<P> In a 2002 UK poll, "Wind Beneath My Wings" was found to be the most - played song at British funerals . </P> <P> Silbar and Henley recorded a demo of the song, which they gave to musician Bob Montgomery . Montgomery then recorded his own demo version of the song, changing it from the mid-tempo version he was given to a ballad . Silbar and Henley then shopped the song to many artists, eventually resulting in Roger Whittaker becoming the first to release the song commercially . It appeared on his 1982 studio album, also titled The Wind Beneath My Wings . </P> <P> The song was very shortly thereafter recorded by Australian artist Colleen Hewett and released by Avenue Records in 1982 . Hewitt's recording became the first version of the song to be issued as a single and to appear on a national chart, peaking at #52 on Australia's Kent Music Report chart . </P> <P> The first year "Wind Beneath My Wings" appeared on music industry trade publication charts in the United States was 1983 . Singer Lou Rawls was the first to score a major hit with the song, as his version peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, No. 60 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and No. 65 on the main Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. \ </P>

Song you are the wind beneath my wings