tears of Happiness.
• 1966 John Gary recorded for his album Choice.
• 1967 Frank Sinatra recorded on September 20, 1967, and appeared on the album Movin' with Nancy.
• 1986 Mandy Patinkin appeared on the studio album South Pacific.
• 1991 Plácido Domingo appeared on the album The Broadway I Love.
• 1996 Bryn Terfel recorded the song for the album Something Wonderful: Bryn Terfel Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein.
• 1999 Judy Collins appeared on her album Classic Broadway.
• 2022 The song appeared in a scene in My Old School.