“Patty Andrews, the lead singer of the Andrews sisters group was born in Mound, Minnesota on February 16, 1918 in a house that occupied the property where The Gillespie Center stands today.
During the 1920’s Laverne, Maxene and Patty Andrews spent their summers in Mound, living with their parents in a house across the street from the grocery store that was owned by Pete and Ed Sollie, bachelor uncles of the three girls. (Today, Green T Accounting occupies the Sollie grocery store building and The Gillespie Center is on the land where the Andrews Sisters’ house once stood.)” - From a commentary by Tom Rockvam that appeared in The Laker Newspaper during 2005.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films (including a few Abbott and Costello features), and performed for soldiers serving overseas. Their first film with Abbott and Costello, the pre-war comedy Buck Privates, introduced their best-known recording, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which would win Best Song at the Academy Awards.
They also recorded many songs with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and other popular artists of the era. Their popularity was such that after the war they discovered that some of their records had actually been smuggled into Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. They broke up in 1953, with Patty's choice to go solo. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967 at the age of 55.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxene and Patty appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxene releasing a solo album in 1986. Their most notable comeback; however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: "Over Here!" which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974. The musical featured the two then living sisters (Maxene and Patty) and was written with them in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many, now notable theater and film icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Ann Reinking, et al). Ironically it was the last major hurrah of the sisters and was cut short due to a frivolous lawsuit initiated by Patty's husband to the show's producers.
Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The last of the three sisters Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
Gimme Some Skin
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You like my style
Well, why don't you make me know it?
You like my walk
You like my talk
Well, there's only one way to show it
If you want to shake my hand
Stick your hand right out and shout
Gimme some skin, my friend
Step right up and take your stand
You don't have to be timid
Stick your hand right out and shout
Gimme some skin, my friend
Smack it
Wack it
Let your hand rotate
Show it
Blow it
Put it in your pocket till a future date
If you want to shake my hand
Like they do it in Harlem
Stick your hand right out and shout
Gimme some skin, my friend
If you like my style
Well show it
If you like my smile
Let me know it
If you like my walk
Please tell me
If you like my talk
Well, skin me papa, skin me
If you want to shake my hand
Like they do it in Harlem, baby
Stick your hand right out and shout
Gimme some skin, my friend
Step right up and take your stand
You don't have to be timid, baby
Stick your hand right out and shout
Gimme some skin, my friend
Smack it
Wack it my friend
Let your hand rotate
Show it
Blow it
Put it in your pocket till a future date
Step right up (what for) and shake my hand
Like they do it in Harlem today, (how do they do it)
Just stick your hand out and give out with the shout
Gimme some skin, my friend
If you want to shake my hand
Like they do it in Harlem
Stick your hand right out and shout
Gimme some skin
Gimme some skin
Gimme some skin, my friend
The Andrews Sisters's song Gimme Some Skin My Friend is an upbeat, playful number that celebrates the simple pleasure of showing appreciation for someone else. The lyrics describe a situation where the singer is aware that their smile, style, walk, and talk have caught the attention of another person who seems to really like them, but has not expressed it openly. The singer urges the other person to make their interest known by "shaking hands" in the same manner that is customary in Harlem, where the so-called "skin game" involves a lot of physical expression, theatricality and fun.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of being upfront and honest about one's feelings, and not being afraid to show appreciation or affection. By playfully encouraging the other person to "smack it, wack it", "let their hand rotate", and "show it, blow it, or put it in their pocket till a future date", the song turns a simple gesture of a handshake into a playful game that can be enjoyed by anyone. Furthermore, the song's energetic, almost military-styled rhythm and call-and-response structure invite the audience to join in and have fun, making it a perfect choice for parties or other social gatherings.
Line by Line Meaning
You like my smile
You appreciate my positive energy and expression
You like my style
You admire my unique personal aesthetic
Well, why don't you make me know it?
Go ahead and express your appreciation to me directly
You like my walk
You enjoy the way I move and carry myself
You like my talk
You appreciate my words and communication style
Well, there's only one way to show it
The best way to demonstrate your appreciation is by taking action
If you want to shake my hand
If you want to greet me or show respect
Like they do it in Harlem
In the manner and style of the Harlem community
Stick your hand right out and shout
Extend your hand and make the greeting enthusiastic
Gimme some skin, my friend
Give me a high five, a handshake or show me some respect
Step right up and take your stand
Approach me with confidence and assertiveness
You don't have to be timid
You should not be afraid or nervous
Smack it
Give my hand a firm slap
Wack it
Hit my hand playfully
Let your hand rotate
Twist your hand around mine
Show it
Be expressive and enthusiastic about the greeting
Blow it
Give me a fist bump or other form of greeting
Put it in your pocket till a future date
Save the greeting or appreciation for later
If you like my style
If you appreciate my personal aesthetic
Well show it
Express your admiration in some way
If you like my smile
If you appreciate my positive energy and expression
Let me know it
Tell me about your admiration or appreciation
Please tell me
Share your thoughts with me openly and honestly
Well, skin me papa, skin me
An expression of surprise or excitement that emphasizes the need for attention or recognition
Step right up (what for) and shake my hand
Move forward and greet me
Just stick your hand out and give out with the shout
Extend your hand and make the greeting enthusiastic
Gimme some skin
Give me a high five, a handshake or show me some respect
Gimme some skin
Give me a high five, a handshake or show me some respect
Gimme some skin, my friend
Give me a high five, a handshake or show me some respect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GENE DE PAUL, RED MACK, DON RAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jocelysperez5073
This type of music is such a stress reliever.
@paulgianni6218
That's precisely what I heard from the bos when I started playing this at work.
@veronicaviljoen2257
Agree it also good for cleaning lol
@baxterjones2021
So True!!!!!
@baxterjones2021
So True!!!!!
@baxterjones2021
So True!!!!!
@alexuliasz9724
It's so amazing to watch them preform. The energy just radiates off of them. And how cool is it that the taping during the dance scene actually compliments the stellar Instrumental section. The talent is just unbelievable.
@sywedis4019
Right On my Friend! Music like this, based on the numerous tunes coming from spirituals and black culture, presented the white generation who grew-up in the 1930's a new direction from the all-white "sweet bands" of the 1920's musical traditions. Embracing the Andrew Sisters for their spin on black music traditions, white dancers and record buyers supported the shift in this kind of music. Imitation is the most sincerely form of flattery they say. My folks learned racial tolerance by admiring black culture not hating it. White as they were, the Andrew Sisters none the less knew the history of the music they performed.
@manchadeltigre
@@sywedis4019 Daughters of a greek father and a norwegian mother
@katkinghere
I'm 22 and I adore old jazz, big band and swing. I did a lot of these songs for various talent shows and such. I also sing Peggy Lee at karaoke everytime and it's very popular. This is my absolute favourite genre of music, hands down. Thank you to this wonderful generation for carrying it on to me. <3