The story behind
Billie Holiday sang I Wished on the Moon on a 1955 album, a version that stood out for its melancholy and the emotional weight of her voice. The song, written by Ralph Rainger and Dorothy Parker, was originally recorded in 1935, and was popularized by Bing Crosby in a version that became a best-selling hit. The recording was done with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, and although Crosby wanted to make a shorter version, there was a conflict with the producer. In the end, he decided to record only part of the song, which made a difference in his interpretation. The song was also performed by other artists such as Little Jack Little and Ruth Etting, who brought it to success in the 1930s. Holiday's version, more intimate and full of feeling, became one of her most remembered songs. ↓ Skip to chordsVerse 1
Em
A
Fm
Bb Edim D
A D A C Edim
A
Verse 2
Gm
A D
G
F#m
A Ebdim
Verse 3
D A Bb
A
D A D F#
B E A D G
C Eb C D Eb
Gdim A D B Ebdim
C Gm
Verse 4
A D A
D G
A Ebdim Eb Edim A
C# A D F#
B E A D
G D C Gm D
Gdim F# A D
Interlude 1
Ebdim B Gm D A D A B Ebdim F#dim A D A D A C#
D F# B A D G Gm D Gm C Em B Em D
A D A D G A Bm D B G Em A Gm A D G A B Ebdim Gm A
Ddim A D F#m D F# B E A D G D Gm C Bb C
D
Verse 5
G Bb D A
D B
Edim A Gm Bb
A Ddim D F#
D B E A D G
D Gm Bb D C#dim
Gdim A D A B
D Gm A Gm
Verse 6
Bbdim A
D G A D
A G D A
Ddim D A F#m
B E D
G D G Gm C
G A
Gbm Fm Bb Fm Bb Em G A G F#m
D
From the album
Lady Sings the Blues
Billie Holiday · 1956 · Track 3