NRR Project: ‘When You
Wish Upon a Star’
Music by Leigh
Harline; lyrics by Ned Washington
Recorded by Ciff
‘Ukulele Ike’ Edwards and the Disney Studio Chorus
Recorded 1938
3:15
Not much to say about this one. Read James M. Bohn’s excellent essay here, which outlines the song’s history and analyzes its components.
It’s a sentimental ballad, from the animated Disney feature Pinocchio (1940). It’s sung by the character of Jiminy Cricket, who serves as the puppet-boy’s conscience. The insect is voiced by Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, by that time a well-loved vaudeville tenor who accompanied himself, of course, on the ukulele.
It won the Oscar for best song, and has become the theme song of the Disney corporation. It asserts that wishing can make dreams come true. If you are sentimental, this song is right up your alley. If not . . . then it is tolerable.
The National Recording Registry Project tracks one writer’s expedition through all the recordings in the National Recording Registry in chronological order. Nest time: Benny Goodman’s Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert.
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