Today’s classic movie song of the day is “Moon River” from director Blake Edwards’ 1961 movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The song was written by Henry Mancini (music) and Johnny Mercer (words). It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Grammy Awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
In the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, “Moon River” is sung by the central character Holly Golightly, portrayed by Audrey Hepburn, sitting on a fire escape and accompanying herself on acoustic guitar. Ms. Hepburn did her own singing in the movie and she was good, bringing just the right notes of innocence and longing for home conveyed in Mr. Mercer’s lyrics.
There were two hit versions of “Moon River” out at the same time. The first recording of “Moon River” was made by Henry Mancini & Orchestra, with a vocal chorus replacing Ms. Hepburn’s vocals. Released as a single in October of 1961, this version hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #3 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart. Mancini’s original single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
The other hit version of “Moon River” was by R&B singer Jerry Butler. It was recorded slightly later but released simultaneously with Mr. Mancini’s version. Butler’s single hit the same high spots as Mancini’s (#11 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #3 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart) but two weeks before Mancini’s.
The version of “Moon River” I remember most, however, was never released as a single. Crooner Andy Williams released his version of “Moon River” on his 1962 album, Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes. The album sold more than one million copies, one of which was to my parents, who played it a lot in the Miller household. The song became kind of a theme song for Mr. Williams and his recording was inducted into both the Grammy Hall of Fame (one year before Mr. Mancini’s recording) and the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
Whomever performs it, “Moon River” is a masterful piece of songcraft. Mancini’s melody is easy to sing and perfectly fits Mercer’s words. The lyrics were very short and very sweet, but were all they needed to be. Here they are in their entirety:
Moon river, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way
Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end
Waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend
Moon river and me
“My huckleberry friend.” My, that’s good, concise, evocative writing.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, singing “Moon River” in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This may be the best version of all.
