The Unicorn (song)

"The Unicorn" is a song written by Shel Silverstein. It was originally released in 1962 on his album Inside Folk Songs (Atlantic 8072).[1]

"The Unicorn"
Song by Shel Silverstein
from the album Inside Folk Songs
Released1962
GenreFolk
LabelAtlantic Records
Songwriter(s)Shel Silverstein
Producer(s)Jerry Wexler, Al Brackman

Background

The lyrics to the song also appear, printed as a poem, based on the biblical tale, Noah's Ark, in Shel Silverstein's book Where the Sidewalk Ends. In the original version of the song, the Irish Rovers speak half of the lyrics, as well as the part of the fourth chorus. The final line is spoken freely without music: "And that's why you'll never see a Unicorn to this very day".[2]

Irish Rovers recording
"The Unicorn"
Decca 32254
Single by the Irish Rovers
from the album The Unicorn
B-side
  • "Black Velvet Band" (most releases)
  • "The Rattling Bog" (UK/Ireland)
Released1968
GenreFolk
Length3:18
LabelDecca (most releases)
MCA (UK/Ireland)
Festival (Australia)
Songwriter(s)Shel Silverstein
Producer(s)Charles "Bud" Dant

"The Unicorn" was made very popular by the Irish Rovers in 1968. It remains one of the best-known songs in the Irish Rovers' long career. It sold 8 million copies worldwide and in their native Ireland, the song peaked at #5 on the Irish Singles Chart.[3][4] In addition, the song was nominated for Best Folk Performance at the 1969 Grammy Awards.[5] Elsewhere, "The Unicorn" peaked at #4 in Canada,[6] and in the US, reached #2 on the US Adult Contemporary Chart, and #7 on the Hot 100.[7]

Other cover versions

Silverstein's songbook, "Dirty Feet" (TRO/Hollis Music, 1969), includes a discography saying that, along with the Irish Rovers and Silverstein's versions, "The Unicorn" had been recorded by

  • Bill Anderson (Decca)
  • Shay Duffin (RCA)
  • Robert Goulet (Columbia)
  • Bob Turner[8] (ABC)
  • Uncle Bill" (Dot). (The record "Uncle Bill Socks It To Ya"[9] was by Burt Wilson, imitating W.C. Fields)
  • Will Millar of the Irish Rovers recorded another, earlier version of the song with the St. Michaels Kids.[10] In 1981 Millar opened an Irish pub in Toronto under the name The Unicorn.[11]
  • Kidsongs used the song for Good Night Sleep Tight, but had to leave out the sad part to make it more kid-friendly.

Description

According to the song, the unicorn was not a fantasy, but a creature that literally missed the boat by not boarding Noah's Ark in time to be saved from the Great Flood described in the Bible. They are said to be the loveliest of all animals but also silly.[12]

References
  1. "Shel Silverstein Discography". Dmdb.org. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  2. Unicorn Song
  3. "CANOE - JAM! Music - Pop Encyclopedia - Irish Rovers, The". Jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  4. "The Irish Charts: All There Is To Know: Irish Rovers". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  5. "Irish Rovers". Grammy Awards. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  6. "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 30, 1968" (PDF).
  7. "The Unicorn, The Irish Rovers". Billboard, 1968. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  8. "Bands, Singers, Songwriters / Composers, Soloists, Performers, Entertainers, Musicians, M.C.s (EmCees) - Bob Turner". AcousticByLines. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  9. "Uncle Bill – Socks It to Ya (1969) | redtelephone66 » 60s & 70s Psych & Psuch". Archived from the original on 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
  10. "Will Millar Discography at theBalladeers". Archived from the original on 2011-09-14. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
  11. "BarDrinks.ca : Featured Establishment". Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  12. "The Unicorn Poem by Shel Silverstein - Poem Hunter". PoemHunter.com. 7 April 2010.
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