Dardanella

"Dardanella" is a popular song published in 1919 by Fred Fisher, who wrote the lyrics for the music written by Felix Bernard and Johnny S. Black.

For the theatre company, see Dardanella (theatre company).
"Dardenella"
Sheet music cover, 1919
Song
Published1919
Songwriter(s)Composer: Felix Bernard, Johnny S. Black
Lyricist: Fred Fisher

Bandleader Ben Selvin (1898–1980) recorded "Dardanella" for several record labels (including Victor and Paramount), and by some estimates, his recordings of the tune sold a combined total of more than five million copies.[1] His main recording was made for Victor on November 20, 1919 under the name of Selvin's Novelty Orchestra.[2] It was released a week later and began to sell really well in December 1919 to top the charts in January 1920.

The chorus is:

Oh sweet Dardanella
I love your harem eyes
I'm a lucky fellow
To capture such a prize
Oh Allah knows, my love for you
And he tells you to be true
Dardanella, Oh hear my sigh
My Oriental
Oh sweet Dardanella
Prepare the wedding wine
There'll be one girl in my harem
When you're mine
We'll build a tent
Just like the children
Of the Orient
Oh, sweet Dardanella
My star of love divine![3]

Other successful recordings in 1920 were by Prince's Orchestra, Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra, and Henry Burr and Albert Campbell.[4]

Notable subsequent recordings were by Acker Bilk and His Paramount Jazz Band (included in his album A Stranger No More);[5] by Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong on their 1960 album Bing & Satchmo, and by Geoff Muldaur and Maria Muldaur on their 1974 Warner/Reprise album, "Sweet Potatoes," featuring Amos Garrett.

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 379. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  2. "THE ONLINE DISCOGRAPHICAL PROJECT". 78discography.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  3. Fisher, "Dardanella".
  4. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 490. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  5. "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.

Bibliography
  • Fisher, Fred (w.); Felix Bernard/Johnny S. Black (m). "Dardanella" (Sheet Music). New York: McCarthy & Fisher (1919).
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.