By the Light of the Silvery Moon (song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "By The Light of the Silvery Moon" |
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Sheet music cover, 1909
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| Song | |
| Published | 1909 by Jerome H. Remick & Co. |
| Composer(s) | Gus Edwards |
| Lyricist(s) | Edward Madden |
"By The Light of the Silvery Moon" is a very old and famous song. It was written a long time ago in 1909. Gus Edwards wrote the music, and Edward Madden wrote the words. This song was first sung on stage by Lillian Lorraine in a big show called the Ziegfeld Follies. It was one of many popular songs about the moon from that time.
Many famous singers recorded this song early on, like Billy Murray and Ada Jones. The song has also been used in many TV shows and movies. A film with the same name, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, came out in 1953. It starred the famous actress and singer Doris Day.
About the Song
This song became popular in 1909. It was part of a group of songs from that time that often talked about the moon. The song was also sung in a Broadway show called Miss Innocence.
When the song was first recorded, it was in a musical key called C major. Later, singers like Doris Day sang it in E major. Jimmy Bowen sang it in A major.
Fun Facts and Parodies
Sometimes, people make fun versions of popular songs. This is called a parody. In 1923, Billy Murray recorded a song called Stand Up and Sing for Your Father an Old Time Tune. This song made fun of By the Light of the Silvery Moon. It was about an old man who thought new songs about the moon were silly.
Here's a part of the parody song:
Oh, I'm sick of all these ditties about "moon" and "spoon" and "June"
So, will you stand up, and sing for your father, an old time tune!
Famous Recordings
Many artists have recorded "By The Light of the Silvery Moon" over the years. Here are some of the well-known versions:
- The Peerless Quartet recorded it in 1909.
- Ada Jones released her version in 1910.
- Billy Murray and the Haydn Quartet recorded it in 1910.
- Bing Crosby recorded his version in 1942.
- Fats Waller and His Rhythm recorded it in 1942.
- Doris Day sang it for her album By the Light of the Silvery Moon in 1953.
- Jackie Wilson released it as a single in 1957.
- Etta James also released it as a single in 1957.
- Little Richard recorded his version in 1959, which was popular in the UK.
- Ray Charles included it on his album Ray's Moods in 1966.
- Julie Andrews sang it for her album The World of Julie Andrews in 1973.
In Movies and TV Shows
This song has appeared in many movies and TV shows. Here are some examples:
- 1933: Turn Back the Clock – The Three Stooges sing the song in an early appearance.
- 1939: Idiot's Delight – Clark Gable sings parts of the song.
- 1941: Babes on Broadway – performed by Ray McDonald.
- 1941: Birth of the Blues – sung by Bing Crosby.
- 1943: Hello, Frisco, Hello – sung by Alice Faye.
- 1946: The Jolson Story – a young Al Jolson is shown singing the song.
- 1950: Two Weeks with Love – performed by Jane Powell and Ricardo Montalbán.
- 1953: By the Light of the Silvery Moon – sung by Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, and others throughout the movie.
- 1968: The Producers – Max and Leo sing the song from a jukebox.
- 1988: 18 Again! – performed by George Burns, Red Buttons, and Charlie Schlatter.
- 1988: The Good, the Bad, and Huckleberry Hound – Huckleberry Hound sings this song.
- 2003: The Haunted Mansion – the song is briefly featured.
- 2010: Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster – Shaggy Rogers sings this song to Velma Dinkley.
