"Heart and Soul" is a popular song, with music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Frank Loesser, published in 1938. The original 1938 version was performed by Larry Clinton & his Orchestra featuring Bea Wain. The tune (or at least the A section, which features just four repeated chords I-vi-IV-V) is very easy to play on a piano and commonly played by two people side by side (example (help·info)). Because of the repetition of the chords, many people are able to play at least one of the parts, whether they are actually piano students or are only able to play a song or two. In this respect, it can be compared to "Chopsticks".
The song's chord progression became very common in doo-wop hits and is also known as the '50s progression. This song is believed to be its first popular appearance.citation needed
In 1939, three versions charted: Larry Clinton (reaching #1 on the chart), Eddy Duchin (reaching #12), and Al Donohue (reaching #16). The song later charted as #11 in 1952 by The Four Aces, as #57 in 1956 by Larry Maddox, as #18 in 1961 by The Cleftones, and as #25 in 1961 by Jan and Dean. Many other versions have been recorded. Listen to Ella Fitzgerald's version, recorded in 1960: here
- The film American Graffiti features the song being played on the Wolfman Jack Show, performed by The Cleftones
- The film Big features the song being played on a giant electronic keyboard.
- The film Stuart Little features the song, played and sung by Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis.
- The band Liquid Tension Experiment plays a part of the song at the end of "Universal Mind" on their Liquid Tension Experiment album.
- In Star Trek: Voyager,Season 5 Episode 18 "Course Oblivion", Harry plays the song with his Clarinet just before B'Elanna Torres enters the room for her wedding with Tom Paris.
- The film Superman Returns also features the song being played on a grand piano inside of Lex Luthor's yacht.
- In episode 20 of the TV series, Lost, the song is played in a flashback by Jack Shepherd and his new wife.
- In episode 20, season 5 of the TV series, Frasier, the song is sung by Niles and Daphne while chopping vegetables in Niles' kitchen.
- The Band Bread Incorporated (Chris Paribello, Josh Kramer, and Jim Maitland of Elmira, NY) was banned from playing the song for eternity.
- In episode 6 of the TV series Raines, Michael Raines plays Heart and Soul amateurishly with a murdered 10-year-old girl that he imagines. It's shown that while he plays one part, he hums the other.
- In episode 17, season 5 of Family Guy, the tune is played by Stewie to mock Peter, a parody of the scene in the film Amadeus where Mozart mocks Salieri.
- Steve Goodman's song "Penny Evans", referring to American draftees killed in Vietnam, mentions "fifty thousand 'Heart and Souls' being played with just one hand."
- The song is briefly played in the First Communion ceremony at the beginning of The Godfather, Part II.
- In 'Cro-Magnon', Season 1 Episode 12 of Ally McBeal, the song is played by Ally and her well-endowed date.
- The song is featured in the musical revue Forever Plaid.
- In the season 3 finale of Ellen, the song was played and sung at Paige's wedding.
- In 2008, The Discovery Channel ran an ad that used the tune for their I Love the World ads.
Recorded versions
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