Thoroughly Modern Millie (song)
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| "Thoroughly Modern Millie" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) 7-inch US single picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Julie Andrews | ||||
| from the album Thoroughly Modern Millie | ||||
| B-side | "Jimmy" | |||
| Released | 1967 | |||
| Genre | Musical, show tune | |||
| Length | 2:30 | |||
| Label | Decca | |||
| Songwriters | Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen | |||
| Julie Andrews singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is a song composed by Sammy Cahn (lyrics) and Jimmy Van Heusen (music) for the 1967 musical film of the same name, a faux-1920s musical comedy directed by George Roy Hill and produced by Ross Hunter. The film starred Julie Andrews, Carol Channing, and Mary Tyler Moore, blending original compositions with period-appropriate standards.[1]
The song was performed by Julie Andrews, who starred in the film as the titular character. Released as a single by Decca Records, it features "Jimmy" as the B-side.[2] The song is an upbeat, jazzy number that mirrors the film's lighthearted tone. At the same time the lyrics playfully depict the protagonist's embrace of modernity.[3] In 1996, the song, along with the instrumental track "Prelude", was included in Andrews' Rhino compilation album The Best of Julie Andrews: Thoroughly Modern Julie.[4]
Cash Box described the track as a "bright, up-tempo, bouncy, light-hearted romp" and its b-side as a "smooth, easy-going romancer".[5] Record World selected the song as a "Single Pick of the Week", describing it as a "pristine perkiness",[6] and writing that it "should click with the masses".[7] Cast Album Reviews called the song "admittedly catchy.[8]
Accolades
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the 25th Golden Globe Awards (1967). The other nominees in the category were: "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot (performed by Richard Harris, music by Frederick Loewe, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner), which won the award; "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Dolittle (performed by Rex Harrison, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse); "Circles in the Water (Des ronds dans l'eau)" from Live for Life (Vivre pour vivre) (music by Francis Lai, lyrics by Norman Gimbel); and "Please Don't Gamble with Love" from Ski Fever (music by Jerry Styner, lyrics by Guy Hemric).[9]
The film's title song was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards (1967). The other nominees were: "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Dolittle, which won the Oscar; "The Eyes of Love" from Banning (music by Quincy Jones, lyrics by Bob Russell); "The Look of Love" from Casino Royale (music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David); and "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book (music and lyrics by Terry Gilkyson).[10]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 25th Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Song | Nominated | |
| 1968 | 40th Academy Awards | Best Original Song | Nominated | |