Early life
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis, Jr. was born in New York City, New York to Elvera Sanchez (1905-2000)[1], a Puerto Rican tap dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr. (1900-1988), an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. During his lifetime Sammy Davis, Jr. stated that his mother was Puerto Rican and born in San Juan.[2] As a child he learned how to dance from his father and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy, for instance. When Davis served in the United States Army during World War II however, he was confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open."
Career
While in the service, however, he joined an integrated entertainment Special Services unit, and found that the spotlight removed some of the prejudice. "My talent was the weapon, the power, the way for me to fight. It was the one way I might hope to affect a man's thinking," he said.[3]
Sammy Davis, Jr. (left) with Roy Wilkins (right) at the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C.
After he was discharged, Davis rejoined the dance act which played at a wide variety of spots around Portland Oregon, and began to achieve success on his own as he was singled out for praise by critics. The next year, he released his second album. The next move in his growing career was to appear in the Broadway show Mr. Wonderful in 1956.
In 1959, he became a member of the Rat Pack, which was led by his old friend Frank Sinatra, and included such fellow performers as Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Shirley MacLaine. Initially, Sinatra called the gathering of fast-living friends "the Clan," but Sam voiced his opposition, saying that it invoked thoughts about the Ku Klux Klan. Sinatra renamed the group "the Summit"...but nevertheless, the media kept on calling it the Rat Pack all along.
Davis was a headliner at The Frontier Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for many years, yet was required to accept accommodations in a rooming house on the west side of the city, rather than reside with his peers in the hotels, as were all black performers in the 1950s. For example, no stage dressing rooms were provided for black performers, so they were required to wait outside by the swimming pool between acts. [4]
During his early years in Las Vegas, he and other African-American artists like Nat King Cole and Count Basie could entertain on the stage, but often could not reside at the hotels at which they performed, and most definitely could not gamble in the casinos or go to the hotel restaurants and bars. After he achieved superstar success, Davis refused to work at venues which would practice racial segregation. His demands eventually led to the integration of Miami Beach nightclubs and Las Vegas casinos. Davis was particularly proud of this accomplishment. [5]
Although James Brown would claim the title of "Hardest Working Man in Show Business," the argument could be made that Sammy Davis, Jr. deserved it more. For example, in 1964 he was starring in Golden Boy at night and shooting his own New York-based afternoon talk show during the day. When he could get a day off from the theater, he would either be in the studio recording new songs, or else performing live, often at charity benefits as far away as Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas, or doing television variety specials in Los Angeles. Even at the time, Sam knew he was cheating his family of his company, but he couldn't help himself; as he later said, he was incapable of standing still.
Although still a huge draw in Las Vegas, Davis' musical career had sputtered out by the latter years of the 1960s, although he had a #11 hit (#1 on the Easy Listening singles chart) with "I've Gotta Be Me" in 1969. An attempt to update his sound and reconnect with younger people resulted in some embarrassing "hip" musical efforts with the Motown record label.[6] But then, even as his career seemed at its nadir, Sammy had an unexpected worldwide smash hit with "Candy Man". Although he didn't particularly care for the song and was chagrined that he was now best known for it, Davis made the most of his new opportunity and revitalized his career. Although he enjoyed no more Top 40 hits, he did enjoy some extra popularity with his performance of the theme song from the T.V. series Baretta (1975-1978) which was not released as a single but was given extensive radio play and he remained a successful live act beyond Vegas for the remainder of his career. He would still occasionally land television and film parts, including high profile visits to the All in the Family series playing himself. In the 1970s, he also appeared in a series of memorable commercials in Japan for Suntory whiskey.
On December 11, 1967, NBC broadcast a musical-variety special entitled Movin' With Nancy. In addition to the Emmy Award-winning musical performances, the show is famous for Nancy Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. greeting each other with a kiss, one of the first black-white kisses in U.S. television history.[7]
In Japan, Davis appeared in television commercials for coffee, and in the U.S. he joined Sinatra and Martin in a radio commercial for a Chicago car dealership.
Davis was one of the first male celebrities to admit to watching television soap operas, particularly the shows produced by the American Broadcasting Company. This admission led to him making a cameo appearance on General Hospital and playing the recurring character Chip Warren on One Life to Live for which he received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1980. He was also a game show fan, making a cameo on the ABC version of Family Feud in 1979, and hosting a question with Richard Dawson watching from the sidelines. He appeared on Tattletales with third wife Altovise Davis in the 1970s. He also made a cameo during an episode of the NBC version of Card Sharks in 1981.
