Happy Feet (song)

"Happy Feet" is a song with music by Milton Ager and lyrics by Jack Yellen, first published in 1930. It was originally introduced in the Universal Pictures revue film King of Jazz (1930), where it was performed by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra with the Rhythm Boys.[2]

"Happy Feet"
Song by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra with the Rhythm Boys
Published1930 by Ager, Yellen & Bornstein, Inc.
RecordedFebruary 10, 1930 (1930-02-10)[1]
Genre
Length3:00
LabelColumbia W149810
Composer(s)Milton Ager
Lyricist(s)Jack Yellen

Background

In film, the song was introduced in one of the musical-dancing sequences. It begins with the verse and chours sung by the Rhythm Boys (featuring future multimedia star Bing Crosby in his onscreen debut) with the Sisters G reprising the chorus in German. The rest of "Happy Feet" sequence contains the latter's dance show along with the Russell Markert Girls.[3] A memorable "rubber legs" solo was danced by Al Norman.[4]

According to the labels on the shellac records, the target dance for the song was a foxtrot.[1]

Notable recordings
Date Main recording artist Vocalist(s) Notes Ref.
February 10, 1930Paul Whiteman and his OrchestraThe Rhythm BoysFeaturing Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker.[1]
April 9, 1930Leo Reisman and his OrchestraLew Conrad
May 8, 1930Frankie Trumbauer's OrchestraSmith Ballew
May 9, 1930Jack Hylton and his OrchestraPat O’Malley
May 26, 1930The Mariners Trio
October 7, 1930The Revelers
October 14, 1930Cab Calloway and his OrchestraCab Calloway
October 3, 1933Horace Henderson and his OrchestraHenry Allen

References
  1. "Jack Yellen – Discography of American Historical Recordings".
  2. "Soundtrack of King of Jazz – Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  3. "Full credits of King of Jazz – Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  4. "The Happy Feet of Al "Crazy Legs" Norman". Travalanche. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
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