= ME, NATALIE =

Some Thoughts on Mancini Music:

We have always had isolated movie themes that became hits, but there is no composer in Hollywood who has had so many entire scores and albums that sold like single records. Not only does Henry Mancini deserve his position as the most influential composer in popular music today, but he has paved the way for so many of us that we owe him a debt of gratitude we can very probably never repay. He has shown us that while advancing the action of a film and helping to set the mood, movie music can and should stand on its own, away from the picture.

I've known Hank now for a long time (since I was an actor and he was a staff composer-arranger at Universal Pictures) and I can't remember ever hearing a Mancini score I didn't like. Everybody's favorite is probably Breakfast At Tiffany's. My favorites are Two For The Road and this score from Me, Natalie. I feel very lucky to have been reunited with Hank to write an sing the lyrics in the film.

On accepting an Academy Award some years ago, one Hollywood composer thanked Beethoven, Bach and Brahms for the honor. Quite right. Henry Mancini has only to thank his mother and father. I thank them too.