Early life and career
The son of the Rabbi of the Talmud Torah Synagogue (now Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah) in Washington, D.C., Jolson became a popular singer in New York City in 1898, and gradually developed the key elements of his performance: blackface makeup; exuberant gestures; operatic-style singing; whistling and directly addressing his audience.
By 1911, he had parlayed a supporting appearance in the Broadway musical La Belle Paree into a starring role. He began recording and was soon internationally famous for his extraordinary stage presence and personal rapport with audiences. His Broadway career is unmatched for length and popularity, having spanned close to 30 years (1911-1940). Audiences shouted, pleaded, and often would not allow the show to proceed, such was the power of Jolson's presence. At one performance in Boston, the usual staid and conservative audience stopped the show for 45 minutes. He was said to have had an "electric" personality, along with the ability to make each member of the audience believe that he was singing only to them. However, he is best known today for his appearance in one of the first "talkies" The Jazz Singer, the first feature film with sound to enjoy wide commercial success, in 1927. In The Jazz Singer Jolson performed the song "Mammy" in blackface. In truth, Jolson's singing was never jazz, indeed his style remained forever rooted in the vaudeville stage at the turn of 20th century.
Jolson is the first music artist to sell over 10 million records. While no official Billboard magazine chart existed during Jolson's career, their staff archivist Joel Whitburn used a variety of sources such as Talking Machine World's list of top-selling recordings, and Billboard's own sheet music and vaudeville charts to estimate the hits of 1890-1954. By his reckoning, Jolson had the equivalent of 23 No. 1 hits, the 4th-highest total ever, trailing only Bing Crosby, Paul Whiteman, and Guy Lombardo. Whitburn calculates that Jolson topped one chart or another for 114 weeks.
Among the many songs popularized by Jolson were "You Made Me Love You," "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody," "Swanee" (songwriter George Gershwin's first success), "April Showers," "Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye," "California, Here I Come," "When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin' Along," "Sonny Boy" and "Avalon."
Jolson was a political and economic conservative, supporting Calvin Coolidge for president of the United States in 1924 (with the ditty "Keep Cool with Coolidge") unlike most other Jews in the arts, who supported the losing Democratic candidate, John William Davis.
Jolson was married to actress/dancer Ruby Keeler from 1928 to 1940, when they divorced. The couple had adopted a son, Al Jolson Jr., during their marriage, but when he was 14 the boy changed his name to Peter Lowe after his mother's second husband, John Lowe.
After leaving the Broadway stage, Jolson starred on radio. The Al Jolson Show aired 1933-1939, 1942-1943, and 1947-1949, and these shows were typically rated in the top ten. Jolson continued performing until his death in 1950.
The Jolson story
After the success of Warner Bros. film Yankee Doodle Dandy about George M. Cohan, Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky believed that a smiliar film could be made about Al Jolson -- and he knew just where to pitch the project. Harry Cohn may have seemed to a lot of people in Hollywood like a crude, loud vulgarian, but he had one soft spot: he loved the music of Al Jolson.
Skolsky pitched the idea of an Al Jolson biopic and Cohn agreed to it. Directed by Alfred E. Green (best known today for the pre-Code masterpiece Baby Face, The Jolson Story is one of the most entertaining of the musical biopics of that era -- an era that included Yankee Doodle Dandy, Till the Clouds Roll By, Words and Music and Three Little Words. With Jolson providing almost all the vocals, and actor Larry Parks playing Jolson, The Jolson Story was released in 1946, and became one of the biggest hits of the year. Parks received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and the film became one of the highest grossing films of the year.
"The Jolson Story," and its 1949 sequel "Jolson Sings Again," led to a whole new generation who became enthralled with Jolson's voice and charisma. Jolson, who had been a popular guest star on radio since its earliest days, now had his own show, hosting the "Kraft Music Hall" from 1947-1949, with Oscar Levant as a sardonic piano-playing sidekick. Despite such singers as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como being in their primes, Jolson was voted the "Most Popular Male Vocalist" in 1948 by a Variety poll. The next year, Jolson was named Personality of the Year by the Variety Clubs of America. When Jolson appeared on Bing Crosby's radio show, he attributed his receiving the award to his being the only singer not to make a record of Mule Train, which had been a widely covered hit of that year (four different versions, one of them by Crosby, had made the top ten on the charts).
