Today we feature individual comedic songs by a variety of artistes from the 1940’s.
“Everything Stops For Tea” As always, nothing in music is ever that simple, and a song about England’s favourite beverage has only the most tenuous connection with it. “Everything Stops For Tea” was composed by the New York born Maurice Sigler, has lyrics by fellow New Yorker Al Goodheart and Russian born American Al Hoffman. It was performed in the first instance by Jack Buchanan, who in spite of his impeccable English accent was actually a Scotsman. It was featured in the 1935 musical Come Out Of The Pantry, which was set in New York, but Buchanan also made a separate recording with a cameo introduction.
“You Can’t Blame Me for That” is a song by Max Miller. Miller (billed as The Cheeky Chappie), was an English comedian often considered the greatest stand up of his generation. He recorded many songs, some of which he wrote. He appeared frequently on radio, but television did not really suit his style. He appeared and starred in 14 feature films. He was known for his flamboyant suits, his wicked charm, and his risqué jokes often led to difficulties with the censors.
“Nobody Loves A Fairy When She’s Forty” is a song written by Arthur Le Clerq who was a British songsmith from the 1930s, responsible for several, mainly novelty, hits. It was made famous by Tessie O’Shea and became a regular part of her act. O’Shea was reared in the British music hall tradition and performed on stage as early as age six, billed as “The Wonder of Wales”. Convalescing after a serious illness in Weston-super-Mare, one day on the beach, the young O’Shea wandered off from her mother into the tent of a troupe of travelling performers and was only discovered when her mother recognised her singing Ernie Mayne’s “An N’Egg and some N’Ham and some N’Onion”.
“The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” is a song consisting of a melody by American composer John Walter Bratton, written in 1907, and lyrics added by Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy in 1932. It remains popular as a children’s song, having been recorded by numerous artists over the decades. Kennedy lived at Staplegrove Elm and is buried in Staplegrove Church, Taunton. Local folklore has it that the small wooded area between the church and Staplegrove Scout Hut was the inspiration for his lyrics. The first vocal version was recorded in 1932 on BBC Radio by Henry Hall with his BBC Orchestra, with Val Rosing singing Kennedy’s lyrics.
