| "Thoroughly Modern Millie" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 7-inch US single picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Julie Andrews | ||||
| from the album Thoroughly Modern Millie (soundtrack) | ||||
| B-side | "Jimmy" | |||
| Released | 1967 | |||
| Genre | Musical, show tune | |||
| Length | 2:30 | |||
| Label | Decca | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen | |||
| Julie Andrews singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is a song composed by Sammy Cahn (lyrics) and Jimmy Van Heusen (music) for the 1967 musical film of the same name. The song was performed by Julie Andrews, who starred in the film as the titular character. Released as a single by Decca Records, it features "Jimmy" as the B-side.[1] The song reflects the film's 1920s-inspired aesthetic and serves as its title track. The single was released to promote the film and its soundtrack album, though the album primarily featured existing period songs rather than original material.[2]
The song was written specifically for the film Thoroughly Modern Millie, a faux-1920s musical comedy directed by George Roy Hill and produced by Ross Hunter. The film starred Julie Andrews, Carol Channing, and Mary Tyler Moore, blending original compositions with period-appropriate standards.[3] Cahn and Van Heusen, renowned for their collaborations with Frank Sinatra, crafted the title track to evoke the spirit of 1920s jazz-age numbers like "Anything Goes".[2]
According to William Ruhlmann from AllMusic, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" is an upbeat, jazzy number that mirrors the film's lighthearted tone. At the same time the lyrics playfully depict the protagonist's embrace of modernity, enhanced by Andrews' signature crisp enunciation and vibrant delivery. According to the critic the B-side, "Jimmy", is a smoother, romantic ballad, that providing contrast to the A-side's exuberance.[2] In 1996, the song, along with the instrumental track "Prelude", was included in Andrews' Rhino compilation album The Best of Julie Andrews: Thoroughly Modern Julie.[4]
Critical reception
[edit]The release of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" as a single garnered positive attention from music critics, who highlighted its commercial appeal and Julie Andrews' distinctive performance. Cash Box named it a "Pick of the Week", praising the track's upbeat, lighthearted energy and Andrews' ability to bridge pop and middle-of-the-road audiences. The publication noted that the A-side's playful, jazz-infused style contrasted effectively with the B-side, "Jimmy", which offered a smoother, more romantic tone.[5]
The Record World magazine echoed this enthusiasm, selecting the song as a "Single Pick of the Week" and later awarding it a "Four Star" rating. Critics there emphasized its "pristine perkiness" and infectious, jingle-like quality, suggesting it would resonate widely due to its ties to the upcoming film. Further reinforcing its reception, Record World described the single as a "darling title ditty," predicting its success with mainstream audiences. The combination of Andrews' polished vocal delivery and the song’s nostalgic 1920s flair was seen as a key strength, aligning with the film's retro aesthetic. While neither review delved deeply into musical analysis, both agreed on the track's immediate charm and marketability, framing it as a standout piece of promotion for the movie.[6][7]
In his review of the film's soundtrack for Cast Album Reviews, David Barbour awarded just one out of five stars, dismissing it as a "bizarre camp exercise" - yet made sure to highlight that the admittedly catchy title track and the ballad "Jimmy" (which served as the single's B-side) stood as rare noteworthy moments amidst an album full of questionable choices.[8]
Accolades
[edit]"Thoroughly Modern Millie" was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the 25th Golden Globe Awards (1967). The other nominees in the category were: "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot (performed by Richard Harris, music by Frederick Loewe, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner), which won the award; "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Dolittle (performed by Rex Harrison, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse); "Circles in the Water (Des ronds dans l'eau)" from Live for Life (Vivre pour vivre) (music by Francis Lai, lyrics by Norman Gimbel); and "Please Don't Gamble with Love" from Ski Fever (music by Jerry Styner, lyrics by Guy Hemric).[9]
The film's title song was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards (1967). The other nominees were: "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Dolittle, which won the Oscar; "The Eyes of Love" from Banning (music by Quincy Jones, lyrics by Bob Russell); "The Look of Love" from Casino Royale (music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David); and "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book (music and lyrics by Terry Gilkyson).[10]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 25th Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Song | Nominated | |
| 1968 | 40th Academy Awards | Best Original Song | Nominated |
Commercial performance
[edit]On March 25, 1967, the single made its first appearance on the Billboard's Easy Listening chart—now known as the Adult Contemporary chart—a listing that tracks the performance of softer, more radio-friendly pop songs in the United States.[11] The song eventually reached its peak position at number 3 on April 22.[12] It remained on the chart for a total of 12 weeks, sustained airplay and listener interest over a three-month period.[11]
Additionally, it peaked at number 5 on the Record World Top Non-Rock chart.[13]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1967) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US (Billboard Easy Listening)[12] | 3 |
| US (Record World Top Non-Rock)[13] | 5 |
References
[edit]- ^ Thoroughly Modern Millie (Media notes). United States: Decca Records. 1967. 32162.
- ^ a b c Ruhlmann, William. "Thoroughly Modern Millie - Original Soundtrack... | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ Stirling 2007, p. 291-292
- ^ McDonald, Steven. "The Best of Julie Andrews: Thoroughly Modern Julie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "Record Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XXVIII, no. 33. 4 April 1967. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Single picks of the week" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 21, no. 1030. 4 March 1967. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Singles reviews" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 21, no. 1030. 4 March 1967. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ Barbour, David (28 August 2015). "Thoroughly Modern Millie". Cast Album Reviews. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b "25th Golden Globes Awards (1968) - Movies from 1967". FilmAffinity. Archived from the original on 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b "The 40th Academy Awards – 1968". Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ a b Whitburn 1993, p. 17
- ^ a b "Billboard Top 40: Easy Listening". Billboard. Vol. 79, no. 16. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 22 April 1967. p. 16. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Record World's Top Non-Rock" (PDF). Record World. 22 April 1967. p. 39. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
Bibliography
[edit]- Stirling, Richard (2007). Julie Andrews: An Intimate Biography. London: Piatkus Books. ISBN 978-0-312-38025-0.
- Whitburn, Joel (1993). Joel Whitburn's Top Adult Contemporary 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-89820-099-7.