Bing Crosby’s original version of “Swinging on a Star,” with its catchy tune and poetic lyrics about moonbeams in a jar, enjoyed an impressive 28-week-run on the Billboard charts in 1944, including nine weeks in the number one position. The song, composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke, earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year as well. In fact, it marked the first time in Academy Award history that the same movie won the Oscar for Best Film and the Oscar for Best Original Song.
“Swinging on a Star” was written for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1944 musical comedy, Going My Way. In the film, Crosby plays a young, free-spirited priest whose unorthodox style and attitude clashes with the strict, buttoned-up attitude of an older, established priest. Going My Way, the highest grossing film of the year, featured five songs sung by Crosby with additional songs performed by a soprano with the Metropolitan Opera and the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir.
According to Hollywood stories, Bing Crosby invited composer and songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen to his home for dinner to talk about an original song for Crosby’s upcoming project, Going My Way. Over dinner, Crosby’s young son, Gary, whined about having to go to school the next day. Crosby told his son, “If you don’t go to school, you might grow up to be a mule.” Everyone chuckled, but the cutesy little rhyme gave Van Heusen an idea.
Jimmy Van Heusen met with his songwriting partner, Johnny Burke a few days later and shared his vision for a new song with him. Van Heusen understood that Crosby’s character in the film was to be a carefree young priest. He envisioned this character interacting with children in the same light-hearted manner in which he conversed with his son. Burke and Van Heusen went to work on penning the song.
“Swinging on a Star”, of course, includes Crosby’s reference to a mule and school, as well as a few other animals like pigs and monkeys, comparing their characteristics to human ones in a clever and memorable way. The song has a message – that it is up to each person to decide to live a good life by focusing on their assets and their best qualities – but it does so in a way that is not religious or preachy. It perfectly showcased the type of person that Crosby’s character was supposed to be.
Going My Way earned ten Academy Awards nominations and won seven of the categories. Thanks to his role in the film, Bing Crosby was named the biggest box-office draw of 1944. In fact, he would hold this honor for the remainder of the decade. As for “Swinging on a Star,” the song is included in AFI’s list, 100 Years…100 Songs, commemorating the biggest hits of Hollywood’s Golden Era.
“Swinging on a Star” has been covered by several artists throughout the years, including Frank Sinatra, Little Eva, Shari Lewis, and Andy Williams. Even actors Bruce Willis and Danny Aiello sang it in their film, Hudson Hawk, in 1991. Bing Crosby often performed the song at his concert appearances and greatest hits recordings.