Walter Huston - September Song (1938)

[ant5399]

Same here never would have heard of this unless of the kennedys lost home movies, thanks JFK and god bless your soul.GREAT SONG

[odysseetheater]

what a great version of walter houston !!! great ... these artists deserves the attribut "artist" .. in comparision of the ones of today..... they are made of pr and NO artists anymore .. as to my opinion ....

[bjhcohen]

The most meaningful song for me - I first heard Walter Huston sing it when I was on a blind date (weekend) at Yale, at the end of a play - I;'ve forgotten its name - the song became our mantra - we married 3 years later.

[dougbrooklyn]

This is a gem! thanks for posting.

[Elfweir]

My Father's favorite version of this song. Most people I know told me that Walter Huston was not a singer and I must have been mistaken.  At last, I found this version, thank you for posting!

[CaptRhett1]

When "I" was a young man, I courted the girls, and now that I'm 76, hahaha, I'm still courting them... Viva la Femmes !

[CaptRhett1]

All of these renditions are wonderful, perhaps because it's one of my favorite songs, my birthday happens to be in September - so the song was special to me, even as a child, but I never really heard it until I heard it done by Eddie Albert (remember him, from "Green Acres"?) , Albert's rendition changed the way I appreciate music; I don't just listen - I want to know the story behind the song, and now I apply this to every song I hear... no story - no music.

[GolonkaW512]

I also heard of this song on The Lost Kennedy Home Movies. What a great tune! They sure don't make them like they use too!

[ryanthethird]

I just saw on a documentary (the Kennedy home movies) that Jack Kennedy sang this to his friends as they sailed for the last time on his yacht, the "Honey Fitz". He would be killed a month later. I'm 30 years old, and would never have heard of this song otherwise. God. So good, so damn good and so damn sad. Ahh, but life is a strange, beautiful thing.

[edmame]

Dodsworth '36 was crowning achievement for Walter. The character was quite similar to what's required of September Song:)

[Jamesmac30]

I've heard Walter Huston sing this song many times, but I've never heard this version with these lyrics before.

[19111ellyc]

@Jamesmac30 I could swear I heard him sing it in a movie called 'September Affair' with Joseph Cotten & Joan Fontaine

[wellhill99]

my mam used to sing this to me when i was a wee boy, it broke my heart wnen i heard this.

[valmblackwood]

This was made the year I was born, the year before the Holocaust and the horror of WWII was unleashed upon us. So poignant to hear it again in its original version. Thanks for posting.

[akarpowicz]

I have an old 45 record of this song and on the FLIP side Houston sings "Lost in The Stars" Highly recommended. 

[bigkitten]

Just watched him in 'Ten Little Niggers' the other day. Great actor. He was best in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, in my opinion, though. Mind you; they were all good in that movie. The final bit with Bogie and the bandits, was truly chilling.

[Pargoneful]

Bring back good old  times. Few men can really sing without a grog.

[willybartlett]

I'm sorry my dear friend, i missed a word when i was typing you, i mean to say that was the most beautiful music i have heard in a long time, and i don't really listen to music much but i happened to catch that, wonderful and thank you, sincerely wendy

[willybartlett]

beautiful thank you for sharing with me! Love you for it! Thanks Again. pss. i think that was the most music i have heard in a very long time, thank you for it~ ((lovliest) lovelyist.."he.he"...

[willybartlett]

beautiful thank you for sharing with me! Love you for it! Thanks Again.

[HeavyMob]

This is not as pathetic as it sounds- he is a Governor trying to seduce another man's girlfriend - still gr8 tho.

[Rai06f]

Many thanks for "September Song"! I love it!

With sincere respect, Raisa.

[prehistory42]

This song is quite beautiful with the wonderful lyrics offering a philosophical and allegorical meaning to growing older. Sheer magic.

[lettermen1]

@prehistory42 Thanks for sending my way, Roger. It's a great and evocative song.

[rogerstill71]

This was my parent's "song". Whenever it played, they'd get all mushy & kiss. 

[armandocatunda]

Boa noite!

[CanadaPisces]

A very moving rendition of an old favourite! Thank you!

