Pure Imagination

Last updated

"Pure Imagination"
Song by Gene Wilder
from the album Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Music from the Original Soundtrack of the Paramount Picture)
Released1971 (1971)
Length4:20
Label Paramount
Songwriter(s) Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley

"Pure Imagination" is a song from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory . It was written by British composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley specifically for the movie. [1] It was sung by Gene Wilder who played the character of Willy Wonka. Bricusse has stated that the song was written over the phone in one day. [2] The song has a spoken introduction. [3]

Contents

Since its release, the song has been covered and remixed hundreds of times by a wide variety of artists. [3] The original song was not popular when it was first released. The film itself was not a blockbuster and other songs from the soundtrack performed better. It was not until the movie began appearing on television reruns in the 1980s that the film and "Pure Imagination" became more well known. [2] [4] Although the original song never charted, some cover versions have done so. [5] [4]

In the week following Wilder's death in 2016, the song rose in streams and sales by more than 1000%. [5] The song was featured in television, radio, and social media tributes to Wilder. [4] [6] While it was absent from the 2005 film adaptation Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , the song was featured in the 2023 prequel film Wonka , both in its promotional materials and the film itself, sung by Timothée Chalamet as Wonka. [7]

External audio
Nuvola apps arts.svg From "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"
Nuvola apps arts.svg From "Wonka"

Notable cover versions

Related Research Articles

<i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> 1964 childrens novel by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiona Apple</span> American musician (born 1977)

Fiona Apple McAfee-Maggart is an American singer-songwriter. Noted for her songwriting, she released five albums from 1996 to 2020, all of which reached the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Apple has received numerous awards and nominations, including three Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a Billboard Music Award.

<i>Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory</i> 1971 film by Mel Stuart

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 American musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart from a screenplay by Roald Dahl, based on his 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It stars Gene Wilder as chocolatier Willy Wonka. The film tells the story of a poor child named Charlie Bucket who, upon finding a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, wins the chance to visit Willy Wonka's chocolate factory along with four other children from around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Newley</span> English actor, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker (1931–1999)

Anthony Newley was an English actor, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker. A "latter-day British Al Jolson", he achieved widespread success in song, and on stage and screen. "One of Broadway's greatest leading men", from 1959 to 1962 he scored a dozen entries on the UK Top 40 chart, including two number one hits. Newley won the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "What Kind of Fool Am I?", sung by Sammy Davis Jr., and wrote "Feeling Good", which became a signature hit for Nina Simone. His songs have been sung by a wide variety of singers including Fiona Apple, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey.

Leslie Bricusse OBE was a British composer, lyricist, and playwright who worked on theatre musicals and wrote theme music for films. He was best known for writing the music and lyrics for the films Doctor Dolittle; Goodbye, Mr. Chips; Scrooge; Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory; Tom and Jerry: The Movie; the titular James Bond film songs "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice"; "Can You Read My Mind? " from Superman; and "Le Jazz Hot!" from Victor/Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Ostrum</span> American veterinarian and onetime child actor (born 1957)

Peter Gardner Ostrum is an American retired veterinarian and former child actor, whose only film role was as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 motion picture Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willy Wonka</span> Fictional character in Roald Dahl novels

Willy Wonka is a fictional character appearing in British author Roald Dahl's 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, its 1972 sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator and several films based on those books. He is the eccentric founder and proprietor of the Wonka Chocolate Factory.

<i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> (film) 2005 film by Tim Burton

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 2005 musical fantasy film directed by Tim Burton and written by John August, based on the 1964 children's novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film stars Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket, alongside David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Deep Roy, and Christopher Lee. The storyline follows Charlie as he wins a contest along with four other children and is led by Wonka on a tour of his chocolate factory.

"The Candy Man" is a song that originally appeared in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley specifically for the film. Although the original 1964 book by Roald Dahl contains lyrics adapted for other songs in the film, the lyrics to "The Candy Man" do not appear in the book. The soundtrack version of the song was sung by Aubrey Woods, who played candy store owner Bill in the film. Newley recorded the song on his 1971 album Pure Imagination.

<i>Pure Imagination</i> (Eric Reed album) 1998 studio album by Eric Reed

Pure Imagination is a 1998 album by jazz pianist Eric Reed released through Impulse! Records. This album contains reinterpretations (remakes) of traditional pop songs from classic Broadway and Hollywood productions such as Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Porgy and Bess, A Little Night Music among others. Pure Imagination has peaked at #8 on Billboard's Top Jazz Album charts. All songs are written by famous songwriters of said productions except for the opening and closing tracks composed by Reed himself.

<i>Willy Wonka</i> (musical) Musical by Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley, and Timothy Allen McDonald

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, also known simply as Willy Wonka, is a musical with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and a book by Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald. It is based on the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. The musical was commissioned by Music Theatre International and is licensed for performance by amateur theatre groups.

