Thursday's Top Tune Throwback: "Whatever Will Be, Will Be"

Doris Day was one of the greatest actresses of all time, but similar to Dean Martin, she not only could act, she also possessed a fabulous voice. The classic hit “Que Sera Sera” (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) became Doris’ signature song as it was the theme song for “The Doris Day Show” (1968-73).
“Que Sera Sera” also won The Academy Award for “Best Original Song” and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The song was first published in 1956, written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans was introduced in Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much.” Starring Jimmy Stewart and Doris, this film was one of Hitchcock’s very best and is certainly worthy of another viewing during the holidays.
Doris Day’s recording of the hit song for Columbia records reached No. 2 on Billboard and the top spot on the UK Singles Chart.
Livingston and Evans had some knowledge of Spanish and early in their careers, they worked as musicians on cruise ships in the Caribbean and South America. Composer Livingston had seen the 1954 Hollywood film, “The Barefoot Contessa,” in which a fictional Italian family had the motto: “Che Sara Sara” carved in stone at their ancestral mansion. He immediately wrote it down as a possible song title. Some time following, he and lyricist Evans gave it a Spanish spelling primarily due to the fact that there are so many Spanish- speaking people in the world.
One movie classic influenced by another was the genesis of the one greatest motion picture hit songs ever. And sung by one of the most beautiful, talented personalities of all time in American entertainment history. Doris Day and “Que Sera Sera”…..Whatever Will Be, Will Be!

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
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