"When Yuba plays the Rhumba on his Tuba" (Rudy Vallee, 1931)

This novelty song made it to #2 in America in 1931--Depression era escapism as its zaniest.

Words & Music by Herman "As Time Goes By" Hupfeld...Rudy & the boys are having a blast here, though the tuba soloist is (alas) unidentified.

WHEN YUBA PLAYS THE RHUMBA ON HIS TUBA

His name was Yuba.
He was homely, he was dumb.
And so was Yuba
Just a big ambitious bum,
He wouldn't do-a
So much as chew a piece of gum
So this is news to me.

I understand-a
He's an overnight success,
He's in demand-a.
Why? I never would have guessed.
Well, he found a big bass tuba
Then he bummed his way to Cuba
And the rest is history.

Down in Havana there's a funny-looking boob-a,
He plays the rhumba on the tuba down in Cuba.
Oh, any sap'll sell an apple
But this chap would rather grapple
With his oompah-oompah-oompah.
They prefer it to the booba-doopa-doopa.
They love the rhumba on the tuba down in Cuba.

It doesn't take him very long to get a tumble,
For all the rhumba lovers go into their rumble.
Oh, how I'd love to be his double,
For without a bit of trouble
With his oompah-oompah-oompah
He can knock eleven ladies for a loop-a.
They love the rhumba on the tuba down in Cuba.

He's not a green horn,
He blows a mean horn,
A must-be-seen horn,
Oh he's a whiz!

Why, all Havana loves the funny-lookin' boob-a,
Who plays the rhumba on the tuba down in Cuba.
I can't believe it but they tell us
Every peanut vendor's jealous
Of his oompah-oompah-oompah,
They prefer it to the boopa-doopa-doopa.
They love the rhumba on the tuba down in Cuba.
They love his oompah-oompah-oompah-oompah-oomp.

He's not a green horn,
He blows a mean horn,
A must-be-seen horn,
Oh he's a whiz!

Why, all Havana loves the funny-lookin' boob-a,
Who plays the rhumba on the tuba down in Cuba.
He's getting wealthy, strong and hearty
Thanks to plenty good Bacardi
And his oompah-oompah-oompah, oh he
Knocks the booba-doopa for a loop-ah.
They love the rhumba round the tuba down in Cuba.

They love his oompah-oompah-oompah-oompah
Oomp!
Oomp!
Oomp!!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rudy
• Vallee
• Herman
• Hupfeld
• Yuba
• Tuba
• Rhumba
• Cuba
• boop
• 1931
• novelty
• songs

[Supermercado]

I never even knew this was a real song, I just saw it as the punchline in a Blondie strip one day.

[RReady555]

It's an insanely fun song! ;)

Thanks,

-RR

[smurfswacker]

I love this sort of crazy novelty song...seemed to have been a lot of them in the 20s and 30s. They're fun to learn, then sing in the car on the way to work.

[RReady555]

It was a golden era for popular comedy and musicianship...love 'em, too!

[genia106]

GREAT!

Rudy was so versatile! I love it! What a great song to start the weekend. Thank you so much RR for this semi classical ? :)) Racy Rudy Rhumba.

[RReady555]

Maybe we should fix up Yuba with Kansas City Kitty, genia. ;)

Rudy and the Yankees had enormous range...from the sweetest ballads to the broadest comedy numbers--all done with great style and showmanship.

Best,

-RR

[cdguyknit]

What kills me is how many people have heard (at least part of) this song and never known it. Check out the tuba solo in the old Bugs Bunny cartoon "Long Haired Hare" and see for yourself. And now you know! =)

[justinemiller1946]

You see, folks just were'nt so complicated way back then and you are right , it did not take perverse lyrics or shock to entertain them, like it does us.

[GooglFascists]

Demonstrates just how desperate Vallee must have been

for CASH, to cackle something this RETARDED and

actually let it be known HE did it.

Even more preposterous that people spent 25 cents,

(which would buy a "blue plate special" meal back then),

for a record with sheer gibberish for words.

People actually sit around and watch Bugs Bunny til

they can SPOT THE MUSICAL SCORE of a CARTOON?

[williebeaty]

@matthewcn that's cool!

[crysdever1924]

Hah! This is great! My band has been trying to win a pepsi refresh grant to pay for new tubas, and the lead tuba player at my school got am email for a sympathetic community member, saying that if the tuba section goes and serenades his front lawn with this song, he would add $1,000 more to the tuba fund.

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

@DullTorpor

Also try "You're an Education."

[DullTorpor]

A sample of this tune shows up in the Bugs Bunny short "Long-Haired Hare."

[crackfarm76]

yay herman hupfield!! he also wrote 'as time goes by'....versatile much?

[maudietriplett]

Thank you from the Rudy Vallee Fan Club. I have just posted this on my Facebook page!

Cheers!

Karen Welles

Rudy Vallee Fan Club

[mrsjuzziegreen]

delightful!

[eeferman]

I'm thrilled to find this video. I've known this song for 50 years. I own the sheet music, listen to Bill Bell's recording of it, play it on my tuba, know the lyrics inside out. On ebay I am yuba1.

[Sciochick]

The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band from Britain in the 60s did a fab rendition of this song. They were on the comedy show Do Not Adjust Your Set.