Swinging on a Star
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[edit] Origins
Swinging on a Star was recorded in 1944 by singer Bing Crosby. 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 February of 1944 with backup vocals by The Williams Brothers.
In 1956, it was covered by Oscar Peterson on his LP At the Startford Shakespearean Festival.
In 1960, it was covered by Mark Murphy on his LP Hip Parade
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 1990, it was covered by Joanie Bartels on her CD Sillytime Magic.
In 1991, it was covered by Bruce Willis and Danny Aiello in the movie Hudson Hawk.
In 1992, it was covered by Michael Feinstein on his CD Pure Imagination_(Album).
In 1993, it was covered by Dave McKenna on his CD Handful of Stars.
In 1998, it was covered by Tony Bennett on his CD Playground.
In 1999, it was covered by Ruby Braffon his CD In The Wee, Small Hours.
In 2000, it was covered by Lori Johnson on her CD Class Act_(Album).
In 2001, it was covered by Wylie and the Wild West on the CD Paradise_(Album).
In 2002, it was covered by Susan Johnson on her CD Previously Unreleased Live Performances.
A rerecorded version was used as the theme tune to the sitcom Out of This World in 1987-1991.
[edit] Awards
Best Song Academy Award 1944
Grammy Hall of Fame 2002
[edit] See Also
| Preceded by: "You'll Never Know" from Hello, Frisco, Hello |
Academy Award for Best Song 1944 |
Succeeded by: "It Might as Well Be Spring" from State Fair |
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