<i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> (musical) 2013 musical

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a musical based on the 1964 children's novel of the same name by Roald Dahl, with book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

<i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> (franchise) Fantasy media franchise created by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a media franchise based on the 1964 novel of the same name by British author Roald Dahl. It includes two books, three live-action theatrical films, three video games and miscellaneous other properties, such as touring musicals and theatrical adaptations, various merchandise and defunct amusement park ride.

<i>The Scarecrow</i> (2013 film) 2013 American film

The Scarecrow is a 2013 animated short film and advertisement by the American restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill. The film features Fiona Apple singing a cover version of "Pure Imagination", originally performed by Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

<i>Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble</i> 2014 studio album by Primus

Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble is the eighth studio album by American rock group Primus. The album is a re-imagining of the soundtrack of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The album was released on October 21, 2014. It is the first full-length album with Tim "Herb" Alexander since 1995's Tales from the Punchbowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come with Me (Pure Imagination)</span> 2016 single by Karmin

"Come with Me (Pure Imagination)" is a song by American music duo Karmin. It was released via Checkbook records on February 19, 2016 as the fourth single from their second studio album based on the zodiac "Leo Rising".

<i>Leo Rising</i> 2016 studio album by Karmin

Leo Rising is the second and final studio album by American music duo Karmin, released exclusively on Apple Music on September 9, 2016, before being released to all other platforms on September 23, 2016. It is the follow-up to their 2014 major label debut Pulses. Preceding the album's release, five singles were released to promote the album: "Along the Road", "Didn't Know You", "Come with Me ", "Sugar", and "Blame It on My Heart".

<i>Thor: Ragnarok</i> (soundtrack) 2017 film score by Mark Mothersbaugh

Thor: Ragnarok is the film score to the Marvel Studios film Thor: Ragnarok composed by Mark Mothersbaugh. Hollywood Records released the album digitally on October 20, 2017, with a physical release on November 10, 2017.

<i>Wonka</i> (film) 2023 film by Paul King

Wonka is a 2023 musical fantasy comedy film directed by Paul King, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby based on a story by King. It tells the origin story of Willy Wonka, a central character in the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, depicting his early days as a chocolatier. The film stars Timothée Chalamet as the title character, with an ensemble cast including Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant.

<i>Wonka</i> (soundtrack) 2023 soundtrack album by Neil Hannon and Joby Talbot

Wonka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2023 musical fantasy film of the same name co-written and directed by Paul King, and co-written by Simon Farnaby. Based on the origin story of Willy Wonka, a character in the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, the film stars Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, with an ensemble cast. The album features seven original songs composed by Neil Hannon and written by King and Farnaby, further accompanied by the cues from the original score composed by Joby Talbot. The songs are performed by the cast members, including Chalamet (in his singing debut). The soundtrack was released by WaterTower Music on 8 December 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "Stories of Standards: "Pure Imagination"". KUVO. 3 April 2019.
  2. 1 2 Riedel, Michael (30 August 2016). "Gene Wilder's most famous song was originally a dud". New York Post.
  3. 1 2 "Why Has 'Pure Imagination' Been Covered So Many Times?". WNYC Studios. 22 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Geddes, James (31 August 2016). "'Pure Imagination' By Gene Wilder From 'Willy Wonka' Hits iTunes Chart 45 Years After Initial Release". Tech Times.
  5. 1 2 Zellner, Xander (7 September 2016). "'Pure Imagination' Streams Increase 1,061% After Gene Wilder's Death". Billboard. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016.
  6. ↑ Hines, Ree (31 August 2016). "Coldplay performs touching Gene Wilder tribute with 'Pure Imagination'". Today.
  7. ↑ Rudoy, Matthew (14 November 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Finally Sings Iconic Gene Wilder Song In New Wonka Trailer". ScreenRant. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Searl, Hanford (1 September 1979). "Talent in Action". Billboard. Vol. 91, no. 35. Nielsen Business Media. p. 38. Retrieved 26 July 2024– via Google Books.
  9. ↑ "Muppet Central Guides – The Muppet Show: Ben Vereen". muppetcentral.com. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  10. ↑ Trust, Gary (26 May 2011). "Weekly Chart Notes: Adele, John Rich, Blondie". Billboard. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024.
  11. ↑ Roberts, Randall (13 September 2013). "Fiona Apple covers Willy Wonka in striking new Chipotle clip". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "Fiona Apple – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  13. ↑ "'Supergirl' recap: Kara hosts an awkward girls' night". EW.com. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  14. ↑ Schmidt, Joseph (4 November 2017). "'Thor: Ragnarok' Has A Willy Wonka Easter Egg". Comicbook.com.
  15. ↑ Armitage, Hugh (25 October 2017). "12 amazing Easter eggs from Thor: Ragnarok". Digital Spy.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.