Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" is a song performed by Christopher Cross, which was the theme to the 1981 film Arthur starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli.[1] It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and on the VG-lista chart in Norway.
Background
The song was written in collaboration between Cross, pop music composer Burt Bacharach, and his frequent writing partner Carole Bayer Sager. A fourth writing credit went to Minnelli's ex-husband and Australian songwriter Peter Allen,[1] also a frequent collaborator with Bayer Sager. The line "When you get caught between the moon and New York City" from the chorus is taken from an unreleased song they had previously written together.
The song won the 1981 Academy Award for Best Original Song,[1] and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. The award was presented by singer Bette Midler, who, in her presentation of the nominated songs, called the song " 'That Song About the Moon and New York City,' also known as 'Four on a Song,' " referring to the four songwriters.
In Japan, the song is known as ニューヨーク・シティ・セレナーデ or "New York City Serenade" and has enjoyed popularity over the years. Cross performed the song with J-pop band SMAP in 2004. The song was featured in a video that played in Shibuya Crossing (the world's busiest scramble crossing) in 2007.
It is No. 79 on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs.
Music video
The music video consisted of two acts, which are edited together in fade outs. Christopher Cross in One offers the song with some studio musicians in a recording studio and is in the Other is the story of the song illustrates.[2]
Notable cover recordings
Other uses
- This song was featured in the musical The Boy from Oz, about Peter Allen, in which Allen and Liza Minelli perform the song as a duet in Act 1. In the Australian version, it was placed in Act 2.
- In an episode of Will & Grace, Rosario Salazar, a maid, was paid to stop singing after she produced a harmonica and sang the chorus of "Arthur's Theme".
- In another episode of Will & Grace, Jack McFarland sang "Arthur's Theme" in his show, Just Jack, using props of cutouts of New York City and the Moon which be placed on either side of his face while singing the famous line in the chorus.
- In the episode "Peggy Hill: The Decline and Fall" of King of the Hill, pre-teen Bobby Hill resorts to singing the song as a lullaby to pacify his newborn uncle, when everybody else has given up trying to quieten the baby.
- Tom Servo of Mystery Science Theater 3000 sings a verse of this song during a scene from the film Time Chasers.
- A slightly different audio mix of the song is featured during the opening scenes of the film; especially noticeable is the saxophone solo, which, although apparently from the same recording session, has a different interpretation, rhythm and cadence to the solo on the record.
- In an episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun called "Mary Loves Scoochie", it is used to temporarily convince Liam Neesam to give up his evil plan.
- In the Friends episode "The One With Ross's New Girlfriend," Phoebe gives Monica a Dudley Moore haircut, rather than the Demi Moore cut she requested. Chandler mocks her, saying "Things could be worse. You could be caught between the moon and New York City. I know it's crazy, but it's true."
- In the Seinfeld episode "The Millennium," Newman hires Christopher Cross for his New Year's Eve party. When he finds out Elaine will not be attending, Kramer tells him he will be caught between the moon and New York City, while she is looking for someone to kiss.
Charts
| Chart (1981-82) |
Peak
position |
| Australian Kent Music Report |
13 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary[3] |
1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles[4] |
2 |
| French Singles Chart |
3 |
| Irish Singles Chart |
7 |
| Italian Singles Chart |
5 |
| Japan Oricon Singles Chart |
17 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart |
10 |
| Norwegian VG-Lista Singles Chart |
1 |
| South African Singles Chart |
7 |
| Spanish Singles Chart |
14 |
| Swiss Music Charts |
6 |
| U.K. Singles Chart[1] |
7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary |
1 |
See also
References
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- Complete list
- (1934–1940)
- (1941–1950)
- (1951–1960)
- (1961–1970)
- (1971–1980)
- (1981–1990)
- (1991–2000)
- (2001–2010)
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- "Fame" Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, Music by Michael Gore (1980)
- "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" Music & Lyrics by Peter Allen, Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross, & Carole Bayer Sager (1981)
- "Up Where We Belong" Lyrics by Wilbur Jennings, Music by Jack Nitzsche & Buffy Sainte-Marie (1982)
- "Flashdance... What a Feeling" Lyrics by Irene Cara, Keith Forsey, Music by Giorgio Moroder (1983)
- "I Just Called to Say I Love You" Music & Lyrics by Stevie Wonder (1984)
- "Say You, Say Me" Music & Lyrics by Lionel Richie (1985)
- "Take My Breath Away" Lyrics by Tom Whitlock, Music by Giorgio Moroder (1986)
- "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" Lyrics by Franke Previte, Music by John DeNicola & Donald Markowitz (1987)
- "Let the River Run" Music & Lyrics by Carly Simon/"Two Hearts" Lyrics by Phil Collins, Music by Lamont Dozier (1988)
- "Under the Sea" Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Music by Alan Menken (1989)
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Complete List · (1960s) · (1970s) · (1980s) · (1990s) · (2000s) · (2010s)
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