Sweet Leilani

"Sweet Leilani" is a song from the 1937 film, Waikiki Wedding.[1] It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and was popularized by Bing Crosby who recorded it in 1935.[1]

Harry Owens wrote the song on October 20, 1934, for his daughter Leilani who was born the previous day. Leilani is a popular Hawaiian name, meaning "heavenly garland of flowers" (not "heavenly flower"). It also has a figurative meaning – small Hawaiian children were carried on their parents' shoulders like a lei (a garland) so the name took on the meaning "heavenly child".

References

  1. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 134. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 

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