Cow-Cow Boogie
"Cow Cow Boogie (Cuma-Ti-Yi-Yi-Ay)" is a "country-boogie"-style blues song, with music was written by Don Raye, and lyrics were written by Benny Carter and Gene De Paul.[1] The song was written for the 1942 Abbott & Costello film Ride 'Em Cowboy, which included Ella Fitzgerald as a cast member, but was cut from the movie.
| "Cow-Cow Boogie" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Language | English |
| Published | 1942 |
| Composer(s) | Don Raye |
| Lyricist(s) | Benny Carter Gene De Paul |
Background
The song utilizes the folklore of the singing cowboy in the American West. In the lyrics, the cowboy is from the city and tells his "dogies" (motherless calves)[2] to "get hip."
First recording
The first recording was by Freddie Slack & his Orchestra, featuring vocalist Ella Mae Morse in 1942. The record was the second release by Capitol Records and their first million-seller/ number one on the charts record. Morse learned the song from hearing Fitzgerald on a soundtrack she had acquired, even though the song had been cut from the movie. Morse also recalled recording the song in a single take, which she had thought was only a rehearsal.[3]
Other recordings
- The November 3, 1943 collaboration between The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald[4] resulted in a number-one hit on the Harlem Hit Parade and a number-10 hit on the pop chart.[5]
- Frankie Laine (1961) (included in the Bear Family Records 9-CD set Rawhide)[6]
- The Mills Brothers - for the album San Antonio Rose (1961).[7]
- Ray Stevens covered the song for his album Misty (Ray Stevens album) (1975).
- Mel Torme - included on the album Mel Tormé, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass (1986).[8]
- Mother-daughter duo The Judds recorded the song for their 1987 album Heartland.[9]
Popular culture
- The Ella Mae Morse version was later re-recorded as a "soundie," an early form of music video.
References
- "secondhandsongs.com". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- "Dictionary definition of "Dogies"". Merriam Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 11, 2012.
- Gilliland, John (1994). Pop Chronicles the 40s: The Lively Story of Pop Music in the 40s (audiobook). ISBN 978-1-55935-147-8. OCLC 31611854. Tape 1, side A.
- "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 204.
- "Bear Family Records". bear-family.com. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1961. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
External links