On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe is a 1944 popular song written by Harry Warren (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics). The title refers to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The song was written for the film The Harvey Girls, released early 1946. Judy Garland sings it in the film. The song won the Oscar for best original song of 1946.
In 1945 published different versions of the song on record. That of Johnny Mercer itself with the Pied Pipers and Paul Weston's Orchestra, on Capitol Records, was most successful and occupied from July to september the first place in Billboard's bestseller list. But also the versions of Bing Crosby (Decca), Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra, with vocals by The Sentimentalists (Victor) and Judy Garland with the Merry Macs and Lyn Murray Orchestra (Decca) reached the charts. Other versions from 1945, by Tommy Tucker (Columbia), Kate Smith (Columbia) and Louis Prima (Majestic).
Billboard placed the song at number 4 in its list of top hits for 1945[1] .