Who Sang Blue Moon in an American Werewolf in London?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re a fan of horror-comedy movies, you’ve probably seen ‘An American Werewolf in London.’ Directed by John Landis, this film is a cult classic that has earned its place in the horror genre as one of the best films ever made. But there’s one particular scene that stands out from the rest.

It’s a scene where the main character, David Kessler, transforms into a werewolf while ‘Blue Moon’ plays in the background. But who sang that version of ‘Blue Moon’? Let’s find out.

The Original Song

Before we talk about who sang it in the movie, let’s first talk about the original version of ‘Blue Moon.’ The song was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934.

It was first performed by the actor and singer Jean Harlow in the movie ‘Manhattan Melodrama.’ Since then, it has been covered by numerous artists over the years.

The Marcels

The version of ‘Blue Moon’ used in ‘An American Werewolf in London’ was performed by a doo-wop group called The Marcels. They were an African-American group from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and were known for their unique style of mixing doo-wop with rock and roll.

Their version of ‘Blue Moon’ was released in 1961 and became an instant hit. It spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold over one million copies.

The Recording

The recording used in the movie was not The Marcels’ original recording but a re-recording done specifically for the film. The film’s music supervisor, Ira Newborn, approached The Marcels to record a new version of the song with a slower tempo to fit into the scene where David transforms into a werewolf. The new recording featured additional instrumentation such as a harmonica and a howling wolf, which added to the eerie atmosphere of the scene.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Marcels were the artists behind the version of ‘Blue Moon’ used in ‘An American Werewolf in London.’ Their unique style and sound brought a new life to the classic song, making it an even more memorable part of an already iconic scene. The re-recording done for the movie added to the overall ambiance of the scene, making it one of the most memorable moments in horror movie history.