This is one of those songs you're going to hear from time to time. It has been covered by many many artists and it bound to be played to the end of time. Of all the versions I overheard my sister-in-law playing yesterday, I still think my favorite is the first one I remember hearing, the simple and pure ukulele version by Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters. The full scene is here, but you should really see the whole movie if you never have. It is hilarious to this day!
The song is well suited to the ukulele and thus has become a favorite for ukelele players as indicated by this instructional video by Janet Klein:
…and also by the awesome cover and video by Dario y Rocio:
However, the original version was sung by Gene Austin (and written by Lee David and Billy Rose) in 1927, and it is quite unlike its ukelele covers:
Some of the covers in the 1950s and 1960s pay tribute to the original version though and are well worth a listen if you like the song.
Here is a version by Patience and Prudence in 1956 that reached #4 on the Billboard charts ensuring this song would be covered over and over:
Here is a version by The Lennon Sisters in 1956 on the Lawrence Welk Show which also added some fuel to the fire:
Here is a great version by Nancy Sinatra (Frank Sinatra's daughter) in 1963:
Here is another by The Honeys in 1969:
Dottie West's country style cover in 1977 is also quite good:
And finally, the last version I'd like to point out is much more recent, released in 2008 by one of my recent obsession bands, The Bird and the Bee:
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest the music genre:
The MP3 may be purchased here… Steve Martin - The Jerk
