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Julie Andrews / Henry Mancini – Perform Music from the Film Score Darling Lili

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Julie Andrews / Henry Mancini – Perform Music from the Film Score Darling Lili
Studio album by
Julie Andrews, Henry Mancini
Released1969
GenrePop
LabelRCA Victor
Julie Andrews chronology
Star!
(1968) 		Darling Lili
(1969) 		Julie and Carol at Lincoln Center
(1971)
Singles from Julie Andrews / Henry Mancini – Perform Music from the Film Score Darling Lili
  1. "Whistling Away the Dark"
    Released: 1970

Julie Andrews / Henry Mancini – Perform Music from the Film Score Darling Lili (later retitled simply as Darling Lili (Music from the Film Score))[1][2] is a studio album featuring songs performed by Julie Andrews and composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.[3] Released in 1969 by RCA Victor, the album includes songs from the Blake Edwards film Darling Lili. Despite its connection to the movie, it is not a traditional soundtrack but a separate studio recording of the film's music.[4] The film Darling Lili, co-starring Rock Hudson, was an ambitious but troubled production. A hybrid of wartime melodrama and musical comedy, its lengthy production strained the long-standing partnership between Edwards and Mancini. Paramount Pictures later took control of the final edit, removing Edwards from the process—an experience that would inspire his later Hollywood satire S.O.B. (1981).[5]

The album contains compositions reflective of the World War I era, with Andrews' vocals and Mancini's orchestrations capturing the period's musical essence. The project marked a continuation of Mancini's collaboration with Edwards and featured contributions from renowned lyricist Johnny Mercer.[6] RCA Records had significant commercial expectations for the album, banking on Julie Andrews' star power following the historic success of The Sound of Music soundtrack, which had sold over 12 million copies worldwide at the time. The label viewed the collaboration between Andrews, Mancini, and Mercer as a potential hit, drawing comparisons to Mancini's earlier film music successes.[7] Mancini himself prioritized the project, canceling $150,000 worth of concert engagements—including a scheduled performance at the Mormon Tabernacle—to dedicate himself entirely to composing the score.[6]

The song "Whistling Away the Dark" was released as a single and received a favorable review from Record World magazine.[8] In addition, it was nominated for Best Song – Original for the Picture at the 43rd Academy Awards[9][10] and won the Best Original Song – Motion Picture at the 28th Golden Globe Awards.[11] The movie score was nominated for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special at hte 13th Annual Grammy Awards.[12]

Expanded CD release

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In 2024, an expanded edition of the album was released by Quartet Records, including orchestral demos and additional material. This edition included the original RCA album remastered, previously unreleased demos performed by Johnny Mercer, and Mancini’s complete instrumental underscore. The additional material provided deeper insight into the songwriting process, including two cut songs and alternate instrumental arrangements.[5]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
BillboardFavorable[13]
Cash BoxFavorable[14]

The album received favorablereviews upon release. Billboard was similarly positive, calling it a "winning album" and commending Andrews' interpretation of tracks such as "I'll Give You Three Guesses" and "Smile Away Each Rainy Day". The review emphasized Mancini's orchestrations and suggested that the album had commercial potential.[13]

Cash Box described it as appropriately reflective of the World War I period, praising songs like "Whistling Away the Dark" and noting its sentimental quality. The review highlighted Andrews and Mancini's ability to present the material effectively and anticipated strong sales.[14]

Commercial performance

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Julie Andrews / Henry Mancini – Perform Music from the Film Score Darling Lili debuted on the Billboard 200 chart on August 1, 1970, at position #197.[15] The album saw a modest rise, reaching its peak at #113 on August 8, 1970.[16] Despite not breaking into the top 100, it managed to stay on the chart for a total of seven weeks.[17][18]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Overture"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerChorus4:02
2."Whistling Away The Dark"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerJulie Andrews3:43
3."The Little Birds (Les P'tits Oiseaux)"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerLe Lycée Francais De Los Angeles Children's Choir2:55
4."The Girl In No Man's Land"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerChorus, Julie Andrews3:32
5."Gypsy Violin"  3:16
6."I'll Give You Three Guesses"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerChorus, Julie Andrews3:32
7."Darling Lili"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerChorus2:47
8."Smile Away Each Rainy Day"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerChorus, Julie Andrews2:25
9."The Can-Can Cafe"  2:02
10."I'll Give You Three Guesses"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerChorus, Julie Andrews2:03
11."Skäl (Let's Have Another On Me)"  1:40
12."Your Good-Will Ambassador"Henry Mancini, Johnny MercerChorus2:10
13."Whistling Away The Dark"Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer 3:40

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Julie Andrews / Henry Mancini – Perform Music from the Film Score Darling Lili record.[19]

  • Orchestrated by Henry Mancini and His Orchestra
  • Produced by Joe Reisman
  • Scored by Henry Mancini
  • Written by Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer

Charts

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Weekly chart performance for Star!
Chart (1969) Peak
position
U.S. Top LPs (Billboard)[20] 113
U.S. Top 100 Albums (Cashbox)[21] 70
U.S. 100 Top LP's (Record World)[22] 73

References

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  1. ^ "Darling Lili (Music From the Film Score) de Henry Mancini". Apple Music (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Darling Lili (Music From the Film Score)". Spotify. 14 May 1969. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  3. ^ Arntz & Wilson 1995, p. 231
  4. ^ "Record World pick Hits: Album Reviews" (PDF). Record World. 4 July 1970. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  5. ^ a b Marchese, Joe (16 December 2024). "It Had Better Be Tonight: Quartet Records Celebrates Henry Mancini with "Pink Panther" Premiere Plus "Darling Lili" and More - The Second Disc". The Second Disc. Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Mancini Scoring Films" (PDF). Billboard. 16 December 1969. p. 50. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  7. ^ "RCA Cast LPs, Soundtracks Mirror Times A -Changing" (PDF). Record World. 28 March 1970. p. 44. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Record World. 6 June 1970. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Mancini is named for three Academy Awards nominations". Billboard. Vol. 83, no. 10. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 6 March 1971. p. 4. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  10. ^ "The 43rd Academy Awards (1971) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. 4 October 2014. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "Some turnout, many surprises in Golden Globes 'fun' spectacle". Sarasota Journal. 19 (204): 14-C. 11 February 1971. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Grammy Nominations Are Announced" (PDF). Record World. 6 February 1971. p. 55. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 28. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 11 July 1970. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. 11 July 1970. p. 35. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  15. ^ "Top LP's". Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 31. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1 August 1970. p. 70. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  16. ^ "Top LP's". Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 32. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 8 August 1970. p. 52. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  17. ^ Whitburn 2001, p. 1005
  18. ^ "Soundtrack". Billboard. 28 November 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  19. ^ Julie Andrews, Henry Mancini (1970). Julie Andrews / Henry Mancini – Perform Music from the Film Score Darling Lili (liner notes). RCA Victor. LSPX-1000.
  20. ^ "Chart Beat Bonus". Billboard. 3 August 2001. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  21. ^ "Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Cashbox. 22 August 1970. p. 35. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  22. ^ "100 Top LP's" (PDF). Record World. 29 August 1970. p. 28. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.

Bibliography

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  • Arntz, James; Wilson, Thomas S. (1995). Julie Andrews. Two Prudential Plaza, Chicago. Illinois: Contemporary Books, Inc. ISBN 0-8092-3267-7.
  • Whitburn, Joel (2001). Joel's Whitburns's Top Pop Albums 1955-2001. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. ISBN 0-89820-147-0.
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