Jay Livingston (l) and Ray Evans (r) circa 1985.
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The Mister Ed theme song is arguably the best known work of the great composing duo of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. The two are also responsible for such tunes as Silver Bells, Que Sera Sera, and the Bonanza theme.
Director/producer Arthur Lubin was sold on the song in 1960 and had it recorded in Rome by an opera singer. The results were so terrible, only the music was used to open the first six episodes. Livingston was brought in to sing the lyrics as a stop-gap measure until a professional singer was hired. However, producers were so pleased with Livingston's vocals that they never replaced him. |