He was also musical director for a large number of musicals and other plays, including ones by Noel Coward. After the war, he concentrated on recording, and eventually gave up live performance altogether. He worked with arranger and composer Ronnie Binge, who developed the "cascading strings" sound (also known as the "Mantovani sound").[citation needed] His records were regulars in stores selling hi-fi stereo equipment, as they were produced and arranged for stereo reproduction. In 1952 Binge ceased to arrange for Mantovani, but his distinctive sound remained.
He recorded for Decca until the mid-1950s, and then London Records. He recorded over 50 albums on that label, many of which were top-40 hits. These included Song from Moulin Rouge and Cara Mia, which reached No. 1 in Britain in 1953 and 1954, respectively. The latter was also Mantovani's first U.S. Top Ten hit.
In the United States, between 1955 and 1972, he released over 40 albums with 27 reaching the Top 40 and 11 the Top Ten. His biggest success was with the album Film Encores, which made it to No. 1 in 1957. Similarly, Mantovani Plays Music From 'Exodus' and Other Great Themes made it to No. 2 in 1961 and sold over one million albums.
In 1959, Mantovani starred in his own syndicated television series, Mantovani, which was produced in England and which aired in the United States. 39 episodes were filmed.[1]
Mantovani made his last recordings in 1975.[citation needed]
[edit] Music style and influences
The cascading strings technique developed by Binge became Mantovani's hallmark in such hits arranged by Binge as "Charmaine". Binge developed this technique to replicate the echo experienced in venues such as cathedrals by arrangement alone, in an echo-free surrounding.
Author Joseph Lanza describes Mantovani's string arrangements as the most "rich and mellifluous" of the emerging light music style during the early 1950s. He stated that Mantovani was a leader in the use of new studio technologies to "create sound tapestries with innumerable strings", and that "the sustained hum of Mantovani's reverberated violins produced a sonic vaporizer foreshadowing the synthesizer harmonics of space music."[2]
In 1958 Mantovani and his family bought a holiday home in Bournemouth in Durley Chine Road, then in 1961 acquired a new property in Burton Road (now part of Poole). He moved, finally, to a new home in Martello Road in Poole.
Since his death at a care home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1980, his music has enjoyed a minor revival,[citation needed] with much of his catalogue reappearing on CD and an orchestra bearing his name performing concert tours. The saleability of the Mantovani name is underscored by new recordings being made as the Mantovani Orchestra. Unfortunately[neutrality is disputed], a large number of CDs are also available of unauthorized recordings, billed as Mantovani or Mantovani Orchestra.[citation needed] There have also been CDs released under the Mantovani name of recordings made by others while Mantovani was still alive.[citation needed] Thus, consumers of this music are advised to familiarize themselves with the conductor's discography. Material with the London Records logo on it is apt to be genuine Mantovani, while other recordings are less likely to be actual Mantovani recordings.[citation needed]
The continued popularity of Mantovani's music is evident by the number of original albums which are being released, on labels such as Dutton-Vocalion, and by the many compilations available throughout the world. In 2008, as a result of successful, ongoing CD sales, amongst other contributing factors, the Mantovani Orchestra (performing from the original scores) was recreated for a tremendously successful historical tribute concert, sponsored by Bentley Motors, held at the Lighthouse, in Poole, England, on 27 January, conducted by Sam Newgarth, MBE. Much critical acclaim has led to the planning of a second concert, to take place in January 2009, at the same venue. There are four Mantovani websites in honour of the maestro, a written biography by Colin MacKenzie entitled Mantovani - A Lifetime In Music (ISBN 1-905226-19-5). For further information, please visit http://www.hallowquest.com/mantiindex.htm; http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/torumonty; http://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk (re. ticket sales for 31 January 2009). A ten CD set 'The Wonderful World of Mantovani' was released in November 2008 in Japan (a link to the website in Japan may be found by visiting www.hallowquest.com/mantiindex.htm), featuring many rare tracks which have never been released on CD before, in a superbly remastered format, and, following the success of the Mantovani Orchestra's 2008 concert, 'More MANTOVANI Magic' took place at Lighthouse in Poole, England, on 31 January 2009, again conducted by maestro Sam Newgarth MBE. The concert was sponsored by Poole Audi, and also with the generous support of Richard Cox.
Joy to the World
Mantovani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him a-drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Singing
Joy to the world
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
If I were the king of the world
Tell you what I'd do
I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war
Make sweet love to you
Sing it now
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
You know I love the ladies
Love to have my fun
I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
A straight shooting son-of-a-gun (oh yeah)
I said a straight shooting son-of-a-gun
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the world
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
I wanna tell you
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
The lyrics to Mantovani’s song “Joy to the World” convey a message of celebration and happiness. The singer begins by introducing Jeremiah, a bullfrog who was a good friend of his. The singer admits that he never fully understood what Jeremiah was saying, but he did help him drink his wine, which was always mighty fine. The lyrics then turn to an exuberant chorus, where the singer wishes joy to the world, to all the boys and girls, and to the fishes in the deep blue sea.
The next verse finds the singer imagining himself as the king of the world. If he were, he declares that he would throw away the negative and harmful things like cars, bars, and war, and instead make sweet love to the listener. The chorus then repeats before the song concludes with the singer stating that he loves the ladies, loves to have his fun, and is a “high life flyer” and “rainbow rider” who is “a straight shooting son-of-a-gun.”
Overall, the lyrics of “Joy to the World” appear to be about living life to the fullest and spreading happiness wherever one goes. While some of the lines may seem nonsensical or silly, given the lighthearted and optimistic tone of the song, they fit in well with the overall message of joy and positivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeremiah was a bullfrog
A friend of mine who I could never understand.
Was a good friend of mine
Despite our communication barriers, we enjoyed each other's company.
I never understood a single word he said
Jeremiah spoke in a way that was unfamiliar to me.
But I helped him a-drink his wine
Although I couldn't understand him, we shared a love for wine.
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Jeremiah was always in possession of a high-quality wine.
Joy to the world
Happiness to every person around the globe.
All the boys and girls now
This happiness is meant for everyone, including the youth.
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Even the underwater creatures can experience this joy and happiness.
Joy to you and me
We should all celebrate this joy and happiness together.
If I were the king of the world
If I had absolute power over the world.
Tell you what I'd do
I will reveal my plans of action.
I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war
I would get rid of the sources of chaos and conflict in the world.
Make sweet love to you
I would replace violence and conflict with love and harmony.
You know I love the ladies
I have a preference for women.
Love to have my fun
I enjoy myself to the fullest.
I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
I am a person who enjoys living a luxurious lifestyle and takes pride in their individuality.
A straight shooting son-of-a-gun (oh yeah)
I am an honest person who speaks their mind and doesn't mince words.
All the boys and girls
Everyone, regardless of gender, should experience this joy.
Joy to the world
This happiness should be spread all over the world.
I wanna tell you
I want to express something important.
Writer(s): Handel G F, Milner Edward Cecil
Contributed by Annabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.