The Morning After (Maureen McGovern song)
Encyclopedia
"The Morning After" is a song first released in May 1973. It was the first success for singer Maureen McGovern
and used as the love theme for the film The Poseidon Adventure, which was released late the year before.
songwriters Al Kasha
and Joel Hirschhorn
, who were asked to write the love theme for The Poseidon Adventure in one night. In the end, the finished product was called "Why Must There Be a Morning After?" but changes by the record label
resulted in the song's more optimistic title (as evidenced by the new lyric of "There's got to be a morning after"). In the end titles of the film, it is officially called "The Song from The Poseidon Adventure", though it would become best known by the alternate title, "The Morning After".
The song is performed in the film by the character of Nonnie, played by Carol Lynley
, but is actually sung by a vocal double, Renee Armand. It appears twice, during a warm-up rehearsal and then later during the New Year's Eve party early in the film. The lyrics relate to the themes of the film, as a band of passengers survive the capsizing of the ship SS Poseidon and have to escape the sinking wreck.
When the film became a hit, Russ Regan
, manager of 20th Century Records
, suggested that Maureen McGovern, who had sent him a demonstration tape and was working at the time as a secretary, sing the song for the commercial release. Having the utmost faith in her, he financed the recording
with his own money and contracted her to his company.
The song was eventually a global hit and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song
in 1972.
McGovern's version was the only recording commercially available until 2010 when the complete film score, including the film versions of the songs, was released by La La Land Records.
Maureen McGovern
Maureen Therese McGovern is an American singer and Broadway actress, well known for her premier renditions of the Oscar winning songs "The Morning After" from the 1972 film The Poseidon Adventure, and "We May Never Love Like This Again" from The Towering Inferno in 1974.-Early life:McGovern was...
and used as the love theme for the film The Poseidon Adventure, which was released late the year before.
Beginnings
The song was written in March 1972 by 20th Century Fox20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
songwriters Al Kasha
Al Kasha
Al Kasha is a Brooklyn–born composer, songwriter and arranger, as well as businessman. He is most noted for his years of collaboration with songwriter Joel Hirschhorn...
and Joel Hirschhorn
Joel Hirschhorn
Joel Hirschhorn, , was an American songwriter. During a successful career, he won the Academy Award for Best Song on two occasions...
, who were asked to write the love theme for The Poseidon Adventure in one night. In the end, the finished product was called "Why Must There Be a Morning After?" but changes by the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
resulted in the song's more optimistic title (as evidenced by the new lyric of "There's got to be a morning after"). In the end titles of the film, it is officially called "The Song from The Poseidon Adventure", though it would become best known by the alternate title, "The Morning After".
The song is performed in the film by the character of Nonnie, played by Carol Lynley
Carol Lynley
Carol Lynley is an American actress and former child model.-Life and career:Lynley was born Carole Ann Jones in New York City, the daughter of Frances , a waitress, and Cyril Jones. Her father was Irish and her mother, a native of New England, was of English, Scottish, Welsh, German, and Native...
, but is actually sung by a vocal double, Renee Armand. It appears twice, during a warm-up rehearsal and then later during the New Year's Eve party early in the film. The lyrics relate to the themes of the film, as a band of passengers survive the capsizing of the ship SS Poseidon and have to escape the sinking wreck.
When the film became a hit, Russ Regan
Russ Regan
Russ Regan is a long-time record executive who was President of both UNI Records, and 20th Century Records. Regan also worked at Motown among other companies. He started with Berry Gordy at Motown and promoted many artists including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson...
, manager of 20th Century Records
20th Century Records
20th Century Fox Records, also known as 20th Fox Records and 20th Century Records, was a subsidiary of film studio 20th Century Fox.-History:It began in 1958 as 20th Fox Records. In 1963, 20th Fox Records became 20th Century-Fox Records...
, suggested that Maureen McGovern, who had sent him a demonstration tape and was working at the time as a secretary, sing the song for the commercial release. Having the utmost faith in her, he financed the recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
with his own money and contracted her to his company.
The song was eventually a global hit and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
in 1972.
McGovern's version was the only recording commercially available until 2010 when the complete film score, including the film versions of the songs, was released by La La Land Records.
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1973 (U.S.)
- List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1970s