“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.
Muskrat Ramble
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ramblin' scramblin' headin' for town
Hustlin', bustlin' buzzin' around
Happily awaitin' at the station
Look at that train number 709
It's a fuffin' and a puffin and comin' on time
Who do you think is about to arrive
Da da da da dumb
Da da da da dumb
Da da da da da da da da dumb
They're gonna play that muskrat ramble tune
You never heard it played, join in the big parade
Altogether now one and two join that happy throng
Feel the beat of that ramblin', scramblin' musdrat song
Come on and ramble along
Look at them a shufflin' shufflin' down
Ramblin' scramblin' headin' for town
Hustlin', bustlin' buzzin' around
Happily awaitin at the station
See that 709
Huffin' and puffin on time
Who do you think's about to arrive
The band they call the Dixieland Five
Da da da da dumb
Da da da da dumb
Da da da da da da da da dumb
They're gonna play that muskrat ramble tune
You never heard it played, join in the big parade
Altogether now one and two join that happy throng
Feel the beat of that ramblin', scramblin' musdrat song
Come on and ramble along
The Andrews Sisters' song "Muskrat Ramble" describes a lively scene at a train station where a band called the Dixieland Five is set to perform. The song's opening verse details the anticipation and excitement of the crowd as they wait for the band's arrival, conveyed through the repetition of "shufflin', scramblin', and hustlin'" down to the station. The arrival of the train, "number 709," marks the imminent performance of the Dixieland Five as it's "fuffin' and a puffin'" and on time. The chorus then prompts the audience to join the big parade and participate in the muskrat ramble tune that the band will play. The tune is described as "ramblin', scramblin'", conveying the upbeat and playful spirit of Dixieland jazz music – which is highlighted through the rhythm section's staccato "Da da da da dumb" interjections.
The song's focus on Dixieland jazz is reflected not only in the identity of the band, but also in the musical style, which was popular in the early 20th century. Dixieland jazz originated in New Orleans and is known for its joyful and improvisational use of instruments like trumpets, trombones, and clarinets. The call and response between the vocals and the instrumental sections of "Muskrat Ramble" is a common feature of Dixieland jazz performances.
Line by Line Meaning
Shufflin', shufflin', shufflin' down
Walking in a carefree manner towards the destination
Ramblin' scramblin' headin' for town
Moving around haphazardly and making way to the city
Hustlin', bustlin' buzzin' around
Being busy and active with excitement
Happily awaitin' at the station
Waiting with joy and enthusiasm at the station
Look at that train number 709
Observing the train labeled 709
It's a fuffin' and a puffin' and comin' on time
The train is making a loud and rhythmic sound, arriving on schedule
Who do you think is about to arrive
Guessing the identity of the approaching someone
It's the band they call the Dixieland Five
The arriving group of musicians is commonly referred to as the Dixieland Five
Da da da da dumb
The buzzing sound of the Dixieland Five's instruments
They're gonna play that muskrat ramble tune
The band is going to perform the song called muskrat ramble
You never heard it played, join in the big parade
Assuring the audience that even if they have not heard the song before, they can still participate in the performance
Altogether now one and two join that happy throng
Encouraging everyone to sing and dance together with joy and delight
Feel the beat of that ramblin', scramblin' musdrat song
Enjoying the rhythm of the muskrat ramble song
Come on and ramble along
Join in the fun and keep the festivities going
Look at them a shufflin' shufflin' down
Observing the people walking happily
Ramblin' scramblin' headin' for town
Making way to the city while in a carefree manner
Hustlin', bustlin' buzzin' around
Being active and excited with the events happening around them
Happily awaitin' at the station
Waiting with great satisfaction and excitement at the station
See that 709
Noticing the train labeled 709
Huffin' and puffin' on time
Exhaling deeply and loudly, arriving punctually
Who do you think's about to arrive
Wondering about the identity of the people arriving
The band they call the Dixieland Five
Confirming the identity of the approaching group of musicians
Da da da da dumb
The sound of music made by the Dixieland Five
They're gonna play that muskrat ramble tune
The group of musicians is going to perform the song called muskrat ramble
You never heard it played, join in the big parade
Encouraging everyone to join in the performance even if they have not heard the song before
Altogether now one and two join that happy throng
Asking everyone to sing and dance together with joy and happiness
Feel the beat of that ramblin', scramblin' musdrat song
Experience the rhythm and lively tune of the muskrat ramble song
Come on and ramble along
Be a part of the fun and festive atmosphere
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Gilbert, Edward Ory
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@renee999999999
The Andrews Sisters are truly amazing. If only there were more singers like them now.
@MorriganQueen451
man, i love this music
@georgesoros6415
There are actually many women's amateur quartets that make the dear Andrews sisters look like mooks.
For the era, though, they set a very high standard.
@PapiSnugAF
Interesting do you have any I can listen to?
@bramvandenberk9074
@@PapiSnugAF The poor man posted this 5 years ago. He probably has dementia by now
@tlw1950
I don’t get the monk reference.