The Dipsy Doodle
Bea Wain/Larry Clinton & His Orchestra Lyrics
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The dipsy doodle will get in your hair
And if it gets you, it couldn't be worse
The things you say will come out in reverse
Like "You love I and me love you!"
That's the way the dipsy doodle works.
You can't eat, you can't sleep. You go crazy.
You're just a victim of the dipsy doodle
It's your heart that's at fault - not your noodle.
You better listen and try to be good
And try to do all the things that you should
The dipsy doodle will get you some day
And when it gets you the things you will say
Like the moon jumped over the cow - hey diddle!
That's the way the dipsy doodle works.
The lyrics of "Dipsy Doodle" describe a phenomenon where a certain state of mind or feeling can cause a person to speak or act in a way that seems irrational or backwards. The song warns listeners to be aware of the "dipsy doodle," which is described as something that "will get in your hair." If the dipsy doodle gets a hold of you, the things you think, say, or do, will come out in reverse, like saying "you love I and me love you."
The lyrics suggest that the dipsy doodle can affect a person's heart, causing them to act crazy and become a victim of their own impulses. The song advises listeners to try to be good and do what they should, or else they too will fall victim to the dipsy doodle's effects. The dipsy doodle is compared to a child's nursery rhyme through the phrase "hey diddle," which emphasizes the foolishness that comes with being affected by it.
Overall, this song suggests that the dipsy doodle is something to be avoided, a state of mind that causes confusion and irrationality. The lyrics serve as a warning to listeners to avoid certain silly and backward behavior that occurs when one is under the spell of the dipsy doodle.
Line by Line Meaning
The dipsy doodle is the thing to beware
Be cautious of dipsy doodle.
The dipsy doodle will get in your hair
It will influence you deeply.
And if it gets you, it couldn't be worse
Its impact will be disastrous.
The things you say will come out in reverse
Your words will be jumbled.
Like "You love I and me love you!"
You'll speak in an illogical manner.
That's the way the dipsy doodle works.
It operates just like that.
You can't eat, you can't sleep. You go crazy.
It will have a major impact on your mental and physical health.
You're just a victim of the dipsy doodle
You're helpless against it.
And it's not your mind that's hazy
It's not your mental faculties that are impaired.
It's your heart that's at fault - not your noodle.
It's your emotions that are affected.
You better listen and try to be good
Be attentive and attempt to avoid it.
And try to do all the things that you should
Try to do what's right.
The dipsy doodle will get you some day
You'll be affected by it eventually.
And when it gets you the things you will say
Your words will be mixed up.
Like the moon jumped over the cow - hey diddle!
You'll speak in a nonsensical manner.
That's the way the dipsy doodle works.
It has a specific mode of operation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LARRY CLINTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RatPfink66
© MCMXXXIX = 1939
This could have been shot late 1938 or during much of 1939. Let's see if we can figure out approximately when, and who's on the band. I'll be referencing Rust's American Dance Bands 1st ed., 1975.
Ford Leary and Bea Wain are our singers. Ford joins Clinton in September 1938 and Wain is gone before June 1939, so that narrows things down. I recognize Ford's section mate Joe Ortolano, with Larry March '38-August '39, and lead alto Mike Doty, who was there from October '38-July '39. Leo White, Larry's 3d alto/hot clarinet from March '38-July '39, is here too.
So who's playing the two hot tenors? My pick for Chant of the Jungle is not Tony Zimmers, who played on the Victor recording, but Fred Falensby, who's on many Joe Haymes recordings in 1935-'36 and recorded with Clinton in June-July '39. The 4th tenor on the dates with Doty, White, and Falensby is Wolfe Taninbaum (aka Wolfe Tayne, later a well known mouthpiece maker). He's as good a guess as any for the solo spot on Get Happy.
Things are made a little more complex by Clinton's absence from the Victor studios in January-June 1939. But since Bea Wain is here - and was gone when Larry resumed recording - let's take the liberty of putting it in the early part of that period.
That would give us 4 possible trumpeters for our section of 3: Walter Smith (an excellent hot man, ex-Casa Loma and George Hall), Ivor "Snapper" Lloyd, Steve Lipkins and Jimmy Sexton. The rhythm section changed little in the time frame: Bill Straub, Jack Chesleigh, Walter Hardiman (or Hank Wayland after June) and Henry Adler.
Larry himself occasionally plays a bit of section trumpet (his main instrument) or trombone. And there, I suspect, you have our orchestra. A mighty fine outfit - something for which Larry Clinton could always be counted on.
And a special nod to The Six Philhamonicas, one of many amazing harp ensembles of that era. Left to right they are Joe Pitello, Charlie Leighton, "Joe Jazz," Joe Mullendore, Charlie Pitello and leader Harry Halicki. (That's right, 3 Joes, 2 Charlies.)
Basil Peewit
Tony Zimmers on tenor sax is fantastic!
clxyton
Joost Kiefte Who is the guy on the alto sax?
Basil Peewit
@clxyton Ben Feman or Steve Benorick
La White
@clxyton Leo White
Paolo Piccardo
Mike Doty
Basil Peewit
@Paolo Piccardo looked up a pic in Bunny's band, and it's Mike Doty indeed!
Emily Pozi
jean tyler is absolutly amazing
Charles Slater
At 6:49, we see Gower Champion, (of 'Marge & Gower Champion' fame) dancing to the Arthur Schwartz melody 'Dancing in the Dark.
General
I just L O V E BIG BAND MUSIC !!! It has CLASS...unlike that junk they make a noise with of today! The COUNTRY is even LAME ! Mono-note mess. I played bigband music for my grandson and he perked up. I helped raise him and gave his ears good holsome music. He likes Johnny Horton stuff, too.
THANK YOU for the ppst
ВАЗ
Nice music!! Russia like this!