George Olsen & His Music - Doin' The Raccoon, 1928

[Turkeydoodlers]

This is the best version of this song, I have this and the one by Rudy vallee, both listed on my channel. But this ones my favorite

[rojoknox]

As an earlier commenter noted, this is the alternate take (issued in the US on RCA Victor LPV-549). Note the "signals" -- 31-69-84. On the originally issued take (Victor 21701-A), they are 48-69-37.

[johnohconnor]

It must of been an awesome time. Tks.

[Turkeydoodlers]

2 questions one where are you located? Are you in the us? And also are these records you have and put them on here? If so you have a nice record collection

[pfefferrucken]

This is really a great song.

I like this. Thanks.

[djdavemick]

Raccoons are one of my fave animals--and this is a great song!

[thekingof7]

@djdavemick i also enjoy racons thye alwys r eatin in theire garbge. haha

[UKISOCIETY]

Does anyone have the sheet music for this version! I'd like to perform a ukulele cover of this. Thanks!

[cosycleaner]

Yowza, Yowza!!

[glennmiller2005]

no shit. i got this record for free. it's a 1928 waxing. interesting, interesting haha. i had no idea

[dholm5058]

George Olsen is Great!! A glimpse into the Flapper Era ,which was damaging to women even though our education (oxymoron!!!) system teaches to the contrary.Silly times before the CRASH of '29 orchestrated by same CRIMINALS who have crashed the U.S. economy with housing derivatives in 2008. 80 years from this tune and we are in the same boat!! The people are SHEEP ready for slaughter like that poor raccoon. Sort of reminds you of the folks on the Titanic!

[glennmiller2005]

@dholm5058 it's everyone's faults that focus on sexism and racism either side that racism and sexism still exist. and raccoons eat trash, sheep eat grass and we cook our food.

[felixjazzage]

@dholm5058

Would you please get back on your meds? You're scaring the rest of us.

Great song, by the way...and very cute/clever lyrics.

[rogharm]

fabulous arrangement, great singer. great fidelity on the record. love this syncopation tune arrangement!!!!!!!**********RO­GHARM

[thelonelyslayer]

i almost bought a racoon coat on ebay because of this song. haha. but some jerk bought it out from under me. :-(

[thelonelyslayer]

Does anyone know where i can buy this version of the song? All i can find is that slow version.

[Shangas]

@thelonelyslayer I could send it to you, if you like...

[Fiftiesflashback]

RAZZ-MA-TAZZ!

[thelonelyslayer]

love the 1920s scene? visit twitter @Jazz_Craze or myspace/TheJazzzKing :-D

[patoman881]

in cihcago theyre lined with steel! Whose prepared to give that ole Bronx cheer! Raspberries for those who dont know:-)

[xnobozos]

I actually met George Olson and shook hands with him when I was a kid. I only knew him as the nice old man who owned a restaurant near my house where we ate sometimes. I had no idea he was such a well known figure from the 1920s and wished I had realized that at the time, I only became interested in this type of music later, after he passed away. I still pass the home that used to be his restaurant all the time. Thanks for posting this music.

[JohnJFentiman]

C'mon boys, snap into it!

[hep2jive]

you make youtube awesome!

[UncleCharlieOakley]

The title song from "Thoroughly Modern Millie" certainly borrowed from this one.

[bearcub410]

thanks love the 1920's so much and george olsen . born too late

[michaeljayklein]

I've not heard this in years! I love this one! Thanks for remembering it! Great stuff!

[fatsfan70]

When you've heard and enjoyed all the other versions of this 'collegiate' number, you have to come back to this one. Hear raccoons are thriving now in suburban USA even to the point of being a nuisance .... Payback Time!!

[1276epr]

you are quite right. But, we have yet to hear the Brunswick version, which, according to the internet discography, was recorded by Jesse Stafford's Orchestra. And I've got the Columbia version by Ben Selvin, which ain't that all memorable.

[fatsfan70]

Yes, the RHJ Archive lists the Stafford version on Brunswick 4129 12-4-28 but very tantalisingly printed in white not yellow! Maybe 240252 can dig it out from his endless collection and settle the issue?

[1276epr]

ps Oh God, yes, we are swimming in raccoons here on this side of the pond, both in suburbs and elsewhere, living in sewers and feasting on rubbish. You could easily be in the raccoon coat business here, fatsfan70!

[fatsfan70]

Yes, it's easy to think of raccoons as cheeky loveable masked rascals when they only live in our zoos - my wife would put food out for them if they were wild in the UK!

[fatsfan70]

1276epr, thought you might like to hear that a TV news item today reported a raccoon had been caught here in the New Forest. My wife is out buying tins of dogfood.

[fatsfan70]

1276epr, thanks very much for pointing me to the Jesse Stafford version posting by bsgs98.

It's a great recording and the pictures in high quality are superb. My loyalties are divided now - but I'll enjoy both! The Selvin version would add another raccoon to the pack! (Is that the collective?)

[retrochad]

I remember the first time I heard this song was on a 78 RPM record I got in Athens, Ohio years ago but I can't seem to find what I did with it. Thanks for posting this great version of it.

The version I had, had a quote from the "Yale Boola??" in it...it was something like Boola boola, boola boola, whats a matter with Alma Mater, boola boola, you're a fool-a, go to school-a, and do the raccoon!

[fromthesidelines]

Recorded on September 13, 1928 (originally issued in the U.S. on Victor #21701), with vocals by Fran Frey, Bob Borger, Bob Rice and Jack Gifford.

[Pogue76]

Does anyone like Bix Beiderbeck, cause I love him. But this song is great, love it.

[kingoliver45]

i just love this song!!! its so fun to sing along!!!

[cvwtzhaar]

A fun sounding record

[camaysar222]

As I read along in the 1928 sheet music, I see that the lyrics are a bit different here. George Olsen adds some, and also leaves out a good line: "Date a girl and start to hurry 'er, Right downtown to some big furrier (soon....)". Great period piece... thanks for posting!

[camaysar222]

Oh! He gets that line in at the end! Great!

[vpo2g2]

Beyond cool. Olsen was the best.

[AliceHatt]

Hahaha. I love this.

Ohmigoodnesseses. This is amazing.

[bearcub410]

I WAS BORN TO LATE THANKS!!!!!

[Eddy2730]

@bearcub410 Me too!

[slugpirate]

'Buy a coat and try it, I bet you'll be a riot' - I love it!

[jsteeber]

Waddya know - an alternate take!

[kspm01]

A classic Olsen tune, still just as great as ever.

[dzheger]

Is the 'Raccoon' one of those "Animal Dances" of the 20's? Where on earth do you find such appropriate illustrations to your uploads?

[2ekan]

How very charming.

[HarborGuy]

Before street gangs and teens shooting each other.  Crazy tunes and fashion is much more fun....