"Strip Polka" is a 1942 novelty song with music and lyrics by Johnny Mercer.[1] The music incorporates a polka beat; the lyrics are about Queenie, a burlesque performer who longs to quit her job and retire to life on a farm.[2][3]
Its use in the film Navy Blues (1941) was prevented as a result of Joseph Breen's memo to Jack Warner regarding the low moral tone of the lyrics.[4][5][6]
The first recording of "Strip Polka", which featured the vocals of Mercer, Phil Silvers, and Margaret Whiting, with piano by Jimmy Van Heusen, and an arrangement by Paul Weston, was a significant early hit (charting at #7) for Capitol Records, selling more than a million copies.[7][8][9][4]
The recording by The Andrews Sisters came in at #2 on Variety's list of bestselling songs despite censors only allowing the song to play on the radio for nine or ten weeks.[3] A version by Alvino Rey was popular.[10]
The song was popular with U.S. troops during World War II.[11]
Recordings
edit- Johnny Mercer with Phil Silvers, Margaret Whiting, and Jimmy Van Heusen (Capitol, 1942)[4][12]
- Kay Kyser with vocals by Jack Martin (Columbia, 1942)[13][6]
- The Andrews Sisters (Decca, 1942)[14][6]
- Alvino Rey with vocals by The Four King Sisters (Bluebird, 1942)[6][15]
In other media
edit- Elke Sommer on The Dean Martin Show in 1969.[16]
- In Faces (1968)[17]
- Island at War episode "Unusual Successes"
References
edit- ^ Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1971). Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series.
- ^ Furia, Philip; Patterson, Laurie J. (2022). The Poets of Tin Pan Alley. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-090646-7.
- ^ a b Shteir, Rachel (2004). Striptease: The Untold History of the Girlie Show. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-530076-5.
- ^ a b c Eskew, Glenn T. (2013-11-15). Johnny Mercer: Southern Songwriter for the World. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 978-0-8203-3330-4.
- ^ Zimmers, Tighe E. (2021-05-07). That's Entertainment: A Biography of Broadway Composer Arthur Schwartz. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-7881-8.
- ^ a b c d Mercer, Johnny; Kimball, Robert; Day, Barry; Kreuger, Miles; Davis, Eric (2009-10-20). The Complete Lyrics of Johnny Mercer. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-26519-7.
- ^ Lees, Gene (2009-08-19). Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-48969-2.
- ^ Weston, Paul; Stafford, Jo. Song of the Open Road: An Autobiography and Other Writings. BearManor Media.
- ^ Gavin, James (2015-10-06). Is That All There Is?: The Strange Life of Peggy Lee. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4516-4179-0.
- ^ Johnson, Vincent (1942-10-28). "Peel Wheel Not for Turntable in Case of Airing Strip Polka". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 28. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
- ^ "Survey Shows Troops Aren't Singing Much". The Daily Tribune. 1943-12-28. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
- ^ Furia, Philip (2004-12-09). Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-4668-1923-8.
- ^ Orodenker, M.H. (5 September 1942). "On the Records". The Billboard. p. 20. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ Nimmo, H. Arlo (2007-04-17). The Andrews Sisters: A Biography and Career Record. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3260-8.
- ^ "National and Regional Best Selling Retail Records". The Billboard. 26 September 1942.
- ^ "David Janssen Dean's Guest". The Shreveport Journal. 1969-09-19. p. 38. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
- ^ Cassavetes, John (1970). Faces. New American Library.