Davis was an avid photographer who enjoyed shooting family and acquaintances. His body of work was detailed in a 2007 book by Burt Boyar. "Jerry [Lewis] gave me my first important camera, my first 35 millimeter, during the Ciro's period, early '50s," Boyar quotes Davis. "And he hooked me." Davis used a medium format camera later on to capture images. Again quoting Davis, "Nobody interrupts a man taking a picture to ask... 'What's that nigger doin' here?' ". His catalogue of photos include rare shots of his father dancing onstage as part of the Will Mastin Trio. Also, intimate snapshots of close friends: Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Nat "King" Cole and Marilyn Monroe. His political affiliations also were represented in his images of: Robert Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. His most revealing work comes in photographs of wife May Britt and their three children, Tracey, Jeff and Mark.
(Credit Wikipidia.org)
Bang! Bang!
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I am smiling)
All lined up in a wedding group
'Ere we are for a photograph
We're all dressed up in a morning suit
All trying hard not to laugh
Since the early caveman in his fur
There's always been a photographer
To record the 'appy scene
'Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture
What a picture, what a photograph
Poor old soul, blimey, what a joke
Hat blown off in a cloud of smoke
Clap 'ands, stamp yer feet
Bangin' on the big bass drum
What a picture, what a picture
Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum-pum
Stick it in your fam'ly album
(Thanks very much, one more picture, hold it)
The same thing 'appened long ago
When man was in his prime
And what went on we only know
From the snaps he took at the time
When Adam and Eve in their birthday suit
Decided to get wed
As Adam was about to taste the fruit
The man with the cam'ra said
'Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture
What a picture, what a photograph
Poor old Eve, there with nothing on
Face all red and 'er fig leaf gone
Clap 'ands, stamp yer feet
Bangin' on the big bass drum, W-e-e-a-ay
What a picture, what a picture
Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum-pum
Stick it in your fam'ly album
(Thanks very much, one more picture, hold it)
You've read it in a folio
Or seen it in a Shakespeare play
How Juliet fell for Romeo
In the merry month of May
And as 'e climbed the orchard wall
To reach 'is lady fair
As he tumbled, she began to bawl
As he floated through the air
'Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture
What a picture, what a photograph
Poor young chap, what a night 'e spent
Tights all torn and 'is rapier bent
Clap 'ands, stamp yer feet
Bangin' on the big bass drum, W-e-e-a-ay
What a picture, what apicture
Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum-pum
Stick it in your fam'ly album
(One more picture, hold it)
King 'Enry the Eighth had several wives
Including Anne Boleyn
And he kept an album of their lives
With all their photos in
As Anne Boleyn was on her knees
Dressed in her very best frock
King 'Enry shouted, "Smile, Dear, please"
As 'er 'ead rolled off the block
'Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture
What a picture, what a photograph
Comes the print in a little while
Lost 'er 'ead, but she kept 'er smile
Clap 'ands, stamp yer feet, Ye-e-a-y
Bangin' on the big bass drum
What a picture, what a picture
Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum-pum
Stick it in your fam'ly album
(Thank you very much, one more picture, hold it)
When Napoleon married Josephine
There was just the same to-do
He galloped home from the battle scene
All the way from Waterloo
And as he came from orf 'is 'orse
To the boudoir where she sat
She said to 'im, in French of course
As he took of his big cocked 'at
'Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture
What a picture, what a photograph
There she was, with a big Hussar
All caught up in 'er oh-la-la
Clap 'ands, stamp yer feet, Ye-e-a-y
Bangin' on the big bass drum
What a picture, what a picture
Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum-pum
Stick it in your fam'ly album
Stick it in your fam'ly
Stick it in your fam'ly
In your fam'ly album
The song "Bang! Bang!" by Sammy Davis Jr. is a hilarious take on the history of photography and how it has captured a range of moments throughout history. The lyrics take us through various iconic moments from the past, including weddings, Adam and Eve's wedding and fall, Romeo and Juliet's romance, Anne Boleyn's beheading, and Napoleon's marriage. The emphasis throughout the song is on capturing the perfect shot and the comical moments that often occur during such an occasion. The chorus urges us to "Hold it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture" and to "stick it in your family album."
The lyrics of "Bang! Bang!" reflect the changing nature of photography and the way it has impacted our lives. The song humorously captures the idea that photography is more than just capturing a moment; it's about creating a memory that can be revisited time and time again. Additionally, the song reflects on how photography has captured some of the most memorable and amusing moments in history. From Romeo falling off the wall to Anne Boleyn losing her head, the song highlights how photography has helped us remember even the most bizarre moments in history.
