Valaida Snow - My Heart Belongs To Daddy (Cole Porter), 1939

Valaida (Valaida Snow) was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1903 and was part of a musical family along with her sisters, the similarly named Alvaida and Lavaida. She turned professional entertainer at the age of 15. During the 1920s she was part of various musical reviews including the Sissle-Blake show "The Chocolate Dandies" that toured the United States and then went overseas. During the 1930s she was a big part of the touring revue "Blackbirds" and then the famous Noble Sissle-Eubie Blake musical show "Rhapsody In Black". Valaida Snow even appeared in some feature films in the late 1930s that were made for Black audiences, and she also did extensive touring with the Will Mastin Trio.

Valaida then went on an extended tour of Europe in 1939. Not keeping informed of the deteriorating situation in Western Europe in the early nineteen forties, resulted in a devastating event in the life of Valaida Snow. While appearing in Denmark with her all-girl orchestra, she was taken prisoner by the army of Nazi Germany and sent to a concentration camp named Wester-Faengler. She remained in captivity for nearly two years until she was freed in a prisoner swap with the allied forces. She returned to New York and attempted to put her life back in order again.

Yet, the psychological and physical trauma had a deep effect on the life of her and she was never the same again. She tried to get her performing talent back together and regain her fame as an arranger, vocalist, and trumpet stylist. But in June 1956 Valaida dies of a cerebral hemorrhage backstage at the Palace Theater in New York. If Josephine Baker was known for shocking people in Europe for her transgression and freedom, Valaida shocked them in the USA, with her eccentric behaviour. She travelled in an orchid coloured Mercedes, dressed in an orchid suit, her per monkey rigged out in an orchid jacket and cap, with the chauffeur in orchid as well. She lived an intense life and enjoyed it, even if she bore the trouble and and the tragic side that haunt many greats. She made the front page news for her glorious endevours as well as for her downfalls.

„My Heart Belongs To Daddy" is a song written by Cole Porter for the 1938 musical „Leave It To Me" where it was introduced by Mary Martin. The song contains one of Porter's most obscure lyrics, one of several rhymes for "daddy" - in which the singer talks about her "fine finnan haddie," a Scottish term for smoked haddock. Referring specifically to the melody, the famous performer and actor Oskar Levant -- born in orthodox Jewish family - described it as "one of the most Yiddish tunes ever written" despite the fact that "Cole Porter's genetic background was completely alien to any Jewishness."

Recording: Valaida Snow (vocal & trumpet) -- My Hart Belongs To Daddy (Cole Porter), Decca 1939

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Valaida
• Cole
• Porter
• 1930s
• Black
• American
• song
• Jewish
• 78s
• shellack
• przedwojenne
• piosenki

[JazzMaestra]

Do not assume you know anything about Valaida Snow, until you read "Valaida" by Candace Allen. It was first released in the UK. Allen spent seven years researching the amazing Valaida Snow. Check it out!!!

[SabrinaMessenger]

Thanks for putting this video here. I've just learned of Valaida Snow. Her story is fascinating.

[blackimpressions]

Why hasnt it been a movie made about her life, it was extraordinary, she was and still is, in my opinion, the best female trumpet player, she was the only american that spent time in a nazi concentration camp, and almost died there, I would love to see a movie about her life on the siver screen. I love the jazz era I wish I was there, the savoy, the cotton club, the apollo, wow, what a time in american music, I love these YT videos thay put up based on that era

[xlrv1]

About the fish dish: "If I invite a boy each night / to dine on my fine finnan haddie..." Come on guys, use your imagination.

[kabukijoe99]

search for "Сплин. Скажи, что я её люблю" on youtube. cool russian music

[blackimpressions]

Thay really need to make a movie about her life, its so interesting, the only black person to be in a nazi prison, she was close to death, she was one of the best female trumpet players. jazz singer.

[festerfree]

Since "finnan haddie" refers to FISH, I doubt if this use of "daddy" had anything to do with male lovers... just a thought! I would love to read the Allen book... will have to look that up!

[festerfree]

Since "finnan haddie" refers to FISH, I doubt if this use of "daddy" had anything to do with male lovers... just a thought!

[gfks11]

TERRIFIC piece and lyrics are very interesting, DADDY was a "NICK" in those times often for male lovers or husbands but too by involving Porters background DADDY could be also a male lover for a man... besides the interpretation that is given in the explanations, i found the jewish background too very interesting, that Levant told it the most jewish song ever and Cole wasnt jewish at all, hadnt to an affinity to this belief, anyway, this version i didnt knew, incredible cool!!

[Inesmytube]

meravigliosa interpletazione complimenti ciao anna.--

[IamAlessandro1]

( ( ( (((wow))) ) ) ) what a fantastic song nd melody, fantastic interpretation, soooo nice and sweet, no hurry - no nervosity, just sound mmm m... like this styl of the 30ies :p (still looking for the interpretaton of Charly Kunz, piano)

[Anjaayla]

@MusicandDancing4Ever I know it seems harsh but so true someone a little more classy too.

[busessuck1]

People who knew how awsome the 30s and 40s were are on their way out... and that's a shame

[Shmellington]

@SillyScyllia It's awesome when that happens. I got here through the TF2board on LJ. [Fails at finding good music independantly]

[Shmellington]

I really love older music like this but I have no idea how to go about finding more of it unless I discover it by accident or hear it on the radio. :( No sort of references or examples to use when I ask people if they know any old tunes.

[tiabooba]

Or maybe Taraji P. Henson could play her also-Taraji can sing and act...

[tiabooba]

Man a GOOD movie (like Halle did for Dorothy Dandridge) needs to be made of this outstanding talent. Maybe Esperanza Spalding could play her?...

[SillyScyllia]

bioshock 2 brought me here

[GypsyFullMoon]

How About kate Gosslin Playin her .......

[MusicandDancing4Ever]

@team3d343 Queen Latifah play Valaida Snow? That's like saying Roseanne should play Marilyn Monroe. Someone beautiful, trim, thin, and talented like Valaida should play Valaida.

[MusicandDancing4Ever]

@team3d343 Jennifer Hudson isn't pretty enough to play Valaida Snow. We need someone beautiful and talented. Maybe Alicia Keys.

[cyberbard]

Does anyone know where I can actually find CDs of this woman?

[nmbookie]

I've never understood why such talents need drugs, it would seem they could get as high as they want just listening to their own performances. Maybe it's the chicken or egg question.

[TrainRoundTheBend]

wow! never heard of her. perfect..

[mooniemoney]

Wish I was daddy.

[medamine39]

Even Mary Martin was well known by this song, this version is worth of particular appreciation, thank you.

[Msashay1]

Ms. Snow deserves to be one of our most celebrated jazz musicians of the 20th century, yet she remains an unsung hero. Truely, this woman's musicial talent and musicianship is superb. We need to have a U.S. stamp for Valida she spent time as an AA women in a Nazi concentration camp. Her endurance and fortitude is inspiring. I will learn more and as a musician I will sing a tribute to this great Lady of Jazz.