Jolson joked that he'd tried to sing the hit song. "I got the clippetys all right, but I can't clop like I used to."
Jolson's legacy is considered by many to be severely neglected today because of his use of stage blackface, at the time a theatrical convention used by many performers (both white and black), but today viewed by many as racially insensitive. Jolson was billed as "The World's Greatest Entertainer," which is how many of the greatest stars (including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Jackie Wilson) referred to him. Charles Chaplin wrote in his Autobiography that he was one of the most electrifying entertainers he had ever seen. A life-long devotion to entertaining American servicemen (he first sang for servicemen of the Spanish-American War as a boy in Washington, D.C.) led Jolson, against the advice of his doctors, to entertain troops in Korea in 1950 when his heart began to fail.
Death
Jolson died on October 23, 1950, in San Francisco at a card game, at the age of 64, apparently of a heart attack, and was interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California, where a statue of Jolson beckons visitors to his crypt. On the day he died, Broadway turned off its lights for 10 minutes in Jolson's honor.
Al Jolson has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:
1. For his contribution to the motion picture industry at 6622 Hollywood Blvd.;
2. For his contribution to the recording industry at 1716 Vine St.;
3. For his contribution to the radio industry at 6750 Hollywood Blvd.
Forty-four years after Jolson's death, the United States Postal Service acknowledged his contribution by issuing a postage stamp in his honor. The 29-cent stamp was unveiled by Erle Jolson Krasna, Jolson's fourth wife, at a ceremony in New York City's Lincoln Center on September 1, 1994. This stamp was one of a series honoring popular American singers, which included Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Ethel Merman, and Ethel Waters. Al Jolson is one of Mr. Burns' (from The Simpsons) favorite actors - he still believes that he is alive.
Jolson's song I'm Sitting on Top of the World was played during the opening montage of 1930's New York City in the 2005 remake of King Kong.
In August of 2006, Al Jolson had a street in New York named after him.
The Old Piano Roll Blues
Al Jolson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Old Piano Roll Blues.
We're sittin' at an upright, my sweetie and me,
Pushin' on the pedals makin' sweet harmony.
When we hear rinkety-tink, and we hear Plinkety-plink
We cuddle closer it seems.
And while we kiss kiss, kiss, kiss, away all our cares,
The player piano's playing razz-a-ma-tazz.
The Old Piano Roll Blues.
But We, Played the Piano Roll Blues
We sat there and began to play
My sweetie and me
We sat there pushing on the pedals making sweet harmony
But we, cuddle closer it seems
It seems just like a dreamin'
While we kiss, kiss, kiss, our cares all away
The player piano's playing razz-a-ma-tazz.
But we, wanna hear it again
Those Piano Roll Blues
I wanna hear it again, I wanna hear it again,
The Old Piano Roll Blues.
The Old Piano Roll Blues.
We sat there and began to play
We're sittin' at an upright, my sweetie and me,
We sat there pushin' on the pedals makin' sweet harmony.
When we hear rinkety-tink, and we hear Plinkety-plink
We cuddle closer it seems.
Cuddle closer it seems
Its like a dreamin while we kiss kiss kiss away all our cares.
The player piano's playing razz-a-ma-tazz.
I wanna hear it again, just hear it again
The Old Piano Roll Blues
The Old Piano Roll blues
The Old Piano Roll blues
The Old Piano Roll Blues is a classic love song about the joys of listening and playing on a player piano. The lyrics are from the perspective of a couple who are sitting together, playing the piano and enjoying each other's company. They express their desire to hear the "Old Piano Roll Blues" again and again, as it brings them closer together and makes them forget all their worries.
The song's lyrics are nostalgic, reflecting a simpler time when player pianos were a common form of entertainment. The instrument was incredibly popular in the late 19th and early 20th century and was often found in saloons, theaters and dance halls. The song captures the spirit of the times and reflects a longing for the past. It evokes a sense of romanticism, with the couple expressing their love for each other amidst the strains of the piano's tune.
The lyrics are also notable for their use of onomatopoeia, with the words "rinkety-tink" and "plinkety-plink" used to describe the sound of the player piano. This helps to create a playful and whimsical atmosphere and adds to the overall sense of joy and happiness that the couple feels while listening to the music.
Overall, The Old Piano Roll Blues is a timeless classic that captures the essence of a bygone era. It celebrates the simple pleasures of life and the joy of music and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna hear it again, I wanna hear it again,
Expressing the desire to listen to the song The Old Piano Roll Blues again
The Old Piano Roll Blues.
