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versions, Joel Whitburn's "Top Adult (Contemporary) Songs" reported the song as a #3 or #1 easy listening hit, due to unpublished charts in Billboard.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.
Moon River
Jerry Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm crossing you in style some day
Dream-maker, you old 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, waiting 'round the bend
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me
In Jerry Butler's "Moon River," the singer describes his journey across the famous "Moon River," a river that is wider than a mile. He is crossing the river in style, indicating that he is going to do it in his own unique way. The river itself is a symbol for life, and the journey represents the various experiences that we have to go through, good or bad. The river is also seen as a gateway to a new beginning or a fresh start in life, which is why the singer is crossing it in style, as he looks towards his future.
The singer then refers to the river as a "dream-maker" and an "old heart-breaker," implying that it shapes and changes our lives and can also bring heartbreak. However, despite the potential risks, the singer is still following the river because he believes that where it leads, he should go there too. He describes himself and his companion as "two drifters" who are off to see the world. There is a sense that they are free-spirited and not bound by society's norms and expectations.
Finally, the singer sings about chasing the same "rainbow's end," which is a metaphor for their shared dream or goal. They are waiting around the bend of the river, anticipating the fulfillment of their dreams. The singer calls his companion a "huckleberry friend," a reference to Mark Twain's novel "Huckleberry Finn," a book about two friends who embark on an adventure together. In the end, the singer and his companion are committed to each other, and they are moving forward towards their common dream.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon river, wider than a mile
The vastness of life is being compared to a river as wide as the moon
I'm crossing you in style some day
I'll achieve something grand in style one day, just like crossing a wide river
Dream-maker, you old heart-breaker
Life, the creator of dreams, also brings heartbreak as it unfolds
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
I'll follow the path that life takes me on, no matter where it leads
Two drifters, off to see the world
Two people, aimless but curious, venturing into the world
There's such a lot of world to see
The world is vast and offers so much to explore
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting 'round the bend
We both seek the same elusive goal, waiting just beyond our view
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me
My closest companion, the river of life, and myself together in this journey
Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kristi Potochnik
The best produced recording by a label w the highest production value ever created along w uUnchained Melody. I’m impressed beyond words. This is the best recording ever done by Jerry Butler ever done. The music is so smooth it drifts through any device like chocolate. Bless the engineers who produced this classic.
Taz882
Jerry Butler's version of "Moon River" is brilliant--the best one of all. It's so great to hear it again. Thanks, Bankman58, for posting it. You bring much happiness to a lot of people who love beautiful music.
wareidav
Oh. Now that is a classy version.
The strings are just devine.
The vocals are a league apart.
Thank you so much for the posting.
Bert C
Yes, classic so soothing.
Tango Bango
This was one of my dad's favorite songs, he had three...Moon River, Stranger on the Shore & Wonderful World. He was a wonderful man, always there for me...always!
rainstorm zee
Jerry Butler's incomparable vocals....the western harmonica and guitar....i't does not get any better than this classic...a million thanks for posting!
Still Standing
the very best rendition of song. Sublime.
royalsoulness
Sorry, but Jerry killed this song. I didn't even know it was a re-make until I read Jerry's musical background. Jerry sounds effortless and puts so much feeling into this song. I especially love when he hits the low note at the end. Simply brilliant.
Esther Valdez
There's nothing like that static sound. This is another song that starts the tears. Thx Mr.Banks.
Bert C
Sho Nuff!!