The Four Freshmen began as a American vocal group popular from the 1950s th… Read Full Bio ↴The Four Freshmen began as a American vocal group popular from the 1950s through to the early 1960s. Founded by brothers Ross and Don Barbour in 1948 as freshmen at Butler University, the other two original members included their cousin Bob Flanigan and Hal Kratzsch. Well-known for their multi-part harmonies, they are notable as early purveyors of vocalese and as the forerunners of vocal-harmony based rock music, particularly that of The Beach Boys. In their current configuration, The Four Freshmen continue to perform.

The group took off after being signed to Capitol Records in 1952 at the insistence of high profile fan, Stan Kenton. They remained popular throughout the 50s and early 60s, releasing a wide array of successful albums, movie and television appearances and performing countless sold-out concerts. The band eventually lost mainstream attention with the emergence of the British pop bands of the 1960s, even though they managed to stay together even after the retirement of final original member Bob Flanigan in 1992.

As of 2001, the Freshmen have been composed of Bob Ferreira, Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, and Vince Johnson. Although the new lineup of the Four Freshmen have continued the legendary vocal tradition of the original band and perform many of the same standards, the current sound has more of a lounge sound rather than focusing primarily upon harmonies. This modernized sound has proven quite successful, as the group won Down Beat magazine's reader's poll award for Vocal Group of the Year in 2000, proving the quartet's prominence in the jazz world today.

Moon River
The Four Freshmen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Moon River, wider than a mile:
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,

My huckleberry friend,

Moon River and me.

Overall Meaning

The Four Freshmen's song "Moon River" is a classic composition that has been sung by numerous artists over the years. The song opens up with the line "Moon River, wider than a mile" which refers to the river that flows through the city of Savannah in Georgia. The singer is crossing the river in style someday, which shows a sense of adventure, freedom, and hope.

The verse "Old dream maker, you heartbreaker" is an interesting contradiction since it shows the good and the bad side of dreams. Dreams are beautiful and can lead to happy and fulfilled lives, but they can also break our heart because they are not always easy to achieve. The singer knows that the journey may not be easy, but they are willing to take the risk by saying "Wherever you're goin', I'm goin'your way."

The song is about two drifters who are off to see the world, and there is so much to explore. They are on a journey to reach the same rainbow's end that they both want, and they are waiting to see what the future holds for them. The use of the term "Huckleberry friend" shows that the two friends are carefree, wild and free. The song's overall message is about hope, love, and freedom, and the singer is saying they are ready to explore the world with their friend by their side.

Line by Line Meaning

Moon River, wider than a mile
The river symbolizes the vastness and beauty of life that is waiting to be explored.

I'm crossin' you in style someday
One day, I will overcome my fears and cross the river of life with confidence and grace.

Old dream maker, you heartbreaker
Life is both a dream maker and a heartbreaker, because it can bring us great joy and sorrow in equal measure.

Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
No matter where life takes me, I will follow my path with conviction and walk alongside those who share my values and goals.

Two drifters, off to see the world
We are all wanderers on this earth, seeking our purpose and place in the grand scheme of things.

There's such a lot of world to see
Life is full of wonder and mystery, and there are endless opportunities to learn, grow, and explore.

We're after the same rainbow's end
We are all chasing our own dreams and aspirations, hoping to find happiness and fulfillment at the end of the journey.

Waitin' round the bend,
The future is uncertain and unknown, but we must keep moving forward with hope and optimism, knowing that good things are waiting for us.

My huckleberry friend,
A huckleberry friend represents a loyal and dependable companion who is always there for you, through thick and thin.

Moon River and me.
In the end, it is our own journey and experiences that shape our lives, and we must embrace every moment with gratitude and joy.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

LynneMarieS

6y↑1

This is an amazing version!

Angharad

8y↑1

This was my father & daughter dance at my wedding. The Four Freshmen and the Five Trombones are one of my dad's all-time favorite bands. He came down to visit me (I live in my parent's basement since my husband died), and when I played this for him, he actually started to cry. So did I. The power of great music is eternal, as is the power of fond memories.