1956 Songs: Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (85240)
United States
April 14, 2026 11:22am CST
You just don’t ever know with me, do you. Yesterday we had a great voice with silly song. Today? Deep philosophy in easy listening form. One of the classic signature songs of one of the great pop singers of the era.
Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) - Doris Day
Because I wasn’t around when this song came out, I had no idea of its origins. To me, it was the theme song to The Doris Day Show. Ah, but it has an interesting backstory.
Hitchcock wasn’t just a scary movie guy, he could make great drama and mystery. One such film was 1956’s The Man Who Knew Too Much, which starred James Stewart and Doris Day. Day sings this song in a climatic moment in the film.
“Que Sera, Sera” won the “Best Song” Oscar for that year. Moreover, it set up a marriage for life between Day and the song. The song has been covered over 200 times, but if you’re my age you can’t think of anyone but Doris Day doing this song.
Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)
Written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston
Recorded by Doris Day
Released as a single, 1956
Will I be pretty?:
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14 people like this
16 responses
@MarieCoyle (57393)
•
16 Apr
@FourWalls
No 'slope?" I nearly fell off my chair here! 
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49618)
• India
14 Apr
That is really melodious and memorable song.
Slow yet something to bind like a magical glue!
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49618)
• India
15 Apr
@FourWalls
"Que Sera Sera"... has been used in a few modern Bollywood songs as well in a modified way.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
That’s such a great description of it!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
That’s true…whether you want to or not.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (28773)
•
14 Apr
Doris Day.
Will I be pretty?
This song is used on many football supporters chants here.
Mostly in England actually
2 people like this
@valherma00 (2617)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
14 Apr
i didn't know it won an oscar. a very nice song. also, a great lesson
2 people like this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
Her song “Secret Love” was also nominated (in the movie Calamity Jane). That’s my favorite song of hers, and one of my favorite pop songs ever.
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (2617)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
19 Apr
@FourWalls she was a very versatile singer and actress
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (188121)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Apr
For some reason I love hearing her sing this song. Her voice is so nice to listen to.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
16 Apr
She had a wonderful voice, so it's understandable that you'd enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
This was Livingston & Evans’ third and final Oscar. They also won for “Mona Lisa” and “Buttons and Bows.”
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
@LadyDuck — “Mona Lisa” was best known by Nat “King” Cole. I barely remember “Buttons and Bows” myself. 
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (498920)
• Italy
15 Apr
@FourWalls I am going to check the other two songs, I fear I never heard them.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
16 Apr
You ARE pretty, and so was she. Glad you liked it!
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (10101)
• United Kingdom
15 Apr
I love Doris Day .....and I love this song ....
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (120373)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
16 Apr
I remember that song sung by Doris Day being played on the radio stations in New Orleans before the station became a Disney owned radio station that is aimed towards younger persons.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
Oh, yes, the female singers of that era had marvelous voices.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (78909)
• Germany
16 Apr
@FourWalls I agree, I also love her old movies.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (219190)
• United States
16 Apr
I had a Doris Day album. This is a good song.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
16 Apr
Yes it is. I don’t know if we had any albums by her (I don’t remember seeing any), but she was everywhere in the 60s. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
18 Apr
@LindaOHio — the city is throwing a big air show and fireworks display in my honor today. (I say that every time Thunder Over Louisville falls on my birthday.)
(I say that every time Thunder Over Louisville falls on my birthday.)1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (219190)
• United States
18 Apr
@FourWalls HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you have something special planned.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
She had a TV series here in the late 60s and early 70s, and that’s where I learned the song from. So that takes care of three decades knowing it!
@MarieCoyle (57393)
•
15 Apr
This is just her song, it is associated with her and her success, and always will be. My Grandmother liked Doris Day movies, and the few that I remember, I associate with watching them with her. I also remember Grandma humming ''Que, Sera, Sera'' and enjoying herself.
You have brought back a lot of good memories for me lately, and I have enjoyed it so much. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85240)
• United States
15 Apr
That's what happens when we're celebrating the 1950s! Lots of memories for me, too of things my parents enjoyed.
1 person likes this
