Tim Hatcher -- "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief" on ukulele

The songs of composer Hoagy Carmichael (1899-1981) have had a tremendous impact on the music of the 20th century. His better-known songs include "Stardust", "Georgia on My Mind", "Lazy River", "Lazybones", "The Nearness of You", "Heart and Soul", "Two Sleepy People", and "Skylark". His appearances on film include roles in THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT, TOPPER, and YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN.

Lyricist Paul Francis Webster (1907-1984) was a three-time Oscar winner for "Secret Love", "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing" and "The Shadow of Your Smile". A total of sixteen of his songs received Academy Award nominations, an achievement unmatched by any other lyricist. His other songs include "Black Coffee", "I Got it Bad (and That Ain't Good)" and "The Twelfth of Never".

I had never understood, until recently, why lyricist Paul Francis Webster came up with "Indian Chief" as the third choice of a potential husband. Thanks to Wikipedia, I have finally made the connection between the title of this song and the children's counting game from which it originates: "Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief. Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief." It's a game rather like "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe..." and the line comes as a response to the question, "What will my husband be?"

The biggest-selling recording of this song featured a vocal by Betty Hutton. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts in late 1945 and remained there for 17 weeks, peaking at number one.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hoagy
• Carmichael
• Betty
• Hutton
• Paul
• Webster
• jazz
• ukulele
• Les
• Brown

[bostonblakie]

Nice going on a great tune. I do recall that old childhood rhyme. Thanks for reminding me.

[timboytx]

Thank you very much, bostonblakie. Looks like your channel has some great favorites. I'm going to check them out.

[charlester]

Great playing Tim. I especially like how you explain the history of the song and writers.

[timboytx]

Thanks, Charles. Knowing and sharing the song's history is important to me. Adds so much to my enjoyment.

[LStrachey]

nice work and welcome back

[timboytx]

Thanks very much! Wish I could do this more often but it's hard to find a big chunk of free time, and I prefer to record during daylight hours when the light is better.

[heeter71]

You got me whistling along with that one! :-+

[ukulelebiel]

Hi,here Spain!I've listened your rendition of this song at least 15 times.I love it!!!I'd like to play it,too.I'llkeep watching you.

[somersetdc]

Very nice job. A real joyful tune. Thanks!

[LoneStarStateOfMine]

Dear Tim - I always like that you add such interesting & detailed histories. Very few