When one thinks of music of the World War II era, the music of Glenn Miller is perhaps recalled more than just about any other act. Miller’s music is so definitive that just about any movie set in that era includes either “In the Mood” or “Moonlight Serenade” – or both.
“Moonlight Serenade” has an interesting history: The music is instantly recognizable, as it has endured far more than the lyrics – and that is likely due to the evolution of the song. Originally, it was known as “Now I Lay Me Down to Weep” with lyrics by Eddie Heyman. The track later evolved into “Gone With the Dawn,” with lyrics by George Simon (who, incidentally, also penned a biography of Miller). It then evolved into “The Wind In the Trees” and inevitably “Moonlight Serenade” — and both of those versions were written by Mitchell Parish.
Chicago managed to breathe new life into this time-honored tune, while avoiding a misstep like turning the upbeat Christmas favorite “Feliz Navidad” into a funeral dirge on What’s It Gonna Be Santa?. Instead, they transformed the hauntingly beautiful “Moonlight Serenade” into something catchy and upbeat for 1995’s Night & Day: Big Band.
The peppy delivery lends itself to toe or steering-wheel finger-tapping, if one happens to be driving while listening to the song. As on the other tracks where he sings lead from Night & Day, Jason Scheff’s vocals are strong and confident – because he’s again allowed to sing in his own range and be himself.
I’d argue this is one of the stronger tracks on Night & Day, as Chicago reimagines a classic with a completely different tone and color rather than merely rehashing a dime-a-dozen cover from the swing era. Luckily, far more of the Night & Day album falls into the former category than falls into the latter.
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