(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls

Dionne Warwick

About (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls

"(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls" is a 1967 song by André and Dory Previn, composed for the film version of the Jacqueline Susann novel Valley of the Dolls, and recorded by Dionne Warwick. Actress Barbara Parkins, who starred in the motion picture, suggested that Warwick be considered to sing the film's theme song. The song was to be given to Judy Garland, who had been fired from the film. Warwick performed the song, and when the film became a success in the early weeks of 1968, her single of the film theme became a million-seller, peaking at #2 for four weeks on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts in early 1968, #2 on the Cash Box Top 100 and #1 on the Record World chart. The song was the B-side of another million selling tune composed for Warwick by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, "I Say a Little Prayer," which hit the Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 in November 1967. The single would become one of the biggest double-sided hits of the rock era. Warwick re-recorded a Pat Williams-arranged and Burt Bacharach-produced version of the theme at A&R Studios in New York because contractual restrictions from her home label, Scepter Records, would not allow her version from the film to be included in the 20th Century-Fox soundtrack album. The re-recorded version became a million-seller. The RIAA-certified Gold Scepter LP that contained the hit version of the song, Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls, peaked at number six on the Billboard Top 10 Albums chart, and would remain on the chart for over a year. 


Year:
1968
3:35
2,257 
#5

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Gotta get off, gonna get Have to get off from this ride
Gotta get hold, gonna get Need to get hold of my pride
When did I get, where did I
How was I caught in this game
When will I know, where will I
How will I think of my name

When did I stop feeling sure, feeling safe
And start wondering why, wondering why
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
What's in back of the sky, why do we cry

Gotta get off, gonna get Out of this merry-go-round
Gotta get off, gonna get Need to get on where I'm bound
When did I get, where did I Why am I lost as a lamb
When will I know, where will I How will I learn who I am
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
Tell me, when will I know, how will I know
When will I know why?

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Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick (born Marie Dionne Warrick; December 12, 1940) is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health. more »

6 fans

Written by: Andre G. Previn, Dory Previn

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Background History
"(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls" is a song performed by Dionne Warwick. It was originally written for the 1967 film 'Valley of the Dolls' and was meant to be sung by the film's character, aspiring singer Neely O'Hara.
Song Creation
The song was written by Andre and Dory Previn, and when Judy Garland was fired from the film, Warwick was brought in to record the song.
Chart Appearance
The song reached No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968, making it one of Warwick's biggest hit songs.
Album Title
The song is also the title track of Warwick's album, which was released in 1968.
Album Performance
The album on which the song appears, also titled 'Valley of the Dolls', was Warwick's biggest selling album, reaching #6 on the Billboard album chart in 1968.
Song Meaning
The term 'Valley of the Dolls' is a euphemism for drug addiction, reflecting the struggles faced by the characters in the film and novel of the same name.
Unintentional Inclusion
Ironically, Dionne Warwick was not initially intended to sing this song. She discovered the song during a tour of a studio lot and decided to put a vocal on the track.
Inspirational Work
The original novel 'Valley of the Dolls' written by Jacqueline Susann, and the subsequent film, had a significant impact on popular culture and inspired other works, including the song.
Awards
Despite being such a commercial success, the song did not win any awards. It was, however, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1968, but lost to "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Dolittle.
Legacy
Over the years, a number of artists have performed covers of the song, keeping its legacy alive. It remains one of Dionne Warwick's most popular and cherished songs.

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    (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1968

    Billboard #2


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