Johnny Long and his Orchestra - A Shanty in old Shanty Town

[mrrich1733]

Man, used to dance to this band at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Ohio 1955 to 1960

[bennyhappening]

@murphstrings Haile Salassie (Ras Tafari) was Emperor of Eithiopia 1930-74, last of the longest dynasty ever (of King Solomon). He was often celebrated in newsreels (traveling by air with caged lions aboard). He's referred to here as an exotic ruler (who rhymes with snazzy), probably NOT in connection Rastafarians with whom he holds massianic status, & started in Jamaica (where ghettos ARE shantytowns.

[bennyhappening]

@murphstrings A shanty is a makeshift hut. Shantytowns were all over the USA during the 1930's, but are now mainly found in third world regions. This song mainly says the protagonist misses his humble upbringing. Compare these jazzed lyrics to the original simpler lyrics.

[woodbell67]

LOVE THIS VERSION

[usefulmusic]

Lyrics at 1:04sounds like," I'd be just as hassy (sassy?) as Haile Selassie". What a rhyme!

[jcolbourn]

Great music. Johnny Long played at our Mt. St. Joseph senior prom Baltimore, MD in January 1947. We just stopped dancing, just to listen to Shanty town

[cvwtzhaar]

@jcolbourn It must have been great to see Long's ork in person.

[ChildofGod318]

These were the days, when people could actually sing with class and have a real meaning behind their lyrics besides drugs, sex, etc.

[murphstrings]

i also have this 78! is there a music historian out there who can tell us what this song is ABOUT? I Realize that songs this old get lost in the mists of time, along with the meanings. where is shanty town, the pier, why the Saliasi reference? so many old songs are full of very local things that most of us wouldnt catch. please help! i'm gonna include this song in my performances in nursing homes!

[cvwtzhaar]

@murphstrings A shantytown was a another name for "Hoovervilles". They were ramshackle shelters built by the homeless from various materials such cardboard, crates, scrap metal etc., during the Great Depression.

[cvwtzhaar]

@murphstrings A shantytown was a another name for "Hoovervilles". They were ramshackle shelters built by the homeless from various materials such cardboard, crates, scrap metal etc., during the Great Depression.

[monteleone1010]

@murphstrings The same could apply to the song "San", a very good Dixieland number of many decades ago.

The song referred to a former king of Senegal (San) who finally lost his gal. Yes, many old songs are full of local things and we have to do some research to find the real meaning of those things.

[moloch49]

I just love looking at these film clips when men looked like men, and women looked like women. Yesterday, in my college class, I was treated to rap ringtones, and one of my male classmates trotting along, blue jeans bagging dangerously down, exposing a fetching pair of dark plaid boxer shorts...

Where is that time machine, now that we need it? Please keep the REAL "music videos" coming - they are greatly appreciated!

[scotnick59]

my parents loved this record (and the video is terrific)

Thank-you!

[judyjahn]

another classic !

[Velaroye]

so charming.... all the men in the orchestra are singing. ... amazing.

that would be a p e r f e c t birthday present (for me)

[vandywilliam]

Isn't this taken from one of what were called "Soundies" (which were a circa 1948 primitive versions of modern-day music videos)?

[snorkelbda03]

So nice to see a big blonde archtop !

[radiopie]

Amazing! I've got the 78 of this song - it's so nice to finally put faces to those voices! I'm so glad you posted this!

[kinklesstetrode]

Nice sax work, cleaver arrangement. Love the words, just a sdance band should be.

[fredsr01]

This is my favorite song and johnny long plays it best, I played the trumpt as a kid and would try to copy his style , I new the words by heart, what memories this brings back!!!

[dholm5058]

I loved Johnny Long and his band after seeing him in the Abbott and Costello movie "Hit The Ice" with the gorgeous Ginny Simms,who sang with Kay Kyser and also was pursued by him as well as well as Louis B.Mayer to be their wife to no avail.Love this clip for its fun loving appeal similar to Sammy Kaye hit of "Daddy"

[kd7tmedon]

I am now 75 years old but when I was a kid I learned the words to this song.

Now to my suprise I can sing along without missing a word! WOW!

[radiovixen76]

My favorite tune from the big band era! Love how the orchestra is dressed in formal attire to perform a song about a shack on the wrong side of the tracks and blowing your top on beer. My grandma is 90 and goes around singing this song all the time. Thanks for the video

[highlandsh]

Another reference to Haile Selassie! How did he get into so many songs?

[jswaim89]

anyone seen 4th chair trumpet?

it's great.

[Poochna]

do you know where i can purchase this at!?!

[Poochna]

what a beautiful tune!!

i love it

[cvwtzhaar]

Glad you enjoyed it

[swinginkatz]

@Poochna Another Great  Band I danced to .