Ann-Margret started recording for RCA in 1961, but her recording career was not as successful as her concurrent movie career. She had a sexy, throaty singing voice comparable to Eartha Kitt or Nancy Sinatra, and RCA attempted to capitalize on her "Female Elvis" comparison by her recording a version of Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" and other songs stylistically similar to Presley. She scored one minor hit, "I Just Don't Understand" (which entered the Billboard Top 40 in the third week of August 1961 and stayed 6 weeks, peaking at #17.) Her only charting album is The Beauty and the Beard (1964), on which she was accompanied by trumpeter Al Hirt. The contract with RCA ended in 1966.
Years later, she returned to music at the end of Disco era. Her 1980 album, "Ann-Margret" became a success with both singles, "Midnight Message" and "Love Rush" reaching the Top 10 of the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In the early 1980s, the album was followed up with the single, "Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes" and the B-Side "Hold Me/Squeeze Me." Ann Margret has continued to record music sporatically since then.
[edit]Film career
In 1961 she also made her film début for in Pocketful of Miracles, starring Bette Davis, Glenn Ford, and Hope Lange, a remake of the Oscar-winning 1933 film Lady for a Day; both versions were directed by the great Frank Capra. She followed that role with the successful remake of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's musical State Fair in 1962. Her next starring role, as the all-American teenager in Bye Bye Birdie, made her a major star. When she filmed Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley the two began an affair that received considerable attention from the gossip columnists in various media. The reports led to a showdown with a very worried Priscilla Beaulieu, which she recounts in her 1985 book, Elvis and Me, including Ann-Margret's attempt to "cut her off at the pass" with a press announcement that Ann-Margret and Elvis were engaged to be married. Although he ended the affair, Presley remained a friend and continued to send her flowers at the opening of each of her stage appearances until he died. Of all the Hollywood starlets he had worked with or had a relationship with, Ann-Margret was the only one to attend his funeral.
In 1963, Ann-Margret was featured and guest-starred, in animated form, in an episode of Hanna-Barbera's The Flintstones as "Ann-Margrock." Decades later, she recorded the theme song to the live-action film The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas in character as Ann-Margrock. The song she recorded was a modified version of the "Viva Las Vegas" theme.\
In March 1966, Ann-Margret and entertainers Chuck Day and Mickey Jones teamed up for a USO tour to entertain U.S. servicemen in remote parts of Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. She still has great affection for the veterans and refers to them as "my gentlemen". [1] Ann-Margret, Day and Jones reunited for an encore of this tour for veterans and troops at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in November 2005. [2]
In 1971, she starred in Mike Nichols's Carnal Knowledge, marking a change from her sex-kitten musical roles, garnering a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The following year, while performing at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, she fell 22 feet from the stage and suffered injuries that put her out of commission for several months. Throughout the 1970s, Ann-Margret balanced her live performances with a string of critically acclaimed dramatic film performances that played against her glamorous image, including Tommy in 1975, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. In addition, she has been nominated for ten Golden Globe Awards, winning five times including Best Actress for Tommy. She also did a string of successful TV specials, starting with The Ann-Margret Show for NBC in 1968. Now in her mid-60s, she continues to act in movies.
In 1994, she published an autobiography titled Ann Margret: My Story (ISBN 0-399-13891-9). She has been married to actor Roger Smith since 1967. Smith suffers from myasthenia gravis, and Ann-Margret has devoted much of her life to caring for him.
In 2001 Ann-Margret made her first appearance in a stage musical, playing the character of Mona Stangley in a new touring production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
She has also filmed the movie "Mem-o-re", where she stars with Billy Zane and Dennis Hopper.
Moon River
Ann-Margret Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm crossin' you in style someday.
Old dream maker, you heartbreaker,
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 and me.
"Moon River" is a song from the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The opening lyrics, "Moon River, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style someday" are sung by the lead character, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), as she gazes out the window of her New York City apartment at night. The song serves as a metaphor for Holly's restless, wandering spirit and her search for a place to belong.
The lyrics are written in the first person perspective with the singer addressing Moon River, which symbolizes the journey of life. The singer talks about crossing the river in style one day, suggesting a desire to embark on a new adventure or take a different path in life. The reference to an "old dream maker" and "heartbreaker" signifies the difficult and elusive nature of achieving one's dreams, which can also cause heartache and disappointment.
The second verse introduces the concept of two drifters, who are setting off to explore the world, highlighting the vastness and diversity of the world. They are in search of the same "rainbow's end" and waiting for something to turn up, revealing they share a sense of hope and optimism. The phrase "my huckleberry friend" is a reference to Mark Twain's famous novel, Huckleberry Finn, and suggests a close, sincere friend who is reliable and loyal. The last line, "Moon River and me", emphasizes the personal relationship between the singer and the river, implying a level of comfort and familiarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon River, wider than a mile
I am mesmerized by the beauty of the river, and its vastness reminds me how small I am in this world.
I'm crossin' you in style someday
I will cross the river one day, and I will do it with elegance and grace.
Old dream maker, you heartbreaker
The river is like a dream maker, it gives us hope and inspiration, but at times it can also be heart-wrenching and difficult.
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin'your way
No matter where the river takes me, I am willing to follow its path, because I know that it will lead me to new and exciting places.
Two drifters, off to see the world
I am a wanderer at heart, and I have met someone who shares my love of adventure. Together, we are setting off to explore the world.
There's such a lot of world to see
The world is vast and full of wonder, and we are excited to discover all of its hidden treasures.
We're after the same rainbow's end
We have a shared goal and a shared vision for our journey, and that is to find the end of the rainbow.
Waitin' round the bend
We know that there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, but we are eager to face them head-on and see what waits for us around the next bend in the river.
My huckleberry friend
I have found a close companion on this journey, someone who is always by my side and who shares my enthusiasm for exploration.
Moon River and me
The river is a source of inspiration and adventure for me, and I am grateful to have it as a constant companion on my travels through life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Ryan
There's no one like Ann. She's always been in a class of her own.
Whitelight
A nice rendition... I will never tire, of hearing this song.
John Steelman
Wow, Ann is a very good singer. I didn't know she could sing so good.
james ewanchook
i just love her, she was a pro in all the main genres!
THE RATTYFIRE
God I love this woman. Such under estimated talent.
sierragreen
Dreamy lady with a dreamy voice. Sad that this rendition isn't better known.
Rosalyn Meyers
Timeless Beauty!
2fast2block
No kidding! The genes came together rather well for her. Of course, she built her talents, she just wasn't a good-looker.
Gala Mixon
Wish to see more of her in movies.
Diana S
A very beautiful,classy ,talented in every way lady.Her time with Elvis meant so much to her,adored him and endless interviews always shows respect to his name,they made a lovely couple…