Jean

"Jean" is the title of a popular song from 1969 (see 1969 in music). It was written by the American poet and composer Rod McKuen, who also recorded a version of the song.

The song was the theme to the film adaptation of Muriel Spark's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which starred noted British film actress Maggie Smith. Smith won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the lead character in the film, Jean Brodie. The song "Jean", as performed by songwriter McKuen, was also nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Original Song. Although released as a single in the summer of 1969, McKuen's version of the song failed to reach the American music charts.

"Jean" was also recorded by the American singer William Swofford, who was known professionally by his middle name, Oliver. Earlier in 1969, Swofford had reached #3 on the Billboard pop and adult contemporary charts with his version of "Good Morning Starshine", a song from the musical Hair. While working on an album with producer Bob Crewe (which would also be called Good Morning Starshine), "Jean" was selected as a song for the record and subsequently chosen as the follow-up single. It became another hit for the singer, reaching #2 on the pop chart and spending four weeks at #1 on the adult contemporary chart. Swofford would later describe his cover version of the song: "We had no idea it would be a single. It was a 3/4 ballad in the psychedelic era...it was a beautiful arrangement."^[1]

References

1. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications)