Audrey Hepburn > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

It seemed kinda dumb to go through all these Moon Rivers without the one that made it worth it.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #7 (Moon River Edition #4)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Ballad #30

Jerry Butler > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Moon River was a song that kept (and keeps) on giving and giving. When Andy Williams had a hit on it, Vee-Jay realized their guy could sing it better, and they had a hit too.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #7 (Moon River Edition #4)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Cover #47
Ballad #29 
Legends of Soul #18

The Jazz Crusaders > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Not surprisingly, jazz musicians love Mancini’s tunes. I mean, Mancini loved jazz musicians.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #6 (Moon River Edition #3)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Cover #46

Johnny Mercer > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Moon River was one of those rare tunes that it seemed like everyone wanted to touch. So I guess when Hank had a hit with it, Johnny wanted in too.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #5 (Moon River Edition #2)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Ballad #28 
Cover #45

Henry Mancini > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Having never given Henry Mancini’s music a second’s thought before the lounge trend pushed him up into my aural view, I can’t believe how in love with it I am now.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #4 (Moon River Edition #1)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & #16
Ballad #27

The Brooklyn Bridge > The Worst That Could Happen
Composed by Jimmy Webb

When this track came out in 1968 I had no idea who Johnny Maestro (the BB’s lead singer) was, that he’d had another hit I kind of liked, or that The Worst That Could Happen was a note for note cover of a Jimmy Webb song recorded by The Fifth Dimension. I just knew it was a completely corny record.

So, here I am 40 years later and it’s on my personal Top 100 list. Go figure. (Told you I was a wimp).

Songwriters & their Songs Week #3
Legends of Songwriting #14 
Cover #44 
Ballad #26

Jimmy Webb > The Worst That Could Happen
Composed by Jimmy Webb

Regular KLM listeners already know what a sap I am. But even to those who know me best my adoration for this song, and Jimmy’s less than perfect vocalizing, leaves them at a loss.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #2
Legends of Songwriting #14 
Cover #43 
Ballad #25

Aretha Franklin > Do Right Man
Composed by Dan Penn & Chips Moman

When I was first listening to great songs, it didn’t occur to me they were actually written by anyone, I guess I just thought they had always, uh, been.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #2
Legends of Songwriting #12 & #13 
Legends of Soul #3 
Ballad #24

Dan Penn > Do Right Man
Composed by Dan Penn & Chips Moman

It’s amazing how many of my favorite soul songs these guys wrote. And, how much Dan can get out the same songs.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #1
Legends of Songwriting #12 & #13 
Cover #42 
Ballad #23