The song describes two scenarios where animals do seemingly impossible acts. First, an ant moves a rubber tree plant all by himself, then a ram single-handedly puts a hole in a "billion-kilowattdam." The desires of these animals are described by the chorus as "high, apple pie in the sky, hopes," although the song implies they ultimately accomplish them. The song finishes by comparing problems to toy balloons; the problem has gone away when the balloon is popped, as stated by the closing line, "Oops, there goes another problem, ker-plop."
Performers
Frank Sinatra
"High Hopes" was originally recorded by American singer Frank Sinatra in 1959 in a hit version featuring a children's chorus, which was later included in his 1961 album All the Way. This version is not the one that appeared in the film, as the film version paired Sinatra with Eddie Hodges rather than with a children's chorus;[2] also, the lyrics are slightly different, referring more directly to Anthony the Ant and The Bonanno, or Goodyear Plant and the FBI or Hoover Dam. The tune reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] The track peaked at #6 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] Sinatra also recorded a version of the tune with different lyrics which was used as the theme song for the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy.[4]
Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. performed the song with a children's chorus at the 32nd Academy Awards ceremony, where it won the award for Best Original Song.
Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore recorded the song with a children's chorus in 1960.
The song also was popularized in Philadelphia by Philliesplay-by-play announcer Harry Kalas, who made the song his personal anthem. Kalas sang "High Hopes" after the Phillies won the 1993 National League Championship, and again after the 2008 World Series.[6] Beginning after his death, after each home Phillies win, the home fans sing the song while the lyrics and a video of Kalas are played on the jumbotron above Harry the K's restaurant in left field of the Phillies' home stadium, Citizens Bank Park.
Rick Logan
Rick Logan recorded a shortened version of the song without any music and with a women's chorus by Donna Davidson-Medine, Luana Jackman, Susie Stevens-Logan (his wife) and Bobbi Page for A Goofy Movie in 1995.
Franky Perez
Franky Perez, American singer and vocalist for Finnish symphonic metal band Apocalyptica, recorded a version of the song for the 2011 metal-inspired tribute album Sin-Atra.
Rap musician Craig Mack looped portions of Sinatra's original song into his 1999 composition "Wooden Horse", which was used on the soundtrack to the film What's the Worst That Could Happen?.
Laverne and Shirley – The title characters sing the song in numerous episodes to cheer themselves up when down on their luck.
Rocky Balboa – The announcers play the original 1959 recording of the song on the loudspeakers when Rocky Balboa enters the ring. He at first doubts when hearing the song that his brother-in-law "Paulie Pennino" has chosen, but later says "He's very good, Sinatra".
A Goofy Movie - During the road trip Max turns on the radio to listen to acid rock music then Goofy puts in a 8-track tape and sings along to the song "High Hopes". But Max switches it back to acid rock music and Goofy switches it back to the song. They fight over the radio causing the 8-track tape to spit out parts of the taping and the radio to explode while Max declares that they don't have any music to listen to now.
Muppets Tonight (episode 207 "Rick Moranis") – While telling Seymour and Pepe that they need to have skill, patience and high hopes, Moranis begins singing the song. However, Seymour interrupts by smashing the ant, who later taken in an ambulance prompting Moranis to continue singing including the ant's injury in the lyrics ("That dead ant had high hopes/Before you smashed him, he had high apple pie in the sky hopes.").
^Luce, Paul (April 14, 2009). "Remembering Harry Kalas". The Delaware County Daily Times. Exton, PA. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
