I came to a disturbing realization this week: The saddest song in the world is “Moon River”. That in itself isn’t disturbing (except for the fact that I think I can decide these things), but this is:
I have no personal attachment to “Moon River”. As far as I can recall, it’s never been the soundtrack to anything important in my life. I haven’t even seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s and am only vaguely aware that there’s a connection between that song and movie.
I’ve also never heard a version of this song that didn’t make me want to a) cry and b) turn it off. It almost seems like an exercise in self-flaggelation to have to sit through it.
Of course Morrissey went and did a nine minute version of the song; leave it to him to create a nine minute version of what I already consider the saddest song in the world.
So what the fuck is it? Can anyone tell me? Is it gene memory? Is there a scientific explanation?
You’d think Kid Koala’s version would be easier to swallow, but the out-of-sync records and scratching just make it sound like the singer’s sobbing for fuck’s sake.
It’s just really bothering me that it might just be simple notes and chords that is causing my reaction.
-kevin
Comments (5)
I always found Moon River to be more of a romantic song. "Two drifters off to see the world"... that's my sort of romance.
But certainly this song, specifically Morrissey's interpretation, is one of my favourites ever, and I also cannot give much of a reason why.
I too have never seen Breakfast At Tiffany's, and my first exposure to Moon River came from the same episode of the Simpsons that ignited my love of sunspheres... so I have no answer for you.
A glance through allmusic shows that virtually every prominent jazz or soul artist has performed a rendition... I wonder if they had a battle royale, whose version would come out on top?
Posted by kam | October 29, 2006 8:13 PM
Posted on October 29, 2006 20:13
Whose version? Koala's.
I've had the pleasure of seeing him do this live on 2 seperate occassions - V Fest and last year at the Horseshoe with his mother, for whom he created this version, in attendance.
I can't tell you why the song is great, I'm not even sure it is, but the fact that potentially the greatest DJ in the world today would figure out a way to juggle beats and syncopate vocals for a song of this nature because it's his Mom's favourite song is just so touching this version immediately wins out.
Posted by Scott Arnold | October 31, 2006 7:55 AM
Posted on October 31, 2006 07:55
Me too! It makes me want to cry, though I don't really know why. Weird. Glad I'm not the only one.
It's not as bad as "The Rainbow Connection" (which I can't listen to without totally losing my shit), but it's up there :)
Posted by S Wolf | November 1, 2006 10:33 AM
Posted on November 1, 2006 10:33
Yeah, I think backdrop-wise, Koala's wins out. Emotional toll-taking wise? Morrissey all the way. Nine effing minutes is a lot, my huckleberry friends. (See what I did there?)
As for romanticism, isn't the other drifter the river itself? 'Cuz the lyrics say "moon river and me". Hmm.
Posted by Kevin | November 1, 2006 9:42 PM
Posted on November 1, 2006 21:42
Especially witty, seeing as Morrissey omits the huckleberry from his version. Too tart.
Me? I just dust'em with confectioner's sugar.
Also: second on "Rainbow Connection".
Posted by kam | November 1, 2006 10:34 PM
Posted on November 1, 2006 22:34