Henry Mancini - Moon River (Lyrics in Body)

"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Henry Mancini (music) in 1961, for whom it won that year's Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was originally sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists. The song also won the 1962 Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

The success of the song was responsible for re-launching 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.

Henry Mancini has written some of the most compelling and memorable melodies in pop music. "Moon River" is nothing less than one of the most gorgeous and emotionally affecting tunes written. It exists as a cultural currency so well-known and instantly recognizable that it is internal to so many and can almost certainly be called to mind instantly. Undeniably nostalgic and unabashedly sentimental, "Moon River" speaks to most people, regardless of musical taste and background. The song just seems so elemental that despite the fact that it was only written as far back as 1961, it is hard to imagine that the melody has not always existed. Perhaps it has.
The purest way to experience the melody might be in its mostly instrumental form as Mancini's original orchestral theme for the film Breakfast at Tiffany's.

http://www.allmusic.com/song/moon-river-t2648004

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_River

Audrey Hepburn Lyrics
" Moon River "

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, 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
We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

(moon river, wider than a mile)
(i'm crossin' you in style some day)
Oh, 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
We're after that same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Moon River
• Henry Mancini
• Audrey Hepburn
• Johnny Mercer
• 1961
• Movie

[rasrealtor]

@NedNickerson2010 I can't think of any song that I would have not loved to hear Karen sing. And as much as I like Marilyn, This part belongs to Audrey.

[NedNickerson2010]

The character of Holly Golightly was actually based on Marilyn Monroe. Truman Capote wanted Marilyn to play Holly Golightly, but Audrey Hepburn was cast instead. Though it would have been interesting to have seen Marilyn play the role, it's hard to imagine anyone but Audrey Hepburn playing the part. "Moon River" is another song I wish Karen Carpenter had recorded. I can imagine her singing it quietly and simply, the way she did her solo version of "Make Believe It's Your First Time."