“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.
Tu-Li-Tulip Time
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Horace Heidt
He said, "This is tu-li-tu-li-tu-li
Tu-li-tu-li-tu-li-tulip time"
She said, "yes it's tu-li-tu-li-tu-li
Tu-li-tu-li-tu-li-tulip time"
Then they talked about the weather,
They agreed it's tu-li-tu-li-tu-li
Tu-li-tu-li-tu-li-tulip time
He said, "Are you truly truly truly
Truly truly truly truly truly mine
With a kiss she sighed "forever"
You can hardly blame them,
You would do the same in
Tu-li tulip time!
The Andrews Sisters's song Tu-Li-Tulip Time is a delightful ditty which details a romantic tale between two young lovers. The song begins with the male protagonist declaring that they are in the midst of "tu-li-tu-li-tu-li tu-li-tu-li-tu-li tulip time". The phrase "tu-li-tu-li-tu-li" is used as a sort of onomatopoeic representation of birdsong, which is often heard during the springtime.
The female lover agrees, and the two quickly begin discussing the weather. However, as the lyrics explain, "their heads were close together", which suggests a certain level of intimacy between the two. The male protagonist then asks if she truly loves him, and with a kiss, she replies "forever". The song concludes with a gentle reminder that "you would do the same in tu-li tulip time".
Overall, the song is a simple and charming ode to young love, and the joy and excitement that comes with springtime. The use of onomatopoeia and bright, upbeat instrumentation lend the song a cheerful and optimistic tone, which is further enhanced by the Andrews Sisters's signature close-harmony vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
He said, "This is tu-li-tu-li-tu-li
Tu-li-tu-li-tu-li-tulip time"
He expressed that this moment is the perfect time to admire tulips with the repetitive phrase 'tu-li-tu-li-tu-li'.
She said, "yes it's tu-li-tu-li-tu-li
Tu-li-tu-li-tu-li-tulip time"
She agreed with him that this is the time to enjoy tulips by repeating the same phrase.
Then they talked about the weather,
But their heads were close together,
They conversed about the weather, but their proximity hinted towards a deeper connection.
They agreed it's tu-li-tu-li-tu-li
Tu-li-tu-li-tu-li-tulip time
They both acknowledged that this moment is the ideal time to appreciate the beauty of tulips.
He said, "Are you truly truly truly
Truly truly truly truly truly mine
He asked if she was truly his with the repetition of the word 'truly'.
With a kiss she sighed "forever"
She replied with a kiss and whispered that she would be his forever.
You can hardly blame them,
You would do the same in
Tu-li tulip time!
The songwriter implies that anyone would fall in love on a beautiful day like this, surrounded by lovely tulips.
Writer(s): Jack Lawrence, Maria Grever Copyright: Range Road Music Inc.
Contributed by Nolan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Linda Easley
I heard this for the first time on an old time music radio station the other day and loved it !
Debra Brown
Thanks for sharing. Nice catchy vintage tune for sure.
Joyce Wadzinski
I found this song on IG reels for my tulips and me and my kiddo had to find it!
Lady Grinch
Exactly the same 😆
cherixis
OMG, same hahah but for my friend and me in a garden