Richard Rodgers - Wider Influence

Wider Influence

• The Internet Movie Database lists 276 film and TV soundtracks using songs by Rodgers, as well as 46 films and TV events that credit him as the composer.
• In 1960, the saxophonist John Coltrane recorded a jazz version of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music whose rich modal improvisations proved germane. The tune became a regular part of his repertoire.
• The entry "You'll Never Walk Alone" (from Carousel) discusses in detail the many cover versions of this song, and its extraordinary popularity with professional soccer teams and their fans.
• Jerry Lewis ended his Labor Day telethon by singing "You'll Never Walk Alone".
• "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" from Oklahoma! is sometimes mistaken for a traditional folk song.
• "Edelweiss", "Ländler" (Rodgers' adaption of a traditional Austrian folk dance tune), and "Do-Re-Mi", all from The Sound of Music, frequently go unrecognized as Rodgers' tunes.
• "Happy Talk" is covered by Daniel Johnston and Jad Fair. Captain Sensible did a jaunty rendition in the 1980s, complete with burlesque organ. The British rapper Dizzee Rascal uses the chorus of this song.
• Several professional awards in musical theater are named for Rodgers.