In the mid-1970s, Venuti performed and recorded, again in the limelight: good examples of his latter-day recordings are the Chiaroscuro CD's Joe Venuti and Zoot Sims (CR(D) 142) and Joe & Zoot & More (CR(D)126). He died in Seattle, Washington.
Venuti was also a legendary practical joker.
Shine
Joe Venuti Lyrics
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Where a little ball o' rhythm has a shoe-shine stand
People gather 'round and they clap their hands
He's a great big bundle o' joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
The Chattanoogie shoe-shine boy
He charges you a nickel just to shine one shoe
You feel as though you wanna dance when he gets through
He's a great big bundle o' joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
The Chattanoogie shoe-shine boy
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
The way he makes it pop
You ought to see him fan the air
With his hoppity-hippity-hippity-hoppity-hoppity-hippity-hop
He opens up for business when the clock strikes nine
He likes to get up early when they're feelin' fine
Everybody gets a little rise 'n shine
With the great big bundle o' joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
The Chattanoogie shoe-shine boy
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
The way he makes it pop
Just listen to him fan the air
Here he goes!
He opens up for business when the clock strikes nine
He likes to get up early when they're feelin' fine
Everybody gets a little rise 'n shine
With the great big bundle o' joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
The Chattanoogie shoe-shine boy
The Chattanoogie shoe-shine boy
This song titled "Shine" by Joe Venuti is an upbeat and lively tune that describes a shoe-shine boy who is a great big bundle of joy. He operates his business at the corner of Forth and Grand, and people gather around watching him shine shoes while clapping their hands. He charges a nickel to shine one shoe and makes the oldest type of leather look new. When he finishes shining your shoes, you feel as though you want to dance along to the boogie woogie rhythm he pops on his rag. His shoe-shining technique is so great that it's a wonder that the rag doesn't tear as he makes it pop, and he fans the air with his hoppity-hippity-hippity-hoppity-hoppity-hippity-hop moves.
The shoe-shine boy of Chattanoogie is so devoted to his work that he opens up his shop when the clock strikes nine and likes to get up early when people feel fine. When customers come to him, they get a little rise and shine due to his excellent shining and boogie-woogie performance. This song, through its lively melody and descriptive lyrics, praises the shoe-shine boy's expertise and joyous personality, making listeners appreciate workers' dedication and hard work.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever passed the corner of Forth and Grand?
Have you ever walked by the intersection of Forth and Grand?
Where a little ball o' rhythm has a shoe-shine stand
Where a talented musician is working at his shoe-shine stand
People gather 'round and they clap their hands
Crowd gathers and applauds his music
He's a great big bundle o' joy
He's a happy-go-lucky person
He pops the boogie woogie rag
He plays a lively boogie woogie tune
The Chattanoogie shoe-shine boy
Referring to the shoe-shine boy's hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee
He charges you a nickel just to shine one shoe
He charges 5 cents for one shoe shine
He makes the oldest kind o' leather look like new
He restores the oldest and most worn-out leather shoes to a new-like condition
You feel as though you wanna dance when he gets through
His music gets you in the mood to dance
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
His vigorous shoe shining hasn't ripped the rag he's using
The way he makes it pop
The way he moves his rag is amazing
You ought to see him fan the air
You must witness how he waves his rag through the air
With his hoppity-hippity-hippity-hoppity-hoppity-hippity-hop
His rag movements are so good that people cheer and dance to it
He likes to get up early when they're feelin' fine
He likes to start his workday early when people are happy and energetic
Everybody gets a little rise 'n shine
Everyone gets some positive energy from the shoe-shine boy's lively tunes
Here he goes!
Here he starts playing his lively music again!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY STONE, JACK STAAP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Denham
An unlikely pairing - but it worked!