“More Than I Can Say” is a song written by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison, both former members of Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets. They recorded it in 1959 soon after Holly’s death and released it in 1960. Their original version hit #42 on British Record Retailer Chart on 5/12/60. It has been notably performed by singers Bobby Vee and Leo Sayer. Continue reading
“Moonlight Swim” was a hit song written by Ben Weisman and Sylvia Dee, and recorded by Nick Noble for Mercury Records. Noble reached Billboard’s #37 spot on the Billboard charts in September of 1957. The song ultimately belongs to the late Anthony Perkins, who, with this song peaked #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957 (the same year as Noble). The song was also later recorded by Elvis Presley and included in the soundtrack for his 1961 film Blue Hawaii. Continue reading
“Moon River” is a song composed by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Henry Mancini (music) in 1961, for whom it won that year’s Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was originally sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists. The song also won the 1962 Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Continue reading
“Monday, Monday” is a 1966 song written by John Phillips and recorded by The Mamas & the Papas for their 1966 album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears. It was the group’s only number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Continue reading
Mockin’ Bird Hill was written by George Vaughn Horton and published in 1951. It was popularized by Patti Page and by Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1951, and for both of them following on to their big hit of “The Tennessee Waltz” the previous year. The music of “Mockin’ Bird Hill” is based closely on a Swedish waltz called “Livet i Finnskogarna” or “Life in the Finnish Woods,” recorded by Carl Jularbo in 1915, which enjoyed some popularity in the U.S. Continue reading