Whistling Away the Dark

The song was featured in Record World's "Single Reviews: Four Star Picks" section. The publication highlighted their collaboration as an element of added appeal. The review described the track as having a "sweet sound".^[6] In its review of the Darling Lili soundtrack, Cashbox highlighted "Whistling Away the Dark" as a standout track. The song was described as a "pretty number" that recalls the earlier Mancini-Mercer waltz "Charade". The review noted that both Julie Andrews and Henry Mancini delivered the material effectively, and concluded with the expectation that the song "should be big".^[7]

In The Invisible Art of Film Music: A Comprehensive History, Laurence E. MacDonald praises Julie Andrews' rendition as a standout moment in both her career and Henry Mancini's compositions. He describes her performance as "beguiling", particularly for its emphasis on the lower register of her voice—a rare showcase at the time. MacDonald highlights the song's "wonderfully melancholy" tone and its Oscar-nominated quality, noting that it remains one of Mancini's finest works, enhanced by Johnny Mercer's lyrics. While he critiques the film's spy plot for weighing it down, he emphasizes how the music, especially this piece, elevates the production, calling it a brilliant collaboration between Andrews, Mancini, and Mercer.^[8]

In Henry Mancini: Reinventing Film Music, John Caps analyzes "Whistling Away the Dark" as a hauntingly beautiful waltz that stands out for its emotional depth and cinematic presentation. He highlights its melancholic E-minor melody—sadder than Mancini's "Charade"—and Johnny Mercer's poignant lyrics, which reflect heartache and longing. Caps also praises Blake Edwards' direction, particularly the intimate, single-take performance by Julie Andrews, where dreamy lighting and her solitary waltz amplify the song's wistful tone. According to the author, the abrupt shift from the song's tender ending to wartime chaos underscores its bittersweet impact, making it a defining moment in the film.^[9]

At the 28th Golden Globe Awards in 1971, "Whistling Away the Dark" won the award for Best Original Song – Motion Picture. The other nominees included "Ballad of Little Fauss and Big Halsey" from Little Fauss and Big Halsy, composed by Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins; "Till Love Touches Your Life" from Madron, by Shirley Bassey, Riz Ortolani and Arthur Hamilton; "Pieces of Dreams" from the film of the same name, by Johnny Mathis, Marvin Hamlisch, Alan and Marilyn Bergman; and "Thank You Very Much" from Scrooge, written by James Head and Leslie Bricusse.^[10]

In addition, it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song – Original for the Picture at the 43rd Oscars, held in 1971. The winning song that year was "For All We Know" from Lovers and Other Strangers, composed by Fred Karlin with lyrics by Jimmy Griffin and Robb Royer. Other nominees included "Till Love Touches Your Life" from Madron (music by Riz Ortolani, lyrics by Arthur Hamilton), "Pieces of Dreams" from the film of the same name (music by Michel Legrand, lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman), and "Thank You Very Much" from Scrooge (music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse).^[11]