It became the theme song for Andy Williams, who first recorded the song in 1961 and performed it at the Academy Awards ceremonies in 1962. He sang the first eight bars of the song at the beginning of his television show; he also named his production company and venue in Branson, Missouri after Moon River. Williams' version was vetoed by Cadence president Archie Bleyer, who believed it had little or no appeal to teenagers. Williams' famous version never charted, except as an LP track, which he recorded for Columbia in a hit album of 1962.
The success of the song was responsible for relaunching Mercer's career as a songwriter, which had stalled in the mid-1950s because rock and roll replaced jazz standards as the popular music of the time. An inlet near Savannah, Georgia, Johnny Mercer's hometown, was named Moon River in honor of him and this song. The popularity of the song is such that it has been used as a test sample in a study on people's memories of popular songs.
The original version
Mercer and Mancini wrote the song for Audrey Hepburn to fit her vocal range. Initially the lyrics started, "I'm Holly, like I want to be / like Holly on a tree back home...", however they were later changed to fit the theme to the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Although an instrumental version is played over the film's opening titles, the lyrics are first heard in a scene where Paul 'Fred' Varjak (George Peppard) discovers Holly Golightly (Hepburn) singing them, accompanied by her guitar, on the fire-escape outside their apartments.
There was much behind-the-scenes consternation which erupted when a Paramount Pictures executive suggested deleting the song from the film immediately after a very successful San Francisco preview. Hepburn's reaction has been described by Mancini and others in degrees varying from her saying "over my dead body" to her using somewhat more colorful language to make the same point.
Hepburn's version was not included in the original score album to Breakfast at Tiffany's. Instead, an album version recorded by Mancini and his chorus was released as a single and became a #11 hit. In different versions, Joel Whitburn's "Top Adult (Contemporary) Songs" reported the song as a #3 or #1 easy listening hit, due to unpublished charts in Billboard. Only months after Hepburn's death in 1993, her version was released on an album entitled Music from the Films of Audrey Hepburn.
Other recordings
"Moon River" was released by South African singer Danny Williams, and reached #1 in the UK. Shortly thereafter, Andy Williams recorded the song and made it his theme song. It was a hit for Jerry Butler in 1961, reaching #11 in the Billboard charts. Other artists that have covered the song are The Afghan Whigs, Benny Anderssons Orkester, Paul Anka, Blake, Louis Armstrong, Vince Guaraldi, Beru Revue, Mary Black, Sarah Brightman, Liz Callaway, Perry Como, Ray Conniff, Bobby Darin, Ania Dąbrowska, Dr. John, Dump, Billy Eckstine, The Four Freshmen, Connie Francis, Bill Frisell (instrumental), Emi Fujita, Judy Garland, Karel Gott, Grant Green (instrumental), Patty Griffin, The Innocence Mission (although this version is sometimes incorrectly cited as being performed by Milla Jovovich), Bradley Joseph (instrumental), Kim Yoo-jin, James Last, Joey McIntyre, Johnny Mathis, Brad Mehldau, Jane Monheit, Morrissey, Patsy Ann Noble, Jim Reeves, John Barrowman, R.E.M., Mia Riddle, Andrea Ross, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughan, Nan Vernon, Kid Koala, Westlife, Victoria Williams, The Divine Comedy, and Tata Young.
Mercer himself recorded the song in 1974 for his album (appropriately named) My Huckleberry Friend.
Moonriver
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
(Moon river, wider than a mile)
(I'm crossin' 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 that same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me
(Moon river)
(Moon river, ooh)
"Moon River" is a timeless classic that has become synonymous with crooner Andy Williams, who had a major hit with the song in 1961. The lyrics describe the journey of two wandering souls, who are on a quest to explore the world and find the elusive end of a rainbow. The river in question is wider than a mile and represents the vastness of life and the many opportunities that lay ahead. The dream maker and heart breaker is a reference to fate, which can either break or make one's dreams come true.
The two drifters are companions on this journey, sharing a friendship that is as sweet and natural as huckleberry pie. They are determined to reach the end of their rainbow, which signifies the fulfillment of their deepest desires. The melody of "Moon River" is hauntingly beautiful, with a slow, dreamy tempo that perfectly matches the wistful nature of the lyrics. The song leaves the listener with a sense of hope and optimism, that two wandering souls will find happiness and fulfillment on their journey together.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon river, wider than a mile
The river symbolizing life's journey is vast and boundless
I'm crossing you in style some day
I am determined to face life's challenges with elegance and grace
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Addressing fate as a great creator but also a destroyer of hopes and desires
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
I am surrendering to fate, ready to face whatever it has in store for me
Two drifters, off to see the world
Two travelers embarking on an adventurous journey with no particular destination in mind
There's such a lot of world to see
The world is vast and full of wonders waiting to be explored
We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
Both travelers are searching for the same elusive and magical prize that lies just around the corner
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me
The artist is accompanied by their dearest friend and the eternal river, which both represent companionship and comfort on the journey of life
(Moon river)
The repetition of the river's name emphasizes its significance as a guiding force and a source of inspiration
(Moon river, ooh)
The emotional expression of the river's power and beauty, and its everlasting impact on the artist's soul
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jimschuman9926
When I would visit my Mom’s Alzheimer’s care center, I would play this song for her. Her face would light up and her eyes would twinkle, like she was reliving days of her past. ( she could no longer communicate through speech). I would sit there and thank her for being such a great Mom and reflect on the past.
My Mom passed away in January of 2022.
Now when I listen to this song it reminds me of the special time I spent with my Mom, and comforts me knowing that her spirit is always with me.
I love and miss you Mom ❤.
I know one day we will be together again.
@aresenalboy
I can't listen to this without crying miss my dad so much
@amiranehemia5753
האחד והיחיד.
@anniegaffney8378
My Mom, at 94 and a half, died on Easter after your Mom passed in 2022. Fortunately, she was sharp til the end. That might have made it even harder though. I'll never know. I am here choosing songs for a photo display of her life. The Memorial won't be until next Month June 2023. It took forever to get her paperwork from the Military for her Honors Burial. She was a Marine like my father and deserved the same. I would not back down or just let it go. This song will be very memorable ♥️
@neilmunns8206
Omg...that could be my story...i lost my mum 11 years ago, i can hear her singing this.....x
@jessemares4001
😢 I'm sorry for your loss, they say time alleviates the pain. It hasn't done so for me. I miss my mother everyday 😢 God bless and fortitude.
@janicegandt4550
When I had my son, Moon River was the only song that I knew all of the words to. It became my son's lullaby. Now, 45 years later, whenever he hears it he sends me a text that he's thinking of me.
@kiaramcghee5501
Awwwwwww I'm crying 😢 ❤❤❤❤
@lsheppard8996
My mother did the same with patsy cline
@Chronos867
♥