[robloxpwnmaster3]

holy crap this song was made before my grandma was born

[borowski70]

My mother's all-time favorite song, and her favorite version.  She was just a little girl at the time. Mom passed away last month. We played this at her vigil service. Mom, we'll miss you so. Thank you so much for posting this.

[iaminthburg]

I've read for years about Mr. Huston and the Broadway production and how it was such an incredible success. Thank you for this post. I'm loving it...he was awesome . The Great Dodsworth...and what a legacy he's left in his family. Wow.

[bunterscuttle]

Walter was in California, an actor.. KV and MA sung this song to him down the lines from New York.. The rest..

[khurit]

peace awaits us

[WSenator1]

Walter Huston had quite a time when he recorded this song. A few years later, he'd be helping his son John out with a cameo appearance (as Captain Jacoby) in "The Matese Falcon" then dancing with James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Love this song ver6 much, and bless WH's heart, but I've heard better renditions (Durante, Sinatra).

[hajune]

You do not need a great voice to make a great recording. Walter Huston proves it. Many better voices have recorded this , yet in my mind and many other his version remains unsurpassed. He was a great actor and the actor came out in him singing this classic.

[chkjns]

@hajune Yoiu really know how to appreciate things. I was thinking along similar lines. Added this to my 1938 playlist. I've tried to build a channel that's a catalog of a century of the best music on earth. 400 artists are playlisted & every year since 1900. It's a musical trip back in time, hope you stop by! chuck

[ROYALWAND]

gentle, kind, and wise

[GeminiNightOwl]

I LOVE Walter Huston - phenomenal actor, remarkable stage and screen presence, just something about him....Thanks so much for posting this beautiful song sung by an incredible man who we were fortunate to have memories of on screen...

[TIGERTABCAT]

I'm 67 now. I remember this song from when was 6. It played on the radio...the Light Programme in the late 40's and early 50's. I remember that at 6 it was such a long time from May to December. .........and I didn't have the time.............

[CabrelFan]

TYVM

[sammipink]

i remember my mum singing this to me when i became frightened of the bombs coming overhead during 1939 - 1945 war used to calm me down

[Hudson2816]

This was a favourite of my parents, who were dating in 1938. I remember them playing the record when I was a child. President Kennedy also loved the song, according to the memoirs of his friend Paul Fay.

[JubalCalif]

THANKS for posting this delightful "blast from the past"! Walter Huston was one of the finest actors of his time, be it stage, radio or movies. I can't sing his praises enough. He certainly did make this song his own when he sang it in the original Broadway production of "Knickerbocker Holiday". You've made my day & my weekend! I hope you have a VERY happy holiday season! :)

[tmmvds]

Thank you for your kind words, I also wish you a happy Christmas time :)

[lemkowitz1]

@JubalCalif

perfection !!!!!!

[JubalCalif]

@lemkowitz1

I certainly second that emotion! Since you're fan of this version, you're OBVIOUSLY a person of rare taste & refinement. CHEERS! :-)

[stevevandien]

I've heard many fine singers perform this piece. Yet Huston's "September Song" remains the most moving. Though not truly a singer, this fine actor nailed the essence of the song. Huston's version is the only one that always brings tears to my eyes:) --

[TheTweeter53]

@stevevandien I totally agree with you. This song gets more moving as we grow older. It makes us all realize how short life is and how precious time is. Huston's version is hauntingly beautiful because he is an old man when he sings this. He knows he hasn't much time left. If a young person sang this song, it wouldn't have nearly the impact.

[stevevandien]

@TheTweeter53 Bless you for your message:). I first heard "September Song" (don't remember who sang it -- maybe Sinatra?) when I was 18. It means so much more to me now at 51. And Huston must have heard "time's winged chariot hurrying near" when he made this beautiful record, although he lived another 12 years ---

[GeminiNightOwl]

@stevevandien Walter Huston wasn't old when he sang this LOL - he was 56, and although he was no "spring chicken", 56 isn't old! I think it was his superior talent, his emotion and delivery of the song that had the tremendous impact. I'm 46 and your comment makes me feel old!

