![]() | September SongWalter Huston |
Writer(s): Kurt Weill (music), Maxwell Anderson (words) (see lyrics here) First Charted: January 28, 1939 Peak: 12 PM (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.78 video, -- streaming |
Awards:Click on award for more details. |
About the Song:Kurt Weill (best known for “Mack the Knife”) and Maxwell Anderson wrote “September Song” for the Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday. It was one of the earliest musicals “based on a historical subject that commented on contemporary issues. The theme of democracy versus totalitarianism was presented I the reign of Governor Peter Stuyvesant in New Amsterdam in 1647.” TY2 Walter Huston played Stuyvesant and spoke/sang “September Song” in the show. He “confesses his fears of growing old in this tender ballad sung to the young girl he intends to marry.” TY2 He played the part so convincingly, audiences were rooting for the wrong side. TY2 Huston also had a chart version with the song, reaching #12. It was his only chart entry. While he may not have had much of a career as a recording artist, Huston had done vaudeville as a younger man and later became known as a great character actor on Broadway and in films, winning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. He was the father of film director John Huston. PM The song charted four more times – Frank Sinatra (#8, 1946), Dardanelle Trio (#11, 1946), Stan Kenton (#17, 1951), and Liberace (#27, 1952). Roy Clark, Jimmy Durante, Stan Kenton, Willie Nelson, and Lou Reed have also recorded the song. It was one of only 16 named to ASCAP’s “All-Time Hit Parade.” TY2 A film version of Knickerbocker Holiday was released in 1944 with Charles Coburn playing Stuyvesant and performing “September Song.” Maurice Chevalier sang it in the movie musical Pepe (1960). Resources:
Related Links:First posted 5/15/2025. |