"Hushabye Mountain" is a ballad by the songwriting team Robert and Richard Sherman. It appears twice in the 1968 Albert R. Broccoli motion picture Chitty Chitty Bang Bang:[1] first as an idyllic lullaby by Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke) to his children;[2] and later when the children of Vulgaria have lost all hope of salvation. The song is also featured prominently in the 2002 and 2005 stage musical versions.
| "Hushabye Mountain" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Dick Van Dyke | |
| A-side | "You Two" |
| Released | 1968 |
| Length | 1:51 |
| Label | United Artists |
| Songwriter(s) | Sherman Brothers |
Other versions
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The song was first released in a version by Tony Bennett in June 1968, before the film and its soundtrack were released. "Hushabye Mountain" has since been covered by many artists. Bobbie Gentry, Julie London, Monty Sunshine and Wendy Craig also recorded the song in 1968. Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song for their 1969 album The Chipmunks Go to the Movies.
Singer Stacey Kent recorded a version of this song for her 2001 album Dreamsville,[3] British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber recorded the song on Unexpected Songs (2006),[4] Hayley Westenra recorded a version for her album Hushabye (2013),[5] Pink Martini and the von Trapps recorded a version for their 2014 collaboration album Dream a Little Dream,[6] British comedian Alexander Armstrong performed it for his album debut A Year of Songs (2015),[7] British comedian Jason Manford included the song on his album A Different Stage (2017),[8] American Belz Hasidic singer Shulem Lemmer covered the song on his album The Perfect Dream (2019),[9] and English actress and television personality Amanda Holden recorded her version for her 2020 debut album Songs from My Heart.[10]
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour performed the song at his 2001-2 semi-acoustic solo performances, as captured on the David Gilmour in Concert DVD.[11] In October 2017, Belly released a cover of the song, as part of a PledgeMusic campaign for their new album.[12] It was also included on their 2018 EP Feel, released as a Record Store Day exclusive.
In popular culture
edit- A version of the song was used in a Boots commercial for their Full Impact No.7 mascara, directed by Dougal Wilson.[when?][citation needed]
- The song was recorded by Danny Elfman as the character Jack Skellington for the film The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), but was ultimately not used.[citation needed]
- Dakota Fanning sang the song in Steven Spielberg's 2005 release of War of the Worlds.[13]
- A cover by Maggie Szabo was used in a 2016 episode of Criminal Minds.[14]
- In the Family Guy episode "Friends of Peter G", this song is playing when Peter tunes his car radio to the Lullaby Channel.
References
edit- ^ Burlingame, Jon (2012). The Music of James Bond. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199863303.
- ^ Albrecht, Sally K (2008). Broadway for Solo Singers: Contemporary Arrangements of 10 Broadway Favorites. Alfred Music Publishing. ISBN 9780739049563.
- ^ Dreamsville at AllMusic. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Unexpected Songs review. JulianLloydWebber.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Babies born on Royal Baby's birthday to receive Hayley Westenra CD, 13 June 2013. Classic FM. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Greenwald, David (14 January 2014). "Pink Martini and the von Trapps announce new album, 'Dream a Little Dream'". The Oregonian. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Listen to Alexander Armstrong sing from his debut album, A Year of Songs, 23 September 2015. Classic FM. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ Foster, Ian (21 October 2017) Album Review: Jason Manford – A Different Stage. My Theatre Mates. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ Elisa Bray (October 7, 2018). "The voice from the Belz; A Belz Chasid from Brooklyn's life changed forever when the CEO of the classical arm of Universal Records stumbled across his Youtube video," The JC.
- ^ Amanda Holden releases debut album Songs From My Heart, 2 October 2020. Heart UK. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ Fitch, Vernon (2005). The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia (Third ed.). Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 119, 147. ISBN 978-1-894959-24-7.
- ^ Hojsak, Sarah (7 November 2017) Listen to Belly’s “Hushabye Mountain” cover, their first recording in 22 years. The Key - "Discover Philly's Best Local Music". WXPN. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Kermode, Mark (3 July 2005) Be afraid, very afraid - again. The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Wolfe, Douglas (28 January 2016) Criminal Minds Season 11 Episode 13 Review: The Bond. TV Fanatic. Retrieved 30 September 2021.