Cruising Down the River

Russ Morgan & His Orchestra, Russ Morgan

About Cruising Down the River

"Cruising Down the River" is a 1946 popular recording song. Cruising Down the River became the winner of a public songwriting competition held in the UK. Words and music were written in 1945 by two middle-aged women named Eily Beadell and Nell Tollerton. One of the original early recordings of this song issued in the UK in January 1946 on the Columbia record label (FB 3180), was by Lou Preager and his Orchestra, with vocal by Paul Rich. This was immensely popular on radio, with record and sheet music sales making it one of the biggest hits of 1946 in the United Kingdom. The recording by Russ Morgan was released by Decca Records as catalog number 24568. It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on February 18, 1949, and lasted 22 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1. The song became one of the biggest hits of his career, as well as one of his signature songs. The recording was actually a two-sided hit, as the flip side, "Sunflower," also reached #10 on the chart. The recording by Blue Barron was released by MGM Records as catalog number 10346. It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on January 21, 1949, and lasted 19 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1. The recording by Jack Smith was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 15372. It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on February 25, 1949, and lasted 11 weeks on the chart, peaking at #14. The recording by Primo Scala and the Keynotes was released by London Records as catalog number 356. It reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on March 4, 1949, at #27, its only week on the chart. The recording by Frankie Carle was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 38411. It reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on April 22, 1949, at #28, its only week on the chart. It has been redone numerous times by various artists, including Connie Francis on her 1959 album My Thanks to You.  


Year:
1972
2:33
3,752 
#5

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Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon
With one you love, the sun above waiting for the moon
The old accordion playing a sentimental tune
Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon
The birds above all sing of love, a gentle sweet refrain
The winds around all make a sound like softly falling rain
Just two of us together, we'll plan a honeymoon
Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon

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Russ Morgan

Russ Morgan (April 29, 1904 – August 7, 1969) was a big band orchestra leader and musical arranger in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. In 1944 he was one of the composers of "You're Nobody til Somebody Loves You" along with Larry Stock and James Cavanaugh. Morgan was the first to record the song. more »

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Written by: EILY BEADELL, NELLIE TOLLERTON

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Cruising Down the River" was originally composed for a British songwriting competition in 1945. It was written by two regular employees - Eily Beadell and Nell Tollerton.
Popularization
The song was first popularized when it won the British songwriting contest and was subsequently covered by several artists, the most successful version being by Dick Haymes and Russ Morgan.
Chart Success
Dick Haymes and Russ Morgan's rendition of "Cruising Down the River" topped the chart of Your Hit Parade in the United States in 1949.
Film Connection
The popularity of the song led to the creation of a 1953 British comedy film with the same name, following the story of a riverboat owner who insists on singing the song.
Multiple Covers
The song has been covered by many artists over the years including Blue Barron, Connie Francis, and Frankie Laine.
Music Style
"Cruising Down the River'' is best described as traditional pop music, popular during the 1940s and 1950s.
The Duo
While Russ Morgan was well-known for his work as a bandleader and arranger, Dick Haymes was a popular singer in the 1940s and 1950s, famed for his smooth baritone voice.
Record Label
The cover of "Cruising Down the River" by Dick Haymes and Russ Morgan was released under the Decca record label.
Significance
The song "Cruising Down the River" was one of the hits that helped Dick Haymes consolidate his fame in the United States during the post-World War II years.
Lyrics
The lyrics of "Cruising Down the River" evoke a peaceful journey down a river on a Sunday afternoon, which symbolized post-war optimism and tranquility.

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