Today’s song is “Moon River” by Andy Williams. A slow and sweet ballad about letting yourself get swept away by the current of life.
- Andy Williams had a career spanning over 70 years, with six Grammy Awards, an Emmy-winning variety show and 43 albums.
- “Moon River” was composed by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer.
- Originally performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the song became a staple of Williams’ songbook when he recorded it in 1962.
- The lyrics were inspired by Mercer’s childhood in Savannah, Georgia, where he spent summers by the water picking huckleberries.
- “Moon River” first hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961, when it was released by soul singer Jerry Butler, reaching number 11. Though Williams’ version was never released as a single, it was featured on his certified gold album, Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes.
- Since then, it’s been recorded by many other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.
- An inlet in Savannah, Georgia, Mercer’s hometown, was named Moon River in his honor.
- Andy Williams sang a live version of “Moon River” for the NBC 75th anniversary telecast in 2002.
- In 2020, British musician Jacob Collier won a Grammy for his a capella cover of “Moon River.
Lyrics:
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