Dionne Warwick (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls 1968 Million Seller

"Theme From 'Valley of the Dolls'" was recorded for the film of the same name. The song was written by Andre Previn and Dory Previn, and had initially been intended for Judy Garland before she was fired from the film. At the urging of Barbara Parkins, the song was given to Warwick. Dionne's John Williams' arranged original version is heard throughout the film. Due to contractual restrictions, Warwick's voice was substituted on the LP album recording of the soundtrack and Warwick was contractually permitted to appear only on the film's actual soundtrack and not the recording released on the 20th Century label. Record buyers of the 20th Century Soundtrack LP were sorely disappointed to find Warwick's voice absent from the LP, although no mention was made that the LP did not not contain the actual Warwick soundtrack. Warwick recut the tune for her home Scepter label with an arrangement by Pat Williams and conducted by Bacharach with Bacharach on piano, and this version hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in February 1968, and #4 on the Canadian Chart, #28 in the UK, #2 on the Billboard AC Chart and #13 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Singles chart. The tune hit #1 on the Record World Chart in March 1968. "Theme From 'Valley of the Dolls', the "B" side of Dionne's million selling "I Say a Little Prayer", also became another million seller for Dionne.

Dionne Warwick's twelfth album for the Scepter label "Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls" featured the single along with another Top Ten hit "Do You Know the Way to San Jose". The album was smartly marketed as "The only album in which you will hear Dionne Warwick singing the "Theme From 'Valley of the Dolls'". The album hit #6 on the Billboard Album Chart and #2 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Album Chart and would remain on the Hot 100 Album Chart for over a year. It was recorded during the summer and fall of 1967 and was released early the next year. The album was awarded an RIAA gold award.

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[johnnyu278]

I can remember working at the drive-in theater at the time this movie came out. After the show and the cars were gone it was my job to walk the grounds and turn down the car speakers. This song would play and it was so peaceful with the warm gentle breeze's of the night blowing through my longish hair. There would be a million stars out and the moments were so serene with the angelic voice of Dionne. Every so often I would have to knock on car windows to interrupt the night long make out session

[BobbyCharlesIdk]

Like if Marla from Fight Club brought you here

[ACORNSUCKS]

Sad song.

[Kevierae]

Aaron: I just found out that you OD'd last night. I'm devastated and feel for your parents and your sister. R.I.P, my friend. I hope you've found the peace that always alluded you in this world.

[dgoldeng]

I agree with one of the people who posted a comment that the family is talented with God gifted voices, Dionne and Whitney. I grew up listening to Dionne and she is one of my favorite. RIP Whitney and let's all remember that Jesus Christ holds our past, present and future.

[brainsareus]

sadly,very fitting song,given the theme of drug addiction, in "valley of the dolls". the connection to her recently departed cousin,is almost eerie.

[maria81860]

@dibotis I just wanted to say that I love your video! Love it! I am the last child of a large family and grew up listening to Ms. Dionne Warwick; my old siblings used to play her songs over and over. They still do! Thank you so very much for posting this video. It brought me back on years and years of my beautiful life.

[stevie68a]

A really original lyric, and excellent reading by Ms. Warwick. She has a "recorded live" album,

where she does this song, and it's even better than this version.

[calvintoronto]

RIP Dory Previn, the writer/composer of this song (along with her then-husband Andre Previn), at age 86. She also wrote "Come Saturday Morning," for the film "The Sterile Cuckoo."

There is a fine appreciation of her in the New York Times. Go to the Times' website and and in Dory Previn in the search box.

[LorrieannR]

@MegaJohncoffey You do realize that Dionne was already a recording star when Whitney was born, right? I'd say that she came by her talent honestly.

[ormandye]

RIP Dory Previn.....

[MegaJohncoffey]

YOU CAN SEE SHE GOT HER TALENT FROM HER COUSIN DIONNE REST IN PEACE WHITNEY