Introduction
Engelbert Humperdinck Talks Dueting with His 9-Year-Old Granddaughter
Some musical moments become memorable not simply because of the voices involved, but because of the family story behind them. Engelbert Humperdinck’s duet with his nine-year-old granddaughter Olivia is one of those special moments. The song, “I’m Glad I Danced With You,” appeared on his 2017 album The Man I Want to Be, an album Engelbert described as a love letter to his wife, Patricia.
The song has a deeply personal foundation. Engelbert has explained that he met Patricia when she was 17 at a dance hall and asked her to dance. That meeting became the beginning of a relationship that lasted for decades. “I’m Glad I Danced With You” reflects on that first encounter and the life they built together, giving the song a nostalgic and intimate character.
What makes the recording especially touching is Olivia’s involvement. Engelbert revealed that Olivia had just turned nine when she recorded the song. He said she was shy and normally sang only at home, but after being encouraged to perform, she stepped into the studio and impressed him. He later recalled that she had to be promised her first puppy before agreeing to sing for others.
The collaboration was also truly a family project. The song was written by Engelbert’s daughter Louise Dorsey, together with Tony Taliaferro and Jim Martin, and Olivia provided the youthful voice alongside her grandfather. It was the only duet on The Man I Want to Be.
When Engelbert and Olivia performed the song, audiences responded warmly, with one documented performance receiving a standing ovation. More than a simple duet, the recording connects generations through a song about love, memory, and gratitude. It remains a particularly personal chapter in Engelbert’s long musical career.