Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)
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"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" is a song performed and co-written by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross as the main theme for the 1981 film Arthur, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. It was recognized as the year's Best Original Song at both the 54th Academy Awards and 39th Golden Globe Awards.[1]
A commercial success in the United States, it reached the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Adult Contemporary charts in October 1981, remaining at the top of the Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks. The song topped the VG-lista chart in Norway and was a top-ten hit in several other countries.
Background
The song was written in collaboration between Cross, Burt Bacharach, and Bacharach's frequent writing partner and future wife Carole Bayer Sager. A fourth writing credit went to Minnelli's ex-husband, Australian songwriter Peter Allen,[1] a frequent collaborator with Bayer Sager. The line in the chorus "When you get caught between the moon and New York City" was taken from an unreleased song written by Allen and Bayer Sager.[2] Allen came up with the line while his plane was in a holding pattern during a night arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport.[3]
Release
The song "Minstrel Gigolo" served as the record's B-side, having previously backed Cross's debut single, "Ride Like the Wind".
Cross included "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" as a bonus track exclusive to cassette and CD versions of his 1983 album Another Page.
Music video
The music video consists of two acts, which are edited together in fade outs. In one, Christopher Cross performs the song with musicians in a recording studio, and the other is the story the song illustrates.
Reception
The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 54th Academy Awards. The song was also recognized as the year's Best Original Song at the 39th Golden Globe Awards.
The song ranked No. 79 among the AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey in 2004.
Personnel
- Christopher Cross – lead and backing vocals, guitar
- Michael Omartian – keyboards, synthesizers, string arrangements
- Michael Boddicker – synthesizer programming
- Steve Lukather – guitar
- Marty Walsh – guitar
- David Hungate – bass
- Jeff Porcaro – drums
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion
- Ernie Watts – saxophone
Charts and certifications
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Certifications
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See also
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- Academy Award for Best Original Song
- Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1981
- List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 1981
- List of number-one hits in Norway
References
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- Pages with script errors
- 1981 songs
- 1981 singles
- 1980s ballads
- Christopher Cross songs
- Liza Minnelli songs
- Best Original Song Academy Award–winning songs
- Best Original Song Golden Globe–winning songs
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Cashbox number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Norway
- Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles
- Songs with music by Burt Bacharach
- Songs written by Carole Bayer Sager
- Songs written by Christopher Cross
- Songs written by Peter Allen (musician)
- Songs about New York City
- Warner Records singles
- Arthur (film series)
- Film theme songs