Frankie Yankovic
Frankie Yankovic (July 15, 1915 Davis, West Virginia - October 14, 1998) wa… Read Full Bio ↴Frankie Yankovic (July 15, 1915 Davis, West Virginia - October 14, 1998) was a polka musician. Known as America's Polka King, he was the premier artist to play in the Slovenian style.

Of Slovenian descent, he was from Cleveland, Ohio. Yankovic released over 200 recordings in his career. In 1986 he was awarded the first ever Grammy in the Best Polka Recording category.

Yankovic seldom strayed from the Slovenian-style polka, but did record with country singer Chet Atkins, pop singer Don Everly, and a version of the “Too Fat Polka” with comedian Drew Carey, also from Cleveland.

Yankovic enlisted in the Armed Forces in 1943, and cut some records while on leave, prior to his departure for Europe. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where a severe case of frostbite nearly resulted in the amputation of his hands and feet; fortunately, he was able to beat the gangrene before that became necessary, and was awarded a Purple Heart. He became an accomplished accordion player.

Yankovic was not related to "Weird Al" Yankovic, but Al did play accordion for "Who Stole the Kishka" on one of Frankie's final records, Songs of the Polka King, Vol. 1.

Yankovic died in New Port Richey, Florida due to heart failure.

Trivia

"Pennsylvania Polka," performed by Frankie Yankovic, was played (numerous times) in the film "Groundhog Day."
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Frankie Yankovic Lyrics


3 O'Clock In The Morning It's three o'clock in the morning We've danced the whole nig…
Beer Barrel Polka Roll out the barrel, We'll have a barrel of fun Roll…
Blue Bird Waltz I wandered alone one night, till I heard and orchestra…
Happy Wanderer I love to go a-wandering Along the mountain track And as…
I Love To Polka I wake up With my eyes shut tight Hoping tomorrow will never…
In Heaven There Is No Beer In Heaven there is no beer That's why we drink it…
Let's Have a Party Let's have a party, a party tonight, We'll bring the music…
Milwaukee Polka Beer from Milwaukee The very best in town It makes you so…
My Melody of Love Somewhere, my love there will be songs to sing Although the…
Neapolitan Nights Twilight is falling in fair Italy Stars kiss the sky Night s…
No Beer Today On Sunday afternoon, I was driving through this town, And al…
Pennsylvania Polka Strike up the music the band has begun The Pennsylvania Polk…
Polka Pal Polka Beer from Milwaukee The very best in town It makes you so…



Red Raven Polka I love to Polka When I'm dancing with my sweetheart I will…
Somewhere My Love Somewhere, my love there will be songs to sing Although the…
Strip Polka This is the strip polka I adore this ? There's a burlesq…
The Blue Skirt Waltz I wandered alone one night, till I heard and orchestra…
The Happy Wanderer I love to go a-wandering Along the mountain track And as…
Too Fat Polka Fat and weak, what a disgrace Guess the champ got too…
True Love I wake up With my eyes shut tight Hoping tomorrow will never…
You Are My Sunshine The other night, dear As I lay sleeping I dreamed I held…
You're My Girl You're my girl the boys all know, you're my girl,…


Mark Carling


on Ten Swedes

Ten Swedes, by Mack H. Kay, performed by Frank Yankovic

Verse 1:
Ten Swedes met in Brooklyn
A more congenial lot never gathered in one spot.
And while they met in Brooklyn,
They filled the place with glee,
But here’s what’s bothered me -

CHORUS:
They had one drink. They hollered, “Skoal!”
And then the ten Swedes shook hands all around.
Another drink. Another, “Skoal!”
And then the ten Swedes shook hands up and down.
They had four more, while I kept score.
And after each one then, they’d all shake hands again.
It bothers me. Can’t get it right.
How many handshakes did the ten swedes make that night?

Verse 2:
Was it 90? Or 300? Who can figure up the toll?
Those ten Swedes have got me looney
With their handshakes and their skoal!
Let nobody leave this gathering
While the answer’s still in doubt.
Have another drink and then
Lets sing this song again.
Maybe you can figure out.

Repeat Chorus

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