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Monday, February 17, 2014

"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross

#1 Alert
Gold Record Alert!
Oscar Alert!
Song#:  0717
Date:  08/15/1981
Debut:  71
Peak:  1 (3 weeks)
Weeks:  24
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  After his self-titled debut album swept the Grammys, Cross co-penned this chart topper that was featured in the hit film "Arthur" starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. It would be Cross' second #1 and it would end up being his biggest hit. In addition to winning the Golden Globe for Best Original Song from a film, it would win the Oscar as well. The tune would grab Grammy nominations for Song and Record of the Year and also for Best Pop Male Vocalist, but it was shut out of all three categories.

ReduxReview:  Who didn't love the movie "Arthur?" I think I saw it at least twice at the theater. It was a wonderful comedy and this song fit it perfectly. The only unfortunate thing is that Mr. Mumbles (Christopher Cross) does his usual slurring of words and there are parts of the song where you have difficulty figuring out the lyrics. If he was fronting a rock band, I probably wouldn't have an issue. But when you are singing a lush pop tune like this, you gotta enunciate. His vocals just always frustrate me. Otherwise, great tune.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Cross co-wrote this song with Burt Bacharach and Carol Bayer Sager. However, entertainer/songwriter Peter Allen got credit as well. It seems he and Bayer Sager had been working up a song that contained the line "when you get caught between the moon and New York City." Bayer Sager thought the line would be perfect for "Arthur's Theme" and got Allen's permission to use the phrase. That single line got him a co-writing credit and along with it the associated royalties, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar.

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