Caravan

Martin Denny

About Caravan

"Caravan" is an American jazz standard that was composed by Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington and first performed by Ellington in 1936. Irving Mills wrote lyrics, but they are rarely sung. The exotic sound of "Caravan" interested exotica musicians; Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, and Gordon Jenkins all covered it. Woody Allen used the song in two of his films, Alice and Sweet and Lowdown. Steven Soderbergh used the Lyman version in his 2001 film Ocean's Eleven. The song appears often in the 2014 film Whiplash as an important plot element. The Mills Brothers recorded an a cappella version in which they imitated instruments with their voices. Johnny Mathis recorded the song in 1956. More than 350 versions have been recorded. 


2:42
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Night and stars above that shine so bright 
The myst'ry of their fading light 
That shines upon our caravan 
 
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep 
Across the sand so I may keep 
The mem'ry of our caravan 
 
This is so exciting 
You are so inviting 
Resting in my arms 
As I thrill to the magic charms 
Of you beside me here beneath the blue 
My dream of love is coming true 
Within our desert caravan

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Martin Denny

Martin Denny (April 10, 1911 – March 2, 2005) was an American piano-player and composer best known as the "father of exotica." In a long career that saw him performing well into his 80s, he toured the world popularizing his brand of lounge music which included exotic percussion, imaginative rearrangements of popular songs, and original songs that celebrated Tiki culture. more »

0 fans

Written by: RACHEL MARY BERKELEY PORTMAN

Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


5 facts about this song

Arthur Lyman
"Caravan" was covered by Arthur Lyman, a notable Hawaiian musician specializing in a style known as exotica, which combines tropical aesthetics with jazz and lounge music. - Lyman used exotic instruments like marimbas, vibraphones, and bird calls in his version of "Caravan," adding a unique tropical spin to the classic jazz composition.
Gordon Jenkins
Gordon Jenkins, a renowned American arranger, composer, and conductor, also notably covered "Caravan." - His orchestral arrangement of "Caravan" aimed to bring the exotic themes of the song to a broader audience.
Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis, a popular American singer of pop, jazz, soul, and blues, covered "Carvan", and his version is known for its lush, romantic vocal style. - Mathis's recording of "Caravan" was a significant departure from the song's jazz roots, featuring clean orchestral arrangements and smooth vocals.
Martin Denny
Martin Denny, another pioneer of the exotica genre like Arthur Lyman, created a version of "Caravan" as well. - Denny's arrangement, which leans heavily into the exotica style with its use of unconventional percussion and animal sounds, remains among the more popular versions of "Caravan."
General Facts
- The song "Caravan" was originally composed by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol, and made its debut in 1936. - It is regarded as a jazz standard, frequently covered by numerous artists from various musical genres. - The song's various covers reflect its enduring appeal and flexibility across multiple genres, styles, and interpretations.

Discuss the Caravan Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Caravan Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/35542505/Martin+Denny/Caravan>.

    Missing lyrics by Martin Denny?

    Know any other songs by Martin Denny? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Caravan

    13,752
    89     1

    more tracks from the album

    Best Of Martin Denny's Exotica

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "I'm a girl's girl, I'm a boss in a man's world."
    A If I Were a Boy
    B Tomboy
    C Pretty Girl
    D For the Love of a Daughter

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Martin Denny tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!