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versions, Joel Whitburn's "Top Adult (Contemporary) Songs" reported the song as a #3 or #1 easy listening hit, due to unpublished charts in Billboard.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
Sarah Vaughan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm crossin' you in style someday
Old 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
Waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me
The song "Moon River" by Sarah Vaughan is a classic ballad that speaks about the journey of life and the different paths it takes. The first line of the song, "Moon River, wider than a mile," refers to the Mississippi River, which is often called "The Moon River" because of its silvery appearance. The river serves as a metaphor for life, and the fact that it is wider than a mile suggests that life's journey is vast and treacherous.
The second line of the song, "I'm crossin' you in style someday," reveals the singer's determination to navigate the challenges of life with style and grace, as she endeavors to cross this river in style someday. The third line of the song, "Old dream maker, you heart-breaker," suggests that life is full of dreams and aspirations, but sometimes these dreams can be shattered, and our hearts can be broken.
The chorus of the song speaks about two drifters who are off to see the world. The two lead characters in the song are after the same rainbow's end, waiting 'round the bend. The rainbow symbolizes hope, and the fact that they are both after the same rainbow's end suggests that they share a common goal. They are both huckleberry friends, which means they are the best of friends, like two peas in a pod, as they journey through life together.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon River, wider than a mile
Moon River is an enormous and expansive body of water that stretches beyond visual horizons
I'm crossin' you in style someday
In the future, I will travel across the vast expanse of Moon River in grand fashion and elegance
Old dream maker, you heart-breaker
Moon River, while beautiful and dream-like, can also be harsh and unforgiving, causing heartache and sadness
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
I am willing to follow the path that Moon River takes, no matter where it leads
Two drifters off to see the world
We are two aimless wanderers, looking to explore and discover new places and experiences
There's such a lot of world to see
The world is vast and full of infinite possibilities and opportunities for exploration and discovery
We're after the same rainbow's end
We share a common goal in our journey, the elusive and magical end of the rainbow
Waitin' 'round the bend
We know that our destination lies just beyond the next turn or bend in the river
My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me
As we journey together, Moon River becomes a trusted and beloved companion, like a dear friend
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TruthSerum101
Gorgeous singing. I love the "I'm Going Your Way" motif.
@fredalwatkins4506
Very gorgeous
@PericlesEmmanuel
Nobody, in this planet can sing like the GREAT Mrs. Sarah Vaughan💗 as the Great Mr. Billy Eckstine said in her documentary when he heard Mrs. Vaughan for the first time, she was at the Apolo theater in an amateur contest. Mrs. Vaughan was singing Body and Soul Eckstine said oh! My God !!What a beautiful, marvelous voice!! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS??? 💝
@DrewWasMe
Sarah looks so beautiful here and her voice is perfection.
@collegeri
Talent like that is not even normal. Total perfection.
@iamnamelesskid
i never thought i would love old jazz, but here i am, i love this <3
@AABB-cn4yk
Sarah looked stunning with this hairstyle. So much sass and class🎶🎶
@jimmybalantyne5545
Vocally, physically and spiritually... stunning. La Davina!
@mncedisimpungose7303
Just so stunning and beautifully done. The Devine One
@davidhazard5594
Still looking for Look To The Sun Documentary and the last concert in Japan... you would think they would issue those things by now, she was such an amazing artist