Line by Line Meaning
(Smile please, all smile, you too, Sir)
The photographer is asking the wedding group to smile for the camera.
All lined up in a wedding group
The wedding group is standing in a line for a photograph.
'Ere we are for a photograph
The group is present to take a photograph.
We're all dressed up in a morning suit
The group is wearing formal attire for the wedding.
All trying hard not to laugh
The group is holding back laughter so they can take a serious photograph.
Since the early caveman in his fur
Photography has been capturing memories for a long time.
Took a trip to Gretna Green
Even back in ancient times, people traveled for weddings and photos.
There's always been a photographer
Photographers have been around since the earliest days of photography.
To record the 'appy scene
Photographers take pictures to preserve happy events.
'Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture
The photographer is giving directions to take the photo and capture the moment.
Poor old soul, blimey, what a joke
One of the group members has done something funny.
Hat blown off in a cloud of smoke
The wind blew a hat off the person's head and created a cloud of smoke.
Clap 'ands, stamp yer feet
The group is getting excited and showing enthusiasm for the photo.
Bangin' on the big bass drum
The group is making noise and creating a celebratory atmosphere.
What a picture, what a picture
The photographer is pleased with the photo and how it came out.
Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum
A nonsensical phrase to add rhythm to the song.
Stick it in your fam'ly album
Put the photo in your family album to remember the moment.
(Thanks very much, one more picture, hold it)
The photographer is thanking the group and requesting one more photo.
The same thing 'appened long ago
Taking photos at weddings has been going on for a long time.
When man was in his prime
Referring to a long time ago when man was at his best or most advanced.
And what went on we only know
Only through looking at old photos and documents can we understand what happened.
From the snaps he took at the time
He recorded the events with photos at that time.
When Adam and Eve in their birthday suit
Adam and Eve were naked at their wedding.
Decided to get wed
Adam and Eve got married.
As Adam was about to taste the fruit
A reference to the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit.
The man with the cam'ra said
The photographer instructed them to stop for a photo before taking the bite.
Poor old Eve, there with nothing on
Eve was captured in the photo without any clothes on.
Face all red and 'er fig leaf gone
Eve was embarrassed and trying to cover herself up.
Clap 'ands, stamp yer feet
The people around them were excited and enthusiastic about the event.
W-e-e-a-ay
A sound of celebration or triumph.
Stick it in your fam'ly album
Add the photo to your family album to remember the event.
(One more picture, hold it)
The photographer is requesting one more photo after the previous one.
You've read it in a folio
The story that is about to be told is a classic, well-known tale.
Or seen it in a Shakespeare play
The story is likely a plot point in one of Shakespeare's plays.
How Juliet fell for Romeo
A reference to the love story between Romeo and Juliet.
In the merry month of May
The event occurred in May, which is associated with love and weddings.
And as 'e climbed the orchard wall
Romeo had to climb a wall to reach Juliet's balcony.
To reach 'is lady fair
Romeo was trying to reach Juliet.
As he tumbled, she began to bawl
Romeo fell while climbing the wall, and Juliet was upset.
As he floated through the air
An exaggeration to add to the comedic nature of the song.
Poor young chap, what a night 'e spent
Romeo likely had a difficult time getting home after his fall.
Tights all torn and 'is rapier bent
Romeo's clothing was damaged from his fall.
Ye-e-a-y
A sound of excitement or celebration.
Stick it in your fam'ly album
Add the photo to your family album to remember the event.
(One more picture, hold it)
The photographer is requesting one more photo after the previous one.
King 'Enry the Eighth had several wives
A reference to Henry VIII and his many wives.
Including Anne Boleyn
One of his wives was Anne Boleyn.
And he kept an album of their lives
Henry had an album to remember his wives and their lives.
With all their photos in
The album contained many photos of the wives.
As Anne Boleyn was on her knees
Anne was captured in a photo in a position of subservience.
Dressed in her very best frock
Anne was wearing her best dress for the occasion.
King 'Enry shouted, "Smile, Dear, please"
Henry asked Anne to smile for the photo.
As 'er 'ead rolled off the block
Anne was beheaded shortly after the photo was taken.
Comes the print in a little while
The photo will be developed and printed for Henry soon.
Lost 'er 'ead, but she kept 'er smile
Even in her final moments, Anne smiled for the camera.
Ye-e-a-y
A sound of excitement or celebration.
