“Bonanza” is the musical theme for the NBC western television series also called Bonanza, starring Lorne Greene. Jay Livingston and Raymond Evans wrote the song for the series. It was orchestrated by David Rose and arranged by Billy May for the television series. Members of the Western Writers of America included it in the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
Table of Contents
Song Background
The song famously opens with a flaming map of Ponderosa and saddle-bound Cartwrights. The melodic intro, which resembles running horses, is one of the most recognized television scores. Variations of the song have been used over 12 seasons in the series. Although there are two official sets of lyrics, the series used an instrumental theme. In a 1964 song, Lorne Greene modified the lyrics of Livingston and Evans with a more familial emphasis, “on this land we put our brand, Cartwright is the name, fortune smiled the day we filed the Ponderosa claim”. In 1970 episode scorer David Rose wrote a new theme song, called “The Big Bonanza” and was used from 1970–1972. Action-shot photos of the cast replaced the galloping trio. And for the 14th and final season, a faster rendition of the original music is back, along with action shots of the cast.
Columbia chose to issue Bonanza with lyrics rewritten by Cash and Johnny Western rather than release another single from the album, The Sound of Johnny Cash. The song briefly reached the Pop chart at # 94 before dropping and never hitting the Country charts.
In 1963, Cash even squeezed into a more western theme by writing and recording “Bonanza.” During this time, Cash and his friend Johnny Western discarded the original lyrics of Livingston and Evans and wrote new ones. Even though Cash’s version was never used in the TV series about the Cartwright family, he released it and included it on the Ring of Fire album.
Popular Recordings
Many artists recorded the song in a wide variety of styles. Some of the most popular versions were recorded by:
- Marty Gold
- Buddy Morrow and his Orchestra
- Johnny Gregory (bandleader)
- David Rose
- Al Caiola
- Billy Vaughn
- Valjean
- Lorne Greene
- Johnny Cash
- Nelson Riddle
- Faron Young
- Ralf Paulsen
- Carlos Malcolm & His Afro-Jamaican Rhythms
- Bad Manners
- Michael Feinstein
Bonanza In Albums
The song has also been released in the tracklist of the albums below:
- Swingin’ West
- Double Impact
- Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash
- Aims at the West
- Exodus
Chart Performance
The song has been included in the top hits of the following charts:
- #19 at US Billboard Hot 100 – Al Caiola and His Orchestra Version
- # 24 at US Cash Box Country Singles – Johnny Cash Version
- # 94 at US Billboard Hot 100 – Johnny Cash Version
Listen (Johnny Cash Version)
Bonanza Lyrics
The claim we hold is as good as gold, bonanza Hand in hand we built this land, the Ponderosa Ranch Our birthright is this Cartwright bonanza We here belong, and standing strong, wrong ain't got a chance Day by day, work or play, ready side by side Hello friend, come on in, the gate is open wide Bound to be a fightin' free bonanza, Singing pines of boundary lines for the Ponderosa Ranch. Every tree and flower is part of our bonanza The stars at night, the morning light, water in the branch We ride along four men strong together Every plain and ridge is our heritage: Ponderosa Ranch Day by day, work or play, ready side by side. Hello friend, come on in, the gate is open wide. Bound to be a fightin' free bonanza, Singing pines of boundary lines for the Ponderosa Ranch.
