Today’s song is “Moon River” by Andy Williams. A slow and sweet ballad about letting yourself get swept away by the current of life.

• Andy Williams had a career spanning over 70 years, with six Grammy Awards, an Emmy-winning variety show and 43 albums.
• “Moon River” was composed by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer.
• Originally performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the song became a staple of Williams’ songbook when he recorded it in 1962.
• The lyrics were inspired by Mercer’s childhood in Savannah, Georgia, where he spent summers by the water picking huckleberries.
• “Moon River” first hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961, when it was released by soul singer Jerry Butler, reaching number 11. Though Williams’ version was never released as a single, it was featured on his certified gold album, Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes.
• Since then, it’s been recorded by many other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.
• An inlet in Savannah, Georgia, Mercer’s hometown, was named Moon River in his honor.
• Andy Williams sang a live version of “Moon River” for the NBC 75th anniversary telecast in 2002.
• In 2020, British musician Jacob Collier won a Grammy for his a capella cover of “Moon River.

Lyrics:

(Musixmatch)

Moon river, wider than a mile

I’m crossing you in style some day

Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker

Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way

Two drifters, off to see the world

There’s such a lot of world to see

We’re after the same rainbow’s end

Waitin’ ’round the bend

My huckleberry friend

Moon river and me