Stick it in your fam'ly album
Add the photo to your family album to remember the event.
(Thank you very much, one more picture, hold it)
The photographer is thanking the group and requesting one more photo.
When Napoleon married Josephine
When Napoleon Bonaparte married Josephine.
There was just the same to-do
The wedding was also a big production.
He galloped home from the battle scene
Napoleon rushed home from battle to be with Josephine.
All the way from Waterloo
Waterloo was the site of one of Napoleon's most famous battles.
And as he came from orf 'is 'orse
Napoleon got off his horse upon returning home.
To the boudoir where she sat
Josephine was waiting for Napoleon in her boudoir.
She said to 'im, in French of course
Josephine spoke French to Napoleon.
As he took of his big cocked 'at
Napoleon removed his large military hat.
There she was, with a big Hussar
Josephine was pictured with a big Hussar, likely a member of Napoleon's military.
All caught up in 'er oh-la-la
Josephine was very excited and happy to see Napoleon.
Ye-e-a-y
A sound of excitement or celebration.
Stick it in your fam'ly album
Add the photo to your family album to remember the event.
Stick it in your fam'ly
Add the photo to the family album.
In your fam'ly album
The album where all of these special photographs can be kept and treasured for all time.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID WILLIAM HENEKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CraftyAGaming
@Christian Johnson thats what i said...up above ....i said Frank used to pick on Sammy, at first, then stopped when Sammy heard about it, he grew to love Sammy, he would laugh at his black jokes, around the late 50s, you can see them in the makings of Ocean's. Frank was more protective of Sammy, he saved his life when he lost his eye entirely. He drove around white hospitals who refused to take him bc he was black, he had to find somewhere/one who could take him in privately. Frank practically saved his life, and missed Nancy's bday to get his eye fixed. I know this.
Frank got Sammy into the Friar's Comedy Club. Most ppl thought he was racist, until he met Sammy, he had his black-latin entourage, to prove he wasn't. I read this, and heard Quincy Jones talking about it, Q is one of those who was alot closer to Frank since the 60s, before Count Basie died, that album was and still is amazing. I have it still in my Ratpack collection, haha. Sorry yes I do know what you mean. I knew Frank knew of Sammy longer than he had known Dean, if memory serves, Frank was the one who introduced Sammy to HumpfBogey.
I've seen the Sands hotel live performances, i still adore the silver screen magic where the Rat Pack 5 were at their peak and Frank was obsessed with gaining a political stance with JFK, before the whole mob thing happened and ruined their claim to Hollywood and Frank lost a lot of respect, all bc he knew of Lucky Luciano, and freakin' Sam Giancana. Ppl tend to forget it only happened bc Giancana was obsessed with the Kennedy's, and Lucky didn't like that. What was it again, Gia said to get to JFK go through Frank, like WTH! Giacana was mad, and I truly don't believe idk, I think mayb I'm reading too much into it.
For what i've seen, read, viewed from my own pov. It's this. Ratpack 5 had this era from 50-90s. Almost 40y utmost....impossible? Unless u want Dean singing in your ear. Unusual? unless u want Sammy tap-dancing til dawn. Unbelievable, unless you wanna believe Frank tried to keep Dean and Sammy up all night long, bc he didn't wanna sleep alone, Dean knew how to stand up to Frank, Sammy knew how to be the center of them both, Joey was their referee, and Peter was literally the forgotten one, it wasn't Joey. Why ppl always said that, if it wasn't for Joey, we wouldn't have had Regis who was his protegee. Peter was never the same after Frank had him discredited, had him removed from nightclubs he performed in, otherwise he wasn't singing.
I don't think we will ever know if F/P ever really did reconcile. Peter did alot of drugs from 70s until his death, come his remaining days, he looked frail, ragged and unrecognizable. With respect, it wasnt as bad as Dean's ordeal, but least Dean had an excuse for letting himself go. Dean died of a broken heart in the end, but he was surrounded by the ppl who loved him the most. I still can't believed Deana and Craig, Mikey? and Gina are still going strong.
EMR
Now that's the prettiest sound.
You'll ever hear.
It's just like heavenly music to my ear.
Man I get such a boot.
When I hear rooty-toot-toot.
I always feel high.
When a rod is nearby.
Cause I like,
The fun of reaching for a gun and going bang bang.
I come alive.
Each time a forty-five.
Begins to bang bang.
In gangster movies.
I love that scene,
The nice guy's nice.
And the mean guy's mean.
The boss's moll.
