Swinging on a Star
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"Swinging on a Star" is a popular song.
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[edit] Origins
Swinging on a Star was recorded in Los Angeles February 7, 1944 by singer Bing Crosby and released by Decca Records. Legendary crooner Andy Williams and his brothers in the Williams Brothers quartet backed up Bing on his 1944 version [1]. His song writer, Jimmy Van Heusen, was at Crosby’s house one evening for dinner and to discuss a song for the movie Going My Way. During the meal, one of the children began complaining about how he didn’t want to go to school the next day. The singer turned to his son and said to him, “If you don’t go to school, you might grow up to be a mule. Do you wanna do that?” Van Heusen thought that this clever rebuke would make a good song for the movie. He pictured Bing, playing a priest, talking to a group of children acting much the same way that his own child acted that night. When he took his idea to his partner, Johnny Burke, Johnny was quick to approve, and they wrote the song.
[edit] Recordings
The first recording of Swinging on a Star was first recorded in Los Angeles on February 7, 1944 with backup vocals by The Williams Brothers. It was also featured in the Little Lulu cartoon, Bout with a Trout.
In 1956, it was covered by Oscar Peterson on his LP At the Stratford Shakespearean Festival.
In 1959, Shari Lewis and her puppets sang this song on her LP "Hi Kids"
In 1960, it was covered by Mark Murphy on his LP Hip Parade
In 1963, it was covered by Big Dee Irwin and Little Eva
In 1963, it was sung by the Muppet Rowlf the Dog (voiced by Jim Henson) and Jimmy Dean on the Jimmy Dean Show
In 1964, it was covered by Frank Sinatra on his LP Sinatra Sings Days of Wine and Roses, Moon River, and Other Academy Award Winners.
In 1967, Pinky and Perky did a version of the song on their Summer Holiday EP
In 1968, it was covered by Dave van Ronk on his LP Dave Van Ronk and the Hudson Dusters
In 1969, Ray Stevens sang "Gitarzan", which featured the wrong notes from "Swinging on a Star". ("Carrying Moonbeams Home in a Jar").
In 1969, Susan and some Muppets sang the song on Sesame Street, episode 10.
In 1974 it was covered by Spooky & Sue - Youtube clips of this cover exist
In 1975, it was covered by Maureen McGovern on her LP Academy Award Performance: And the Envelope, Please
In 1975, it was sung by Julie Andrews on her TV special Julie Andrews: My Favorite Things.
In 1980, it was covered by Joanie Bartels on her CD Sillytime Magic.
In 1981, it was covered by Franciscus Henri on his children's album Sunshine Rainbows and Violins
In 1987, a new adaptation of the song was used as the theme song to the American television series Out of this World. It ran for four seasons from 1987 - 1991 in syndication.
Bruce Willis and Danny Aiello also sing the song in the 1991 film Hudson Hawk, because it is 02:53 minutes long. That is the time they need for a robbery. Although in the film they say they need 05:32 for the robbery. (the verses are sung in an incorrect order).
In 1992, it was covered by Michael Feinstein on his CD Pure Imagination.
In 1993, it was covered by Dave McKenna on his CD Handful of Stars.
In 1996, it was covered by Maria Muldaur on the CD A Child's Celebration Of Folk Music.
In 1998, it was covered by Tony Bennett on his CD Tony Bennett: The Playground.
In 1999, it was covered by Ruby Braff on his CD In The Wee, Small Hours.
In 2000, it was covered by Lori Johnson on her CD Class Act.
In 2001, it was covered by Wylie and the Wild West on the CD Paradise.
In 2002, it was covered by Susan Johnson on her CD Previously Unreleased LivePerformances.
In 2008, it was covered by Clare Teal as a b-side on the Children in Need CD BandAGEd: Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth.
The song was parodied in a The Far Side cartoon, which depicted a man-turned-pig saying to his wife, "Hey, so I made the wrong decision! [referring to the part of the song which says "Or would you rather be a pig"] But I wasn't sure I wanted to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar!"
During his 2009 Tour of Refusal indie legend Morrissey occasionally sang the chorus over the chorus of his 2004 hit 'First of the Gang to Die'.
[edit] Awards
[edit] References
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by "You'll Never Know" from Hello, Frisco, Hello |
Academy Award for Best Original Song 1944 |
Succeeded by "It Might as Well Be Spring" from State Fair |
