What if you were the “toast of Broadway,” known for your witty and sophisticated songs? And Warner Brothers asked you to write them a “cowboy song" for a movie?
It amazes me that a large group of musicians could learn, perform, and record an unfamiliar song in under an hour. Doris Day said her recording of “Secret Love” was quickly done in one take, no rehearsal, so I guess it’s a matter of professionalism and superior talent. Increasingly, I am impressed by “The Wrecking Crew”—the mostly anonymous studio musicians who created so much of the music of the 1960s. I don’t think a lot of time was spent rehearsing and recording those songs, either.
This song has always been one of my favorite sing-alongs, even though I’m a homeloving type. I also know all the words to the other songs you cited, too—& I sing them, sort of, shifting keys mid-phrase, trying to avoid screeching or growling. His songs were brilliant—& complex.
As for backstories, I differ with Jack. I do like to get the musical background, but I remember too many sad details about the personal lives of the entertainers of the 40s-60s.
Interestingly, Cole Porter lived in what the locals called a mansion just outside a small Indiana town named Peru. We lived there several years amd all my four children graduated from high school there. When one had visitors, you would drive them out by the mansion to brag a little. Also there was a rather famous candy company there and one delicacy they produced was Coles favorite and the story was he ordered a box sent to him in New York every week.
Peru was also the home of several circuses and driving down a local highway you could see elephants grazing. The town still honors that heritage by having a yearly “Circus City week” and in a specially constructed permanent “big top”, locals , especially school children perform in a real circus, working arduously to perfect circus acts that are amazing-even high wire trapeze acts. They are a lot more skillful than you might suppose and worth a visit if you plan to be in the area mid July.
I really enjoy your terrific research, Debra! When Roy Rogers introduced this song, it probably got lost in the sauce of all the movie stars who also appeared in "Hollywood Canteen." And, as I remember, Roy rode his horse, Trigger, indoors in that film, which clashed with his theme of not wanting to be fenced in.
One of my favorites since early childhood (the Andrews sisters and Bing were my dad’s favs so I grew up on them)… and I never knew until now that Porter wrote it!
(My top fav song in childhood, one I made my dad play me over and over again, was Rum and Coca Cola… going back to the lyrics as an adult it’s a lot darker than I ever imagined!)
It amazes me that a large group of musicians could learn, perform, and record an unfamiliar song in under an hour. Doris Day said her recording of “Secret Love” was quickly done in one take, no rehearsal, so I guess it’s a matter of professionalism and superior talent. Increasingly, I am impressed by “The Wrecking Crew”—the mostly anonymous studio musicians who created so much of the music of the 1960s. I don’t think a lot of time was spent rehearsing and recording those songs, either.
I would have chosen the performance by Riders in the Sky
Now do this one! 😸 Doesn't have to be this version.
But for highly sentimental reasons, the song is a favorite in our house. https://youtu.be/hvPeiSa2CxE?si=QF0fH33_bhiJN6_K
What a fun listen! Thank you for picking this one. What a jolly way with the music they all had!
This song has always been one of my favorite sing-alongs, even though I’m a homeloving type. I also know all the words to the other songs you cited, too—& I sing them, sort of, shifting keys mid-phrase, trying to avoid screeching or growling. His songs were brilliant—& complex.
As for backstories, I differ with Jack. I do like to get the musical background, but I remember too many sad details about the personal lives of the entertainers of the 40s-60s.
Interestingly, Cole Porter lived in what the locals called a mansion just outside a small Indiana town named Peru. We lived there several years amd all my four children graduated from high school there. When one had visitors, you would drive them out by the mansion to brag a little. Also there was a rather famous candy company there and one delicacy they produced was Coles favorite and the story was he ordered a box sent to him in New York every week.
Peru was also the home of several circuses and driving down a local highway you could see elephants grazing. The town still honors that heritage by having a yearly “Circus City week” and in a specially constructed permanent “big top”, locals , especially school children perform in a real circus, working arduously to perfect circus acts that are amazing-even high wire trapeze acts. They are a lot more skillful than you might suppose and worth a visit if you plan to be in the area mid July.
Debra: Until today, it's been a tossup. Which do I like more, the song or your back story?
Now it's official.
Your back story.
I really enjoy your terrific research, Debra! When Roy Rogers introduced this song, it probably got lost in the sauce of all the movie stars who also appeared in "Hollywood Canteen." And, as I remember, Roy rode his horse, Trigger, indoors in that film, which clashed with his theme of not wanting to be fenced in.
One of my favorites since early childhood (the Andrews sisters and Bing were my dad’s favs so I grew up on them)… and I never knew until now that Porter wrote it!
(My top fav song in childhood, one I made my dad play me over and over again, was Rum and Coca Cola… going back to the lyrics as an adult it’s a lot darker than I ever imagined!)
One of the best "sing alongs:" ever known!
My mom sang it to us. Also Tumbling Tumbleweeds. Also Moonlight on the Prairie.