Always steps between...
Quick draws.
Applause.
My kind of prank.
Is walking in a bank.
And going bang bang.
The ricochet.
A bullet play a melody.
Like shotgun seats.
At the Roscoe kit.
I'll be out to make history.
Cause no one,
I know,
Gets oh such a glow.
Out of bang bang...
Like me.
(Instrument solo)
Like pistol Joe.
And machine gun Moe.
Is the way I'm aiming to be.
Cause I'm not afraid,
To stage me a raid,
On some hangout.
And my gun will hum.
While I'm blasting some rival gang out.
Cause no one,
I know,
Gets oh such a glow.
Out of bang bang!
Like me!
Linda LLAP
I do not think Sammy sang a wrong note in his life. Such a talent!
Crys Dee
That jump at 3:25 is insane. He’s an athlete, gymnast, singer, dancer and comedian all at once!!
Jim Bruno
Don’t leave out fast can either. Not sure if you know but he was rated fastest gun in Hollywood amongst all the actors just another one of his accolades
Dani G
@Esteban Martire That's it, I was impressed by it, to change direction that fast, land on a bar, and keep dancing in time, that's a feat :)
nicklh186
Don't forget multi-instrumentalist 😌💕
oh yeah
With single eye only.....such a legend
--
Springboard.
Clifford young
Let's keep in mind, Sammy did all of this with one eye.
CraftyAGaming
@Christian Johnson thats what i said...up above ....i said Frank used to pick on Sammy, at first, then stopped when Sammy heard about it, he grew to love Sammy, he would laugh at his black jokes, around the late 50s, you can see them in the makings of Ocean's. Frank was more protective of Sammy, he saved his life when he lost his eye entirely. He drove around white hospitals who refused to take him bc he was black, he had to find somewhere/one who could take him in privately. Frank practically saved his life, and missed Nancy's bday to get his eye fixed. I know this.
Frank got Sammy into the Friar's Comedy Club. Most ppl thought he was racist, until he met Sammy, he had his black-latin entourage, to prove he wasn't. I read this, and heard Quincy Jones talking about it, Q is one of those who was alot closer to Frank since the 60s, before Count Basie died, that album was and still is amazing. I have it still in my Ratpack collection, haha. Sorry yes I do know what you mean. I knew Frank knew of Sammy longer than he had known Dean, if memory serves, Frank was the one who introduced Sammy to HumpfBogey.
I've seen the Sands hotel live performances, i still adore the silver screen magic where the Rat Pack 5 were at their peak and Frank was obsessed with gaining a political stance with JFK, before the whole mob thing happened and ruined their claim to Hollywood and Frank lost a lot of respect, all bc he knew of Lucky Luciano, and freakin' Sam Giancana. Ppl tend to forget it only happened bc Giancana was obsessed with the Kennedy's, and Lucky didn't like that. What was it again, Gia said to get to JFK go through Frank, like WTH! Giacana was mad, and I truly don't believe idk, I think mayb I'm reading too much into it.
For what i've seen, read, viewed from my own pov. It's this. Ratpack 5 had this era from 50-90s. Almost 40y utmost....impossible? Unless u want Dean singing in your ear. Unusual? unless u want Sammy tap-dancing til dawn. Unbelievable, unless you wanna believe Frank tried to keep Dean and Sammy up all night long, bc he didn't wanna sleep alone, Dean knew how to stand up to Frank, Sammy knew how to be the center of them both, Joey was their referee, and Peter was literally the forgotten one, it wasn't Joey. Why ppl always said that, if it wasn't for Joey, we wouldn't have had Regis who was his protegee. Peter was never the same after Frank had him discredited, had him removed from nightclubs he performed in, otherwise he wasn't singing.
I don't think we will ever know if F/P ever really did reconcile. Peter did alot of drugs from 70s until his death, come his remaining days, he looked frail, ragged and unrecognizable. With respect, it wasnt as bad as Dean's ordeal, but least Dean had an excuse for letting himself go. Dean died of a broken heart in the end, but he was surrounded by the ppl who loved him the most. I still can't believed Deana and Craig, Mikey? and Gina are still going strong.
CraftyAGaming
@Louis Love not really its actually on wikipedia, and his documentaries ive watched. magazine articles. memoirs, other books. im a ratpacker. but mostly doco's dont mention the lighter and positive side of the rat pack 5. most are outdated, or never up to date, or never researched and proven true. its so sad... its an embarrassment/disappointment to their legacy and to their children and their pedigrees.