They Call The Wind Maria

Album: Paint Your Wagon soundtrack (1969)
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Songfacts®:

  • The fifth song from the 1969 musical Paint Your Wagon was composed by by Frederick Loewe and written by Alan Jay Lerner. Along with "Wand'rin' Star" this is probably the best known song from this film. It is performed by Harve Presnell as Rotten Luck Willie with an unseen Chorus - in the song, Willie is asking the wind to blow his lost love back to him. Maria is pronounced as in light my fire-e.

    Written in 4/4 time, it was also released as a single by Presnell, by The Dozier Boys and Sam Cooke among others. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 2

  • Chdrk from ScI was wrong. It is Harve Presnel with dyed hair !! He is a Blond and they gave him dark hair & a dark beard- he looks just like Howard Keel !! He played in 7Brides for 7 Brothers with Howard Keel !! They both have beautiful deep voices.
  • Denise from Los AngelesHarve Presnell singing they call The Wind Mariah is the most beautiful rendition I have ever heard..I listened to this song by at least 6 or 7 other singers including Pernell Roberts and Robert Goulet and no one no matter how well they sing, sings it a heart warmly and soulful as he does.. I love watching the video, watching him sing makes you want to cry for him and his love he left behind..
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