Johnny Mercer
The Old Music Master

Awards

“Jeepers Creepers”

Johnny Mercer earned his first Academy Award nomination for the song “Jeepers Creepers,” which appeared in the 1938 Warner Bros. film Going Places. Mercer said that he came up with the idea for the song after he heard an actor say the phrase ‘jeepers creepers’ in a film. The most notable recording of “Jeepers Creepers” was done by Louis Armstrong, who starred in Going Places, but it has also been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and other popular artists.

“Jeepers Creepers” sheet music cover, 1938.
British “Jeepers Creepers” sheet music cover, 1938.

 Academy Awards

Mercer’s Academy Award for Best Song for “Moon River,” 1962.

Throughout his career, Johnny Mercer earned 18 Academy Award nominations and went on to win 4 awards. Mercer received Academy Awards for Best Original Song for the following:

  • “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” with Harry Warren for The Harvey Girls, 1946
  • “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” with Hoagy Carmichael for Here Comes the Groom, 1951
  • “Moon River” with Henry Mancini for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961
  • “Days of Wine and Roses” with Henry Mancini for Days of Wine and Roses, 1962

Mercer received a nomination for Best Original Song Score for “Darling Lili” in 1971 and received several nominations for Best Original Song for:

  • “Life is What You Make It” in 1972
  • “Whistling Away the Dark” in 1971
  • “The Sweetheart Tree” in 1966
  • “Charade” in 1964
  • “The Facts of Life” in 1961
  • “Something’s Gotta Give” in 1956
  • “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” in 1946
  • “That Old Black Magic” in 1944
  • “My Shining Hour” in 1944
  • “Dearly Beloved” in 1943
  • “Blues in the Night” in 1942
  • “I’d Know You Anywhere” in 1941
  • “Love of My Life” in 1941
  • “Jeepers Creepers” in 1939

 Grammy Awards

Johnny Mercer won two Grammy Awards during the course of his career. He won awards for Song of the Year for:

  • “Days of Wine and Roses” in 1963
  • “Moon River” in 1962

He was also nominated for Song of the Year in 1964 for “I Wanna Be Around.” Additionally, he was nominated for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for the Darling Lili album in 1970. 

And, in 1987, Mercer was the National Trustees Award winner. The National Trustees Award is presented by vote of the Recording Academy’s National Trustees to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performing, to the music industry during their careers.

Mercer’s Grammy Award for Best Song for “Days of Wine and Roses,” 1963.
Plaque detail on Mercer’s Grammy Award for “Days of Wine and Roses,” 1963.

Golden Globe Awards

Mercer’s Golden Globe Award for “Whistling Away the Dark,” 1971.

Johnny Mercer won two Golden Globe Awards. He won awards for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for:

  • “Life Is What You Make It,” written by Mercer and Marvin Hamlisch, 1972
  • “Whistling Away the Dark,” written by Mercer and Henry Mancini, 1971

He was also nominated for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for 1966’s “The Sweetheart Tree,” which was also written with Henry Mancini.