Avery Collins
Moon River is a song from the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, which is sung by Audrey Hepburn, who plays the eccentric New York socialite Holly Golightly. The song was composed by Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and has since been recorded over 500 times by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Judy Garland. Despite Hepburn not being a trained singer, her performance was praised as sincere and natural, and the song went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Audrey Hepburn sing 'Moon River' in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' | Yes |
| Year of the movie's release | 1961 |
| Hepburn's character in the movie | Holly Golightly |
| Description of Hepburn's singing voice | Soft, wispy, breathy, dreamy, sincere, natural, and heartfelt |
| Composition of 'Moon River' | By Henry Mancini |
| Lyricist of 'Moon River' | Johnny Mercer |
| Awards won by 'Moon River' | Academy Award for Best Original Song, Record of the Year, Song of the Year at the 1962 Grammy Awards |
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What You'll Learn
Audrey Hepburn's singing voice
Hepburn's rendition of "Moon River" is soft, breathy, and dreamy, filling the track with a romantic yearning for a simpler life. Despite her untrained voice, Hepburn's performance was a triumph, and she was pleased with the result, writing to Mancini that his music had "lifted us all up and sent us soaring." Mancini's wife, Ginny, recalled that her husband composed the song after watching Hepburn sing "How Long Has This Been Going On" in the film Funny Face, knowing that she could sing something in that range.
"Moon River" almost didn't make the final cut of Breakfast at Tiffany's, as the film was considered too long. However, Hepburn intervened and made a case for the song to stay, and it ultimately resulted in an Oscar victory for Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1962. The song also won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1962 Grammy Awards.
"Moon River" has since been recorded over 500 times by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and Sarah Vaughan. It became Hepburn's signature song, and her performance is considered a triumph, showcasing her excellent singing voice and acting talent.
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Composition and songwriters
"Moon River" is a song composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was composed specifically for Audrey Hepburn to sing in the film, with the melody tailored to her limited vocal range.
Mancini spent a month tinkering with the melody, finally writing the song in half an hour. He then sent the tune to Mercer, who penned lyrics that harked back to the landscape of his childhood in Savannah, Georgia. The song is a love song, but not addressed to a lover; the "dream maker" and "heartbreaker" is the river itself. It is a metaphor for yearning for the unpredictable adventures of life.
The song was almost cut from the film after a preview screening in 1961, with Paramount studio head Martin Rackin saying, "I love the picture, fellas... but the f*ing song has to go." However, Hepburn was outraged and insisted, "Over my dead body!" The song was saved, and Hepburn's performance was a triumph. Mancini always believed that Hepburn's rendition was the best, saying, "No one else has ever understood it so completely."
The song won two Academy Awards and two Grammys, and in 2004, it was named the fourth most memorable song in Hollywood history by the American Film Institute. The song's success also relaunched Mercer's career as a songwriter, which had stalled in the mid-1950s due to the rise of rock and roll.
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Awards and accolades
"Moon River", the popular song from the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, has earned numerous awards and accolades over the years. The song is composed by Henry Mancini and written by Johnny Mercer. It is sung by the film's star, Audrey Hepburn, who plays the role of eccentric New York socialite Holly Golightly.
Despite the song's immense popularity today, it almost didn't make the final cut of the film. After the first preview screening of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Paramount studio head Martin Rackin expressed his dislike for the song and wanted it removed. However, Hepburn, who was not a singer, firmly stood her ground and insisted that the song stay in the film.
Hepburn's rendition of "Moon River" received high praise from Mancini, who always believed that her interpretation was the best. He tailored the melody to her limited vocal range, and her wispy performance was considered a triumph.
"Moon River" went on to win several prestigious awards. In 1962, Mancini and Mercer received the Academy Award for Best Movie Song. The same year, the song won three Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Performance by an Orchestra for Other Than Dancing. It also won a Golden Laurel Award for Top Song. In 2004, the American Film Institute named "Moon River" the fourth most memorable song in Hollywood history.
The song has been recorded by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and Sarah Vaughan. Andy Williams, who first recorded the song in 1962, made it the theme song for his television show and named his production company after it. "Moon River" has endured as a beloved and iconic piece of music, with Hepburn's performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's solidifying its place in cinematic and musical history.
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Versions by other artists
"Moon River" has been recorded by numerous artists over 500 times. The song has touched a great number of people, and artists across a diverse range of genres have given it a shot.
Andy Williams had the biggest hit with "Moon River". He first recorded it in 1962, made it his show's theme song, and named his production company and autobiography after the hit. Williams' version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018.
Other notable covers include those by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Brightman, and Chevy Chase. Patty Griffin's version is noted for its similarity to Hepburn's, while Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck's version adds depth to the original. Neil Finn and Paul Kelly performed the song on their Goin' Your Way Tour in 2013, and their performance at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall was recorded for the live album, Goin' Your Way.
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The film Breakfast at Tiffany's
The film *Breakfast at Tiffany's* is based on Truman Capote's novel of the same name. It was released in 1961 and was directed by Blake Edwards. The film is considered an iconic classic, with Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly being one of the main highlights. Hepburn's portrayal of the eccentric New York socialite received rave reviews, with critics considering it one of her most memorable and identifiable roles. In the film, there is a moment where Holly Golightly, feeling blue, sings the song "Moon River" while playing the guitar on her fire escape. This song, composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, almost didn't make the final cut of the film. Paramount studio head Martin Rackin wanted to remove the song, but Hepburn firmly objected, saying it would be over her dead body.
"Moon River" has since become one of the most memorable songs in Hollywood history. Mancini's music won two Academy Awards and two Grammys. The song was also ranked fourth by the American Film Institute in 2004. Despite its simplicity, "Moon River" has remained widely loved due to its bittersweet melody and the yearning it expresses for an adventurous life. The song has been recorded over 500 times by various artists, including Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Judy Garland.
In addition to Hepburn's performance, *Breakfast at Tiffany's* is also known for its style, music, and supporting cast. The film grossed $14 million worldwide on a $2.5 million budget and received several accolades. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Hepburn, and won two for Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Song for Mancini. The film was also nominated for Best Art and Set Decoration for a Colour Film and Best Screenplay adapted from Truman Capote's novella. However, it has received criticism for Mickey Rooney's portrayal of I.Y. Yunioshi, which has been deemed racist. In 2012, the film was preserved in the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Audrey Hepburn sang 'Moon River' in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Yes, the song was composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
In the film, Hepburn's character Holly Golightly sings 'Moon River'.
No, Hepburn was not a singer and did not want to sing. However, she fought to keep the song in the film after Paramount Pictures executives wanted to remove it.
