Genre Show tune Composer(s) Jimmy Van Heusen | Writer(s) Sammy Cahn Language English | |
Released 1959 (1959) (single);
1961 (album version) | ||
"High Hopes" is a popular song first popularized by Frank Sinatra, with music written by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was introduced by Sinatra and child actor Eddie Hodges in the 1959 film A Hole in the Head, nominated for a Grammy and won an Oscar for Best Original Song at the 32nd Academy Awards.
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Description
The song describes two scenarios where animals do seemingly impossible acts. First, an ant moves a rubber tree plant by itself, then a ram single-handedly destroys a "billion kilowatt dam." The desires of these animals are described as "pie in the sky," although the song implies they ultimately accomplish them. The song finishes comparing troubles and hardships and sorrows to balloons; the problem has gone away when the balloon is popped.
Frank Sinatra
The original version of "High Hopes" was sung by Frank Sinatra and child actor Eddie Hodges in the 1959 film, "A Hole In The Head". Sinatra recorded the song later in 1959 in a hit version, featuring a children's chorus and slight changes to some of the lyrics, which was included in his 1961 album, All the Way. The tune reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track peaked at #6 in the UK Singles Chart. Sinatra also recorded a version of the tune with different lyrics which was used as the theme song for the 1960 Presidential Campaign of John Kennedy.
Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. performed the song with a chorus of children at the 32nd Academy Awards ceremony, where it won the award for Best Original Song.
Doris Day
Doris Day recorded a fusion jazz version of the song for her 1964 album, With a Smile and a Song (but skipping the line about the back to the wall and also adding a line warning the listener to "keep those high, apple pie in the sky hopes" just like the original "A Hole In The Head" version and the old televised version instead of a musical interlude before the lyrics about the problem compared to a toy balloon at the end). Her version was used in the 1998 film Antz.
Harry Kalas
The song also was popularized in Philadelphia by Phillies play-by-play announcer Harry Kalas, who made the song his personal anthem. Kalas sang "High Hopes" after the Phillies won the 1993 National League Championship, and again after the 2008 World Series. Beginning after his death, after each home Phillies win, the home fans sing the song while the lyrics and a video of Kalas are played on the scoreboard above Harry the K's restaurant in left field.
Sammy Cahn
Taking up the sentiments expressed in the song, the Boston-based Joslin Diabetes Center "High Hopes Fund" was established in 1993 by the estate of Sammy Cahn. The former Joslin patient and songwriter's goal was to provide hope and encouragement to kids with diabetes while supporting research into the causes of the disease.
Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer performed the song (as Principal Skinner) in the The Simpsons episode, "Rosebud" in 1993.
Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore recorded the song with a chorus of children in 1960.
Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby recorded the song for his 1968 album Thoroughly Modern Bing.
Rick Logan
Rick Logan recorded the song with a women's chorus by Donna Davidson, Luana Jackman, Susie Stevens-Logan and Bobbi Page for A Goofy Movie in 1995.
Michael Dees
Michael Dees performed a customized version of the song with Gunnar Madsen, Warren Wiebe and Angus Macfadyen at a 1960 John Kennedy election campaign fundraiser during a scene in The Rat Pack in 1998.