Swinging on a Star

"Swinging on a Star" is a popular song.

Origins

"Swinging on a Star" was recorded in 1944 by singer Bing Crosby. Andy Williams and his brothers backed up Bing on his 1944 version His song writer, Jimmy Van Heusen, was at Crosby’s house one evening for dinner and to discuss a song for the movie "Going My Way". During the meal, one of the children began complaining about how he didn’t want to go to school the next day. The singer turned to his son and said to him, “If you don’t go to school, you might grow up to be a mule. Do you wanna do that?” Van Heusen thought that this clever rebuke would make a good song for the movie. He pictured Bing, playing a priest, talking to a group of children acting much the same way that his own child acted that night. When he took his idea to his partner, Johnny Burke, Johnny was quick to approve, and they wrote the song.

Recordings

The first recording of "Swinging on a Star" was first recorded in February 1944 with backup vocals by The Williams Brothers. It was also featured in the Little Lulu cartoon, "Bout with a Trout."
In 1956, it was covered by Oscar Peterson on his LP "At the Stratford Shakespearean Festival".
In 1960, it was covered by Mark Murphy on his LP "Hip Parade"
In 1963, it was covered by Big Dee Irwin and Little Eva
In 1963, it was sung by the Muppet Rowlf the Dog (voiced by Jim Henson) and Jimmy Dean on the "Jimmy Dean Show" In 1964, it was covered by Frank Sinatra on his LP "Sinatra Sings Days of Wine and Roses, Moon River, and Other Academy Award Winners".
In 1968, it was covered by Dave van Ronk on his LP "Dave Van Ronk and the Hudson Dusters"
In 1969, Susan and some Muppets sang the song on Sesame Street, episode 10.
In 1975, it was covered by Maureen McGovern on her LP ""
In 1975, it was sung by Julie Andrews on her TV special "Julie Andrews: My Favorite Things".
In 1981, it was covered by Franciscus Henri on his children's album "Sunshine Rainbows and Violins"
In 1990, it was covered by Joanie Bartels on her CD "Sillytime Magic".
Bruce Willis and Danny Aiello also sing the song in the 1991 film Hudson Hawk, because it is 02:53 minutes long. That is the time they need for a robbery. Although in the film they say they need 05:32 for the robbery. (the verses are sung in an incorrect order).
In 1992, it was covered by Michael Feinstein on his CD "Pure Imagination".
In 1993, it was covered by Dave McKenna on his CD "Handful of Stars".
In 1998, it was covered by Tony Bennett on his CD "".
In 1999, it was covered by Ruby Braff on his CD "In The Wee, Small Hours".
In 2000, it was covered by Lori Johnson on her CD "Class Act".
In 2001, it was covered by Wylie and the Wild West on the CD "Paradise".
In 2002, it was covered by Susan Johnson on her CD "Previously Unreleased LivePerformances".

A modified version was used as the theme tune to the sitcom "Out of This World", an American sitcom which aired from 1987-1991.

The song was parodied in a "The Far Side" cartoon, which depicted a man-turned-pig saying to his wife, "Hey, so I made the wrong decision! [referring to the part of the song which says "Or would you rather be a pig"] But I wasn't sure I "wanted" to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar!"

Awards

Academy Award for Best Original Song 1944
Grammy Hall of Fame 2002