Not that Daddy deliberately tried to teach me songs, but he was likely at any time to break into spontaneous song as I was growing up, and some of them couldn't help but settle into my head. Oftentimes, especially if we were going someplace in the car, my mom would join in and sing along. In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably tell you that if he lost his temper, Daddy could break into a round of cussing just as spontaneously, although my mom didn't join in at those times.
I often sing to the baby, especially if I'm rocking her to sleep. It's amazing the old songs that come to mind when it's just me and her (and sometimes Cliff, in the background). Mostly old hymns nobody sings any more, but a little while ago "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" came to mind, and I sang what little I remember of it.
I told Cliff, "That's a song my dad sang when I was a little kid. I'll bet it was popular then."
I did a Google search and learned at THIS LINK that it was a top-ten hit in 1949; I would have been five years old. Merv Griffin was the vocalist, which surprised me. I only know him as a daytime talk show host. My dad is the one I remember singing it.
I learned in my searching that the song has been in several movies since then, but I only know it from Daddy singing it.
I only remember Merv as a talk show host too. Was he married to Eva Gabor? And for the record, I don't ever remember seeing your dad lose his temper!
ReplyDeleteI knew Merv Griffin was a vocalist. But I never heard this song before. LOVED it.
ReplyDeleteGreat memory! My Daddy didn't sing. Mama did. And most all of the songs she sang originated in old movies from the 30's and 40's. I have heard this, in one of those old movies.
ReplyDeleteI remember Mom would sing,Behind the red door and The little green man. Daddy would sing Purple people eater!!! Funny how they come to mind after all these years...
ReplyDeleteI have heard that song before and can only imagine it was from an old movie. I rarely heard my mom sing and don't remember ever hearing my dad sing.
ReplyDeleteI remember that song! Never heard it sung that way though. It was interesting to look at Merv's mouth while singing it in that manner - like it was a tongue twister.
ReplyDeleteHe was one of the people who introduced me the "talk show." I liked him and Phil Donahue.
Special memories of parents are always nice.
Haven't heard that song in many a moon. My Daddy used to sing Goodnight Irene Good Night, maybe because my Mama's middle name was Irene.
ReplyDeleteMost kids today would probably recognize it from Lion King.
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