Talk to the Animals

For the Australian TV series see, Talk to the Animals (TV series).

"Talk to the Animals" is a song written by British composer, Leslie Bricusse.[1]

Written for the film, Doctor Dolittle, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards.[2] It was performed in the film by Rex Harrison. The song was not generally well appreciated, and in some cases was disliked, by those who were working on the film during the time of its production.[3] However, it has since become the signature song of the character as evidenced by it being sung in the 1998 remake of the film starring Eddie Murphy.

The song has also been performed by Alvin and the Chipmunks, Bobby Darin,[4] Sammy Davis, Jr.,[5] Roger Moore and the Muppet animals on The Muppet Show,[6] and Chief Wiggum of The Simpsons, in the episode "Homer's Barbershop Quartet". Chief Wiggum's voice was provided by Hank Azaria [7] The children's television show, Kidsongs, produced a music video of their rendition of the song.

References

  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 135. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  2. ^ Internet Movie Database - Doctor Dolittle(1967) - Awards
  3. ^ Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood. New York: The Penguin Press. 2008. ISBN 978-1-59420-152-3. 
  4. ^ Bobby Darin Discography: The Albums
  5. ^ Sammy Davis, Jr. Studio Recordings 1965-1969
  6. ^ The Internet Movie Database - "The Muppet Show" - Episode # 5.24 (1980) - Soundtrack
  7. ^ The Internet Movie Database - "The Simpsons" - Homer's Barbershop Quartet (1993) - Soundtracks
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