The Unicorn (song)

{{Infobox song

| name = The Unicorn

| cover =

| alt =

| type =

| artist = Shel Silverstein

| album = Inside Folk Songs

| released = 1962

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Folk

| length =

| label = Atlantic Records

| writer = Shel Silverstein

| producer = Jerry Wexler, Al Brackman

}}

"The Unicorn" is a song written by Shel Silverstein. It was originally released in 1962 on his album Inside Folk Songs (Atlantic 8072).{{cite web|url=http://dmdb.org/discographies/shel.disco.html |title=Shel Silverstein Discography |website=Dmdb.org |access-date=2016-10-02}}

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".[https://toyfantv.com/llamacorn-song/ Unicorn Song]

Irish Rovers recording

{{Infobox song

| name = The Unicorn

| cover = S270995.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Decca 32254

| type = single

| artist = the Irish Rovers

| album = The Unicorn

| B-side = {{ubl|"Black Velvet Band" (most releases)|"The Rattling Bog" (UK/Ireland)}}

| released = 1968

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Folk

| length = 3:18

| label = Decca (most releases)
MCA (UK/Ireland)
Festival (Australia)

| writer = Shel Silverstein

| producer = Charles "Bud" Dant

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

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}}

"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.{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/I/Irish_Rovers.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710144324/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/I/Irish_Rovers.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |title=CANOE - JAM! Music - Pop Encyclopedia - Irish Rovers, The |website=Jam.canoe.ca |access-date=2016-10-02}}{{cite web|title=The Irish Charts: All There Is To Know: Irish Rovers|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|access-date=28 April 2012}} In addition, the song was nominated for Best Folk Performance at the 1969 Grammy Awards.{{cite web |title=Irish Rovers |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/irish-rovers/7444 |website=Grammy Awards |access-date=11 March 2023}} Elsewhere, "The Unicorn" peaked at #4 in Canada,{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.100183.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles - March 30, 1968}} and in the US, reached #2 on the US Adult Contemporary Chart, and #7 on the Hot 100.{{cite web|title=The Unicorn, The Irish Rovers|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the irish rovers|chart=all}}|publisher=Billboard, 1968|access-date=7 May 2012}}

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{{cite web|url=http://www.acousticbylines.com/performers-entertainers-musicians/bobturner.htm |title=Bands, Singers, Songwriters / Composers, Soloists, Performers, Entertainers, Musicians, M.C.s (EmCees) - Bob Turner |website=AcousticByLines |access-date=2016-10-02}} (ABC)
Uncle Bill" (Dot). (The record "Uncle Bill Socks It To Ya"{{cite web |url=http://www.redtelephone66.com/2012/03/uncle-bill-socks-it-to-ya-1969/ |title=Uncle Bill – Socks It to Ya (1969) | redtelephone66 » 60s & 70s Psych & Psuch |access-date=2013-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604041651/http://www.redtelephone66.com/2012/03/uncle-bill-socks-it-to-ya-1969/ |archive-date=2013-06-04 }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.theballadeers.com/wm_d01.htm |title=Will Millar Discography at theBalladeers |access-date=2012-04-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914022845/http://www.theballadeers.com/wm_d01.htm |archive-date=2011-09-14 }} In 1981 Millar opened an Irish pub in Toronto under the name The Unicorn.{{cite web |url=http://www.bardrinks.ca/featuredestablishment.aspx |title=BarDrinks.ca : Featured Establishment |access-date=2009-04-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720202147/http://www.bardrinks.ca/featuredestablishment.aspx |archive-date=2012-07-20 }}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-unicorn-6/|title=The Unicorn Poem by Shel Silverstein - Poem Hunter|date=7 April 2010|work=PoemHunter.com}}