Easy listening arranger and composer. Hugo Winterhalter was born August 15, 1909 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, later studying violin and reed instruments at the New England Conservatory of Music. After graduating, he taught school for several years before turning professional during the mid-1930s, serving as a sideman and arranger for Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Raymond Scott, Claude Thornhill and others. Winterhalter also arranged and conducted sessions for singers including Dinah Shore and Billy Eckstine, and in 1948 he was named musical director at MGM Records. After a two-year stint with the label, he moved to Columbia Records, where he scored a hit with his orchestral reading of "Blue Christmas."
In 1950, Winterhalter signed on with RCA Victor, where he arranged sessions for artists including Perry Como, Eddie Fisher and the Ames Brothers; he also recorded several instrumental albums, among them 1952's Great Music Themes of Television, one of the first collections of TV theme songs ever recorded. Winterhalter also notched a series of chart hits, including "Blue Tango," "Vanessa," "The Little Shoemaker" and "Song of The Barefoot Contessa"; with pianist Eddie Heywood, he even reached the number two spot with 1956's "Canadian Sunset."
Winterhalter remained with RCA until 1963, at which time he moved to Kapp; that same year, he also penned the main title theme for the film Diamond Head. At Kapp he recorded a handful of albums including The Best of '64 and its follow-up, The Big Hits of 1965, before leaving the label to work on Broadway. He later worked in television as well, and continued recording the occasional LP for various budget labels. Winterhalter died in Greenwich, Connecticut on September 17, 1973.
Hawaiian War Chant
Hugo Winterhalter Lyrics
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That was started by a native down in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
If you wander into any cabaret
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
The lyrics to Hugo Winterhalter's song Hawaiian War Chant depict a joyous, light-hearted melody that originates from a native in Waikiki. The song is said to have been started by a native who would gather crowds down by the sea to play on his instrument. Soon, other natives began to sing it, and hula hula maidens would dance to it. The song has a powerful effect, much like a tropical storm, and the rhythm and melody encourage people to dance and enjoy themselves.
The lyrics also mention a "big bad fightin' man" who sings "Ow way tah tualan". This is a reference to the traditional hula chant that was danced by warriors before they went into battle. The chant was meant to increase their strength and frighten their enemies. The lyrics show how the Hawaiian culture has incorporated music and dance into every aspect of their lives, from battle preparation to everyday entertainment. The song itself conveys the joy and happiness of the Hawaiian people, and how they use music to spread that joy to others.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sunny little funny little melody
A cheerful and amusing melody exists
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
It was originally composed by a native of Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
The composer would gather people at the seaside
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
They would play the composer's upbeat Hawaiian chant
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
Other locals began to sing the tune
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
The hula hula performers started dancing to it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
It became wildly popular suddenly like a storm from the tropics
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
A humorous and lively Hawaiian chant
Ow way tah tualan Me big bad fightin' man
A phrase that adds to the rhythm of the chant
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
Even though it originates from an island in Hawaii
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
It has gained popularity across the United States, from Tennessee to Iowa
If you wander into any cabaret
If you visit any nightclub or entertainment venue
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
There's a high likelihood that this lively chant will be played
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JOHNNY NOBLE, RALPH FREED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind