Formed to play proms in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the group originally consisted of the three McMichael brothers: tenors Judd (1906-1989) and Joe (1916-1944), and baritone Ted (1908-2001). They were discovered by singer-bandleader Eddie Dunstedter. In 1930 the McMichaels, after performing as The Mystery Trio and The Personality Boys, added a female lead singer, Cheri McKay, and changed their name to The Merry Macs.
In 1936 they appeared on several national radio programs, and Cheri McKay was replaced by Helen Carroll. (McKay trained her successor in the group's singing style.)
Vocal quartets had customarily harmonized like barbershop quartets. The Merry Macs revolutionized vocal harmony with closer harmonic chords. This style inspired other groups, like The Modernaires and Six Hits and a Miss. In 1938 The Merry Macs signed with Decca Records and recorded “Pop Goes the Weasel.” The Merry Macs (with Carroll) sang a swing version of "Down by the Old Mill Stream" in the 1939 Vitaphone musical Seeing Red, Red Skelton's first film.
In 1939 Mary Lou Cook (b. 1910) replaced Helen Carroll. This is the foursome that most listeners know from film appearances. The McMichael brothers and Cook appeared as a specialty act in Hollywood movies, including 1940's Love Thy Neighbor, and Universal Pictures gave The Merry Macs their own feature-film series in 1941. Their most famous film is Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942), an Abbott and Costello comedy in which The Merry Macs offer musical interludes. At the time, Mary Lou was married to actor Elisha Cook, Jr.; evidently there were problems because Mary Lou ended both her marriage and her affiliation with The Merry Macs at about the same time.
Marjory Garland (1923-1991) replaced Mary Lou Cook after Ride 'Em Cowboy was filmed. The Merry Macs continued to score on the hit parade; their rendition of "Mairzy Doats" was a best-seller. Garland, who later married Judd McMichael, remained with the group until the 1960s.
Youngest brother Joe McMichael served in the armed forces and was killed in 1944. He was replaced by Clive Erard, then Dick Baldwin, and finally Vern Rowe. The foursome of Judd, Ted, Marjory and Vern continued performing until they retired from show business in 1964.
Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai
The Merry Macs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
If you wander into any cabaret
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
The Merry Macs's song Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai is a catchy melody originating from Hawaii. It was started by a local native down in Waikiki, who would often gather crowds down beside the sea to play his gay Hawaiian chant. The song's popularity spread like wildfire, and soon other little natives started singing and hula hula maidens started swinging to it. Comparing it to a tropical storm, that's how the song hit every scene it was played in.
The lyrics have a simplistic structure, and the words play around with Hawaiian phrases like "Ow way tah tualan Me big bad fightin' man." Despite being rooted in Hawaii, the song surprisingly became quite popular in places like Tennessee or Ioway, and if you were to enter any cabaret, you could hear this gay Hawaiian chant.
In conclusion, The Merry Macs's song Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai is a fun song that will bring the sunshine of Hawaii to anyone who listens to it. The lyrics are easy to follow, and the cheerful tune is sure to put a smile on your face.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sunny little funny little melody
There is a happy and cheerful melody.
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
This melody was originally created by a native person in Waikiki.
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
The person who created this melody would gather a group of people near the ocean.
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
They would play his joyful Hawaiian song.
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
Other native people soon started singing this song.
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
The hula hula dancers started dancing to this song.
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
This song became popular very quickly, like a sudden tropical storm.
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
This is a cheerful and amusing Hawaiian song.
Ow way tah tualan Me big bad fightin' man
This is a made-up phrase, meant to sound like Hawaiian language, but with no real meaning.
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
Although this song originated on a Hawaiian island.
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
This song is also very popular in places like Tennessee or Iowa.
If you wander into any cabaret
If you go into any entertainment venue.
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
You will hear this cheerful and lively Hawaiian song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JOHNNY NOBLE, RALPH FREED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
music girl
on Jingle, Jangle, Jingle
People bop their heads and hum along to these oldies, often not realising what the song's actually about.