Well, well, well we are so close to that annual visitation from the bearded weirdie aren’t we? It’s December 12th and time to pull open another little cardboard door on my UK Christmas Number Ones Advent Calendar, unless of course you’re a ripper and simply rip that poor little cardboard flap right off its perforations. Anyway today’s delight comes from Christmas 1961 and only managed a fortnight at the top.
This is a proper record, do you young folks remember them?
It is Danny Williams‘ version of the timeless classic “Moon River”. The song was originally written for the film ‘Breakfast At Tiffanys’ released earlier that year. The song was performed by Audrey Hepburn, playing the role of Holly Golightly in the movie. Danny was South African and to many people his version remains the definitive one, although many have recorded it since. In fact it became somewhat of a theme song for Andy Williams who sang it on many of his TV shows. Which is your favourite version? Mine is the 70s reggae version from Greyhound which you will find at the end of this post.
Danny had quite an up and down career and suffered a nervous breakdown as well as bankruptcy. However he had another big top 30 hit in 1977 with “Dancin’ Easy” which was the song used in the Martini advertising campaign at the time
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 