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The Song from Moulin Rouge

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"The Song from Moulin Rouge" (also known as "Where Is Your Heart") is a popular song that first appeared in the 1952 film Moulin Rouge.

History

The music was written by Georges Auric. The original French lyrics were by Jacques Larue, the English words by William Engvick. However, in the film the song is called "It's April Again", and there is no mention of the phrase "Where Is Your Heart".

In Moulin Rouge, the theme song was sung by Muriel Smith, dubbing for Zsa Zsa Gabor who lip-synched to Smith's singing.

The most popular version of the song was made by Percy Faith's Orchestra, with a vocal by Felicia Sanders. The recording by Faith and Sanders was made on January 22, 1953 and released by Columbia Records in both 78 and 45 rpm single formats through catalog numbers 39944 and 4-39944 respectively. It first reached the Billboard chart on March 28, 1953 and lasted 24 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 1 and spent ten weeks at the top.[1] This version finished as the No. 1 song for 1953, according to Billboard.[2]

In the United Kingdom, the version by Mantovani was the biggest hit, on which recording the plaintive accordion theme was played by Henry Krein. This version also charted in the U.S. The recording by Mantovani was released in the U.S. by London Records as catalog number 1328. It first reached the Billboard chart on May 16, 1953 and lasted five weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 13.[1] However, in the UK, Mantovani's version of the track reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart.[3][4]

The song also reached number one on the Cash Box chart, which combined all versions, in 1953. Both Faith's and Mantovani's versions sold over a million copies.[3]

A recording by Henri René and His Orchestra was made at Manhattan Center, New York City, on March 20, 1953. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5264 (in U.S.)[5] and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10483.

Victor Skaarup wrote the Danish lyrics. The Danish title is "Sangen fra Moulin Rouge". Raquel Rastenni with Hans Peder Åse's orchestra recorded it in Copenhagen in 1953. The song was released on the 78 rpm record His Master's Voice X 8136.

In Australia, The Mastertouch Piano Roll Company released a player-piano roll version, number AD 4716, in 1953.

Ray Conniff and his Orchestra & Chorus released an instrumental version on their 1963 album "The Happy Beat".

The Norman Luboff Choir released a version of the song on their 1964 album, "Great Movie Themes".

Andy Williams released a version of the song on his 1964 album, The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies.

Al Hirt released a version on his 1965 album, They're Playing Our Song.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940-1955. Record Research.
  2. ^ Billboard year-end top 30 singles of 1953
  3. ^ a b Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 10. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 20. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ "RCA Victor 20-5000 - 5500 78rpm numerical listing discography". 78discography.com. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  6. ^ "Al (He's The King) Hirt* - They're Playing Our Song (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
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