Breakfast at Tiffany's: Music from the Motion Picture
Encyclopedia
Breakfast at Tiffany's: Music from the Motion Picture is the soundtrack from the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Audrey Hepburn
. The tracks were composed and conducted by Henry Mancini
, except for "Moon River
" and "Moon River Cha Cha," which were also composed by Johnny Mercer
. At the 1962 Academy Awards
, Mancini won the Oscar for Best Original Song
for "Moon River," while he and Mercer won for Best Original Score
. The album also stayed on Billboard’s album charts for over ninety weeks.
, Henry Mancini
was asked by director Blake Edwards
to compose the soundtrack to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Mancini chose to go against the grain and compose a jazz
based soundtrack that was contrary to the rock craze that was present in America during the early sixties. This was not surprising because he was the protégé of jazz
legend Glenn Miller
, and created the Academy Award winning score for The Glenn Miller Story
. After a preview screening of the film an executive from Paramount
was convinced that the song “Moon River” was dead weight in the film and it was due to be cut. Upon learning this Hepburn threw a fit and responded, “Over my dead body.” This response was likely due to the friendly relationship that she had with Henry Mancini
. Subsequent to the insistence that the song stay in the film it was not cut and went on to be a hit.
and Henry Mancini
met through Mancini’s wife whom Edwards had known for a number of years. After connecting they decided to collaborate on the television show Peter Gunn
, for which Mancini created the title theme. When Edwards learned he would be directing Breakfast at Tiffany’s he chose Mancini as his partner. Both times their partnership scored gold ,and went on to work collaborate on four other films together.
All the credit for the song “Moon River
” cannot be given to Mancini, as Johnny Mercer
provided the lyrics for the song. The pair of artists also had a smooth relationship, which resulted in the creation of this timeless song. After Mancini played the melody for Mercer, he offered three different variations of lyrics and the two decided on a final combination.
Although over ninety jazz musicians and artists have covered the song “Moon River
” Mancini fully believed that Hepburn’s was undoubtedly the best. He is quoted saying, “Moon River was written for her. No one else has ever understood it so completely. There have been more than a thousand versions of "Moon River
", but hers is unquestionably the greatest.”* Mancini held complete adoration and respect for Audrey Hepburn
and it was clear that the feeling was mutual. After watching the film Audrey wrote a letter to Mancini saying, “Your music has lifted us all up and sent us soaring. Everything we cannot say with words or show with action you have expressed for us. You have done this with so much imagination, fun and beauty. You are the hippest of cats - and the most sensitive of composers!”
” serves as an identifier and unofficial theme song for the movie. It is featured at the beginning and end of the movie which adds to the lasting impression that it leaves.
It also adds to the personality of the character Holly Golightly
, played by Audrey Hepburn
. She sings the song in the film and the lyrics add to the strength and humility of her character. It expresses her grief over the loss of her brother and her longing to be secure again. It serves as the immersion of Holly Golightly’s sensitive nature and to the loss that she has experienced. Another song that is descriptive of a character in the film is “Mr. Yunioshi.” The character is played Mickey Rooney
, and the song represents his kooky and hyper nature.
Apart from characterization, several of the songs are made to describe the mood of the scene that it was used in. For example, the song “The Big Blow Out” is used in the scene where Holly Golightly
throws a wild bash in her tiny New York
apartment. It features a fast pace and bold trumpet solos that mirrors the many crammed and drunken guests, as well as the festive mood of the scene.
This album was not only successful when it was released in 1962, as its popularity remaines today. The soundtrack was re-released to France
in 2007, Greece
in 2008, the Philippines
in 2009, and to the United Kingdom
in January 2011.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
. The tracks were composed and conducted by Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
, except for "Moon River
Moon River
"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini 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...
" and "Moon River Cha Cha," which were also composed by Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
. At the 1962 Academy Awards
34th Academy Awards
The 34th Academy Awards, honoring the best in film for 1961, were held on April 9, 1962 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. They were hosted by Bob Hope; this was the seventh time Hope hosted the Oscars...
, Mancini won the Oscar for Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
for "Moon River," while he and Mercer won for Best Original Score
Academy Award for Best Original Score
The Academy Award for Original Score is presented to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer.-Superlatives:...
. The album also stayed on Billboard’s album charts for over ninety weeks.
Background
Because of his success with title themes, such as the hit theme to the television show Peter GunnPeter Gunn
Peter Gunn is an American private eye television series which aired on the NBC and later ABC television networks from 1958 to 1961. The show's creator was Blake Edwards...
, Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
was asked by director Blake Edwards
Blake Edwards
Blake Edwards was an American film director, screenwriter and producer.Edwards' career began in the 1940s as an actor, but he soon turned to writing radio scripts at Columbia Pictures...
to compose the soundtrack to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Mancini chose to go against the grain and compose a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
based soundtrack that was contrary to the rock craze that was present in America during the early sixties. This was not surprising because he was the protégé of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
legend Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
, and created the Academy Award winning score for The Glenn Miller Story
The Glenn Miller Story
The Glenn Miller Story is a 1954 American film directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart in their first non-western collaboration.-Plot:...
. After a preview screening of the film an executive from Paramount
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
was convinced that the song “Moon River” was dead weight in the film and it was due to be cut. Upon learning this Hepburn threw a fit and responded, “Over my dead body.” This response was likely due to the friendly relationship that she had with Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
. Subsequent to the insistence that the song stay in the film it was not cut and went on to be a hit.
Collaborations
Like all great works, this album would not have been such a success were it not for the effortless team that worked to produce it. Blake EdwardsBlake Edwards
Blake Edwards was an American film director, screenwriter and producer.Edwards' career began in the 1940s as an actor, but he soon turned to writing radio scripts at Columbia Pictures...
and Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
met through Mancini’s wife whom Edwards had known for a number of years. After connecting they decided to collaborate on the television show Peter Gunn
Peter Gunn
Peter Gunn is an American private eye television series which aired on the NBC and later ABC television networks from 1958 to 1961. The show's creator was Blake Edwards...
, for which Mancini created the title theme. When Edwards learned he would be directing Breakfast at Tiffany’s he chose Mancini as his partner. Both times their partnership scored gold ,and went on to work collaborate on four other films together.
All the credit for the song “Moon River
Moon River
"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini 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...
” cannot be given to Mancini, as Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
provided the lyrics for the song. The pair of artists also had a smooth relationship, which resulted in the creation of this timeless song. After Mancini played the melody for Mercer, he offered three different variations of lyrics and the two decided on a final combination.
Although over ninety jazz musicians and artists have covered the song “Moon River
Moon River
"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini 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...
” Mancini fully believed that Hepburn’s was undoubtedly the best. He is quoted saying, “Moon River was written for her. No one else has ever understood it so completely. There have been more than a thousand versions of "Moon River
Moon River
"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini 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...
", but hers is unquestionably the greatest.”* Mancini held complete adoration and respect for Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
and it was clear that the feeling was mutual. After watching the film Audrey wrote a letter to Mancini saying, “Your music has lifted us all up and sent us soaring. Everything we cannot say with words or show with action you have expressed for us. You have done this with so much imagination, fun and beauty. You are the hippest of cats - and the most sensitive of composers!”
Album Information
The album includes twelve original compositions that can be enjoyed on their own but also contribute to the mood of scenes and plot line of the film. The title song “Moon RiverMoon River
"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini 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...
” serves as an identifier and unofficial theme song for the movie. It is featured at the beginning and end of the movie which adds to the lasting impression that it leaves.
It also adds to the personality of the character Holly Golightly
Holly Golightly
Holly Golightly is a British singer-songwriter. Her mother christened her after the protagonist in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her musical style ranges from garage rock to R&B.-Musical career:...
, played by Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
. She sings the song in the film and the lyrics add to the strength and humility of her character. It expresses her grief over the loss of her brother and her longing to be secure again. It serves as the immersion of Holly Golightly’s sensitive nature and to the loss that she has experienced. Another song that is descriptive of a character in the film is “Mr. Yunioshi.” The character is played Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
, and the song represents his kooky and hyper nature.
Apart from characterization, several of the songs are made to describe the mood of the scene that it was used in. For example, the song “The Big Blow Out” is used in the scene where Holly Golightly
Holly Golightly
Holly Golightly is a British singer-songwriter. Her mother christened her after the protagonist in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her musical style ranges from garage rock to R&B.-Musical career:...
throws a wild bash in her tiny New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
apartment. It features a fast pace and bold trumpet solos that mirrors the many crammed and drunken guests, as well as the festive mood of the scene.
This album was not only successful when it was released in 1962, as its popularity remaines today. The soundtrack was re-released to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 2007, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in 2008, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 2009, and to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in January 2011.
Track listing
All music composed by Henry Mancini except as noted.- "Moon RiverMoon River"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini 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...
" (Henry ManciniHenry ManciniHenry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
, Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) - "Something for Cat"
- "Sally's Tomato"
- "Mr. Yunioshi"
- "The Big Blow Out"
- "Hub Caps and Tail Lights"
- "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
- "Latin Golightly"
- "Holly"
- "Loose Caboose"
- "The Big Heist"
- "Moon River Cha Cha" (Mancini, Mercer)
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Billboard Pop Albums (Billboard 200) (stereo) | 1 |