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versions, Joel Whitburn's "Top Adult (Contemporary) Songs" reported the song as a #3 or #1 easy listening hit, due to unpublished charts in Billboard.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
Lena Horne 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.
The opening lyrics to Lena Horne's rendition of Moon River invite the listener to visualize the vastness of the river and the dreams they hold, representing freedom and the future. Horne's voice carries a sense of longing and determination as she declares her intention to cross the river in style someday. She addresses the river as an old dream maker and a heartbreaker, possibly hinting at the risks and rewards that come with following a dream.
The lyrics then introduce the idea of two drifters who are off to see the world. This line conjures images of adventure and the desire for new experiences, perhaps highlighting the restlessness and uncertainty of youth. The duo is on a quest to find the same rainbow's end, suggesting the shared hope or goal that ties them together. The last line reveals that the singer has a huckleberry friend, which could showcase loyalty, affection, or humor.
Overall, the lyrics of Moon River capture the essence of chasing a dream and the desire to experience life to the fullest. Horne delivers the message with a sense of elegance, yearning, and resilience, adding an emotional depth to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon River, wider than a mile
The river of life, full of richness and opportunities, is wide beyond measure.
I'm crossin' you in style someday
I'll conquer the challenges and obstacles of life with grace and elegance.
Old dream maker, you heartbreaker
Life is full of aspirations and possibilities, but it can also be tough and heartbreaking.
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
I'll follow my dreams and passions, no matter where they take me, with dedication and perseverance.
Two drifters, off to see the world
Two free-spirited individuals, with nothing to hold them back, are embarking on an adventure to experience all the world has to offer.
There's such a lot of world to see
The world is vast and full of wonder, with endless places to explore and things to discover.
We're after the same rainbow's end
We share a common goal, of reaching the end of the rainbow, symbolizing the fulfillment of our deepest desires.
Waitin' round the bend
Opportunities and wonders are just around the corner, waiting to be discovered.
My huckleberry friend
My true and loyal companion, who shares my journey and adventures.
Moon River and me
Together, we'll explore the world and all its possibilities, accompanied by the beautiful melody of Moon River.
Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrListener43 G
What makes this song so open to individual interpretation ( in my opinion ) is that each individual who anticipates the journey through life that is written about in this song may have different expectations about the outcome of the journey as well as the journey itself. These expectations could be based on optimism, uncertainty or perhaps a longing for something that the individual has not yet experienced in their life.
Ken Taylor
at this time lena was separating from lennie hayton. she loved him very much but she was coming into her own as a black person and felt it was necessary to leave lennie, who was white to strengthen her own blackness and that seems reflected in this rendition
mdooms76
Beautiful song and performance. Lena was pure class!!!
Fonseca429
A great singer.
brian pinette
I met her twice in NYC after her one woman show. She is a CLASS ACT all the way. She truly emotes and feels what she sings. Thanks ever so much for posting
HandwhistlerBen
Unbelievable way of putting the words across with that one of a kind voice. Her facial expressions and gorgeous eyes make me want to only totally focus on her. She was still recording at 80 and did a Gap commercials. Such a genuine real person who we could all relate to. We will miss you Lena!
faviv
I still remember watching "Stormy Weather" in the 80s on VHS and realizing how much talent and beauty this woman had. Farewell Ms Horne.
Robert M Boughton
I had the rare privilege of seeing Lena Horne in concert at the Pauley Pavillion in Westwood, CA when I was a teenager and have never forgotten the experience. She was a beautiful woman with a stunning, light tremolo in her voice that made me shiver. I will never forget the experience.
Phillip Wilcher
She was a class act as was Mancini who wrote this song. We've lost so many memorable people who have shaped this world for the better. God bless her. May she remain safe in God's loving care.
Rochelle Howlett
She was the epitome of class, elegance and just going out there and singing without cannons, fireworks, tidal waves of water: just sing the damn song, total containment! She's singing to the Angels!👑🦚💜💝💖💞🎀🎼🎤🎵🎹🎼🎶