[stevevandien]

@GeminiNightOwl I agree with you now, especially since I'll be 52 in November:). But back in the 1930s, 56 was kinda getting up there -- NOT so nowadays, of course; and so sorry that my comment made you feel old!

[GeminiNightOwl]

@stevevandien LOL no problem Steve, I'm not offended - I understand your analogy and you are correct with the ratio of life expectancy back then. Happy New Year to you!!

[rhomp2002]

I agree that this is the best. Second I put Jimmy Durante. The two of them just seemed to capture the meaning of the song better than anyone else did. I have been looking for this again for years. I used to have it on record when I had a turntable but have not found it on any CD or DVD since. Absolutely the best. There may be others with better voices but they miss the meaning.

[MaryMonks]

It is actually available on DVD -- I bought a year or so back. The DVD (one of my favourites, especially this track) is called Kurt Weill Berlin to Broadway. Amazon has it.

[rhomp2002]

Thank you.  Just ordered it right now. Much appreciated.

[MaryMonks]

My pleasure!

[19111ellyc]

rhomp2002, thank you for clarifying that Jimmy Durante sang this as well. For some reason I remember his wording better than Walter's, even though it was from the movie 'September Affair' with Joan Fontayne & Joseph Cotten. I recall Walter singing it in that movie but with the wording Jimmy used. Beautiful song.

[stevevandien]

@rhomp2002 Oh, Durante's version is lovely and moving as well.  Thanks for mentioning it:).

[NonInflatable]

I've just checked other versions of this song, from Sinatra to Jimmy Durante and this is certainly the best by far.

I can't quite work out why.....

[TheHachmom]

I have a record album called showstoppers which features this song...I dont know if you can find it on cd or not...among other treasures it includes Ray Bolger doing Once in Love with Amy and Mary Martin doing My Heart belongs to Daddy....The version of this song is not exactly the same wording tho...if anyone is looking for a differant Walter Hston recording

[FenianandLimey]

Beautiful. Part of the great Huston dynasty. He'll always be Jerry Cohan to me.

[dwrenched]

such a poignant song and a lovely rendition by Walter Huston.

[technothanks]

I've just heard this version of September Song for the first time. Powerful, as expected. I've searched all over L.A. and San Francisco for many years, no luck. All the earmarks of THE classic rendition, undiminished by time. Thanks TMMVDS!...Thanks Walter, you were a great artist...!

And Hey, Borowski70, how lucky, depression or not, to be a young child hearing this song and being aware enough to truly appreciate it. Your Mother was an astute, lucky child!

[QMSman]

I have listened to this track since I was a child, I am 68 and have always found it just a little hypnotic. Don't remove it from Youtube I just love to listen to it once in a while.

D

[mabelstephen]

At 60 this means much more...can't sing but Walter's the next best thing..he sings it all for me..Loved him since a kid in 50's when seeing Yankee Doodle Dandy on Million Dollar Movie..wished he was my Dad..wonder if he was as kindly in real life..is there a biography? A great actor

[Fibbing01]

Very many thanks for posting this. However it never plays properly on my machine. I wonder why not?

[tmmvds]

I really don't know why. I just checked that video myself, and at least in my computer it plays perfectly well.

[DoctorSiss]

I had a September shit.

[CanadaPisces]

@Fibbing01

It plays properly when played using Real Player Plus.

Hope this help you. All the best.

[BackOnTheRoad]

Where did this version come from? It's somewhat different than my 78 rpm record.

[tmmvds]

It's taken from a CD called The Broadway Musical 1918-1946. I really cannot say what version this song is, but I'm sure it's recorded in 1938.

[borowski70]

My mother is 81 and in poor health, but this song, and this particular version, is her most favorite song in all the world. God bless you, Mr. Huston! You brought a lot of joy to a lonely young girl living through the Depression.

[GeminiNightOwl]

my last name is Borowski (how ironic) I do hope your mother is feeling better and glad that this song brings her happy memories. All the best to you...

[Orlee2000]

This is the favorite song of my wife's and I.

I first heard in in Seattle in 1952 and it has always stayed with me.

[tmmvds]

I cannot remember whether it was first time I heard this version in Woody Allen's "Radio Days" but it always comes to mind when I listen to this.