"Johnny Guitar" is a song written by Peggy Lee (lyrics) and Victor Young (music) and was the title track of the 1954 film of the same name, directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Joan Crawford. The music loosely echoes several themes from Spanish Dance No. 5: Andaluza by Enrique Granados, which was written for piano, but is often played on classical guitar.

"Johnny Guitar"
Song by Peggy Lee
Published1954
Composer(s)Victor Young
Lyricist(s)Peggy Lee

The instrumental for the song is used over the opening credits and throughout the film. The song is played on the piano by Joan Crawford (dubbed) and sung partially at the end by Peggy Lee.

The song appears on all of the radio stations in the 2010 videogame Fallout: New Vegas.

Covers edit

Instrumental covers were made by The Leemen, The Spotnicks, Group Seven and Crveni Koralji in the 1960s. Later versions include James Last, Kristi Rose, David Vanian and the Phantom Chords, Die Haut feat. Blixa Bargeld and was sung in French by Jeanne Balibar in 2003. Eric Clapton released an instrumental version on CD single in 2001.

Language covers were done, amongst others :

Sources edit

  • Young, Victor. Cinema Rhapsodies: The Musical Genius of Victor Young Ontario: (Hit Parade Records, 2006).

References edit