Referring to the song being played on a player piano with a piano roll
We're sittin' at an upright, my sweetie and me,
Sitting together at a vertical piano
Pushin' on the pedals makin' sweet harmony.
Playing the piano pedals to create a pleasant melodious sound
When we hear rinkety-tink, and we hear Plinkety-plink
Noticing the distinctive sound produced by the piano roll as it plays
We cuddle closer it seems.
Drawing physically nearer to each other as the piano music fills the air
And while we kiss kiss, kiss, kiss, away all our cares,
Kissing intimately, lost in the moment and forgetting all our troubles
The player piano's playing razz-a-ma-tazz.
The style of the music being played on the piano roll is characterized by an energetic, lively and upbeat style.
But We, Played the Piano Roll Blues
Having played the same song on the piano, referring to a personal rendition of it.
It seems just like a dreamin'
Feeling like a momentous dream or fantasy while caught up in the piano's melody
I wanna hear it again, just hear it again
Reaffirming the desire to listen to The Old Piano Roll Blues song repeatedly
The Old Piano Roll blues
Repeating the title of the song to solidify its significance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CY COBEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Wolfhoundersful
I wanna hear it again [2x]
The old piano roll blues
We're sittin' at an upright, my sweetie and me
Pushin' on the pedals makin' sweet harmony
When we hear rinkety-tink, and we hear Plinkety-plink
We cuddle closer it seems
And while we kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, away all our cares
The player piano's playing razz-a-ma-tazz
I wanna hear it again [2x]
The old piano roll blues
But we played the piano roll blues
We sat there and began to play
My sweetie and me
We sat there pushing on the pedals making sweet harmony
But we cuddle closer it seems
It seems just like a dreamin'
While we kiss, kiss, kiss, our cares all away
The player piano's playing razz-a-ma-tazz
But we wanna hear it again
Those piano roll blues
I wanna hear it again [2x]
The old piano roll blues [2x]
We sat there and began to play
We're sittin' at an upright, my sweetie and me
We sat there pushin' on the pedals makin' sweet harmony
When we hear rinkety-tink, and we hear plinkety-plink
We cuddle closer it seems
Cuddle closer it seems
Its like a dreamin
While we kiss kiss kiss away all our cares
The player piano's playing razz-a-ma-tazz
I wanna hear it again, just hear it again
The old piano roll blues [3x]
@rubyann179
They are not forgotten- March 15-2022. Still a treat to hear their voices.
@laurapollock778
Their voices blend so well together and their artistry is top notch. And it's a very catchy tune! :)
@shirl1pete2
I idolised Jolson and this tune was on the radio constantly during the post-war years. My Dad was a pub pianist and it was a favourite of his.
Brings back many memories of happy times and my much loved parents.
Thanks for posting it.
@josemariacagliolo5655
brillante e inolvidable Al Jolson.Lo he seguido desde la niñez,con su estilo único de canto.Bien merecido el mote de " Cantor del Jazz".He llegado a hacer la mímica de algunas canciones suyas : Swanee, Good Bye Tootsie,etc,pintado de Minstrel y filmado.Gracias por alegrar mi vida Al!
@hildabusciglio
que maravilla esta cancion de al jolson soy una admiradora desde que tenia 12 años , ahora tengo 81 pero sigo escuchandolo, me trae mucha nostalgia escucharlo
@jamesodonnell6399
Jolson way ahead of his time what a talent ,any likewise talent came from him for instance Bobby Darin what can you say this is brilliant
@maureen1938
I LOVE this superb share. A Jolson was a wonderful entertainer and the Andrew Sisters were GREAT....Thanks for posting this on here !
@geraldnedarc1488
Pure Heaven... My favorite Jolson song...Simple but great. We used to have an 'upright' in the study room in London, England, My Dad was a Jolson lover.
@janwilliams1270
Al's voice was unique and wonderful. One singer came close to al jolson in tone of voice and he was leon redbone who specialized in vintage, classic music. I loved jolson since I saw the jolson story as a kid.
@jamesodonnell6399
The most profound thing that occurred in my young life I realized that Jolson could sing anything ,I wish I could have lived in his era ,excitement plus I did live in his latter years so missed so much ,thanks too U Tube his history isn't lost