Moon River, the complete story.
> Yes, you must hear it. I believe it's the most covered song
> ever. It was originally released in 1961 or 62 for the movie
> Breakfast at Tiffany's (where's that person with all the Audrey
> Hepburn pics???). I'm sure it's on some compilations too. Just
> be sure you get the original version by Henry Mancini (it's
> written by Mancini and Johnny Mercer) since it's been covered so
> many times. I'm sure you could find a CD with it at your local
> library.
Henri Mancini has said that, although there have been over a thousand cover versions of his "Moon River," always the one that remained his favourite was the original--the one that Audrey sang in the film. Mancini felt that no one had ever sung it with the honesty that Audrey did.
If you buy the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" soundtrack, you'll only get the instrumental version of "Moon River" which is still good (and jazzy), but it's not the "original." For the version Audrey sang, you'll have to buy "Music From the Films of Audrey Hepburn" (the only LP I know of with it), or you'll just have to watch the film. I suggest the latter, because it's wonderful and has its merits aside from the fact that Audrey is in it. Also, if you've read the book, you'll be able to appreciate the amazing job George Axelrod did translating it into script form.
One little interesting bit of info for anyone who might be interested: once the film was completed, Audrey and Blake Edwards (the director) met with the head of Paramount studios in a San Francisco hotel after the initial screening. Once in their room to discuss the picture, the first thing that the studio head said, was (this may not be an EXACT quote), "I'll tell you one thing... we can get rid of that song." He was referring to "Moon River" of course. Well, Audrey stood right up and replied, "over my dead body" (that was an accurate quote).
And the rest is, as they say, history. "Moon River" went on to become the most famous theme song in movie history. Amazing how senseless some of these executives are isn't it? It's not extraneous at all. It even helps Holly Golightly's character development.
Oh yeah, by the way, Audrey actually played the song in the film (below is a picture from that scene). My boyfriend told me that her fingering is spot on--and those are jazz chords or something she's using which are apparently much more difficult.
One last thing regarding this thread. I've heard just a couple of covers of "Moon River" aside from Morrissey's, and I have to admit that I think Morrissey's is the most moving--even more so than Audrey's version. Although Audrey delivered with honesty, Morrissey has an aching sense of loss and sorrow in his voice which I'm not sure anyone could ever express to the same degree. I think Morrissey gave as much, probably more, to "Moon River" than anybody else. But that's said with the understanding that I haven't heard every version out there. All I know is that Morrissey's version, literally, nearly always makes my eyes water... To hear him sing those words, and to know that it's him... it's so, so touching. I love his version.