Bonanza (song)


"Bonanza" is the musical theme for the NBC western television series Bonanza starring Lorne Greene. It was written for the series by Jay Livingston and Raymond Evans.
In 1961, it became a hit for Al Caiola and His Orchestra, whose instrumental recording reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Johnny Cash version

Johnny Cash recorded his own version, with lyrics rewritten by him and his friend Johnny Western, and released it as a single on Columbia Records in July or August 1962. The Billboard magazine evaluated the single upon its release as having a "moderate sales potential", but "Bonanza" only grazed the Hot 100 and entirely missed the Billboard country chart, while "Pick a Bale o' Cotton" didn't make either.

Charts

Al Caiola and His Orchestra version
Chart Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 10019

Johnny Cash version
Chart Peak
position
US Cash Box Country Singles24