Abe Lyman - "Did You Mean It?" (1927)

Did You Mean It?
Words by Sid Silvers and Abe Lyman
Music by Phil Baker
Performed by Abe Lyman's California Orchestra
Vocal Refrain by Phil Neely
Recorded September 5, 1927
Brunswick 3648

This song is from the 1927 Broadway musical review "A Night in Spain" and was notably introduced by Marion Harris, who also recorded it..

Abe Lyman (1897 - 1957) was leader of band billed as Abe Lyman and his Californians. best known for long run on radio show Waltz Time in 1930s and 1940s. Bands solid in musicianship, leaned to sweet style but could swing. Lyman learned drums, at 14 played in Chicago's Colonial Cafe. Played in Silent movie theatres, worked at jobs outside music including taxi driving. To California in 1919. Ability to juggle drumsticks led to jobs in Hollywood restaurants and ultimately led to successful band at Cocoanut grove in Los Angeles from 1921 to 1924 and became an established name. Toured and did some vaudeville between 1924 and 1926, back to Chicago then returned to California. Traveled to Europe in 1929 on tour. During 1930s, played at Grauman's Chinese Restaurant, and led band in movie musicals. Appeared in Good News, Hold Everything, Paramount on Parade, Madame Satan, Broadway Through a Keyhole, Sweet Surrender, and Junior Prom. The band's theme was "California, Here I Come." Vocalists with the band included Ella Logan, Rose Blain, Band on radio with shows: The Big Hollywood Show (1934), Melodiana (1934-35) Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937), Jack Benny (1938) and Waltz Time from 1934 to the late 1940s. Lyman was in military service during 1942 - 1943. He quit music in the late 1940s and entered restaurant management. Composer and lyricist for popular songs "I Cried for You" (1923), "Mandalay" (1924), "After I Say I'm Sorry" (1926), "Did You Mean It?" (1927).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Did You Mean It
• Abe Lyman
• 1927
• Phil Neely
• Phil Baker
• Sid Silvers
• A Night in Spain
• Broadway
• Fox
• Trot

[bsgs98]

@parlophonman Hello Daniel! Thanks for the comment. Lyman recorded mostly for the Brunswick record company. His band was popular on radio shows and a few movie musicals.

Bill

[parlophonman]

Thank you Bill for this great record and the very interesting pictures, the are all unknown to me !

Greetings from Holland,

Daniel.

[bsgs98]

@pax41 Thanks. That particular sheet music was for a different song with the same title from 1936 written by Mort Dixon and Jesse Greer. I took some liberties with the artwork.. By the way, my favorite version of this song is the Marion Harris version that you have posted. Lee Morse has a nice version too.

[pax41]

I like this one a lot Bill. It sounds very good too. It llooks like you enhanced the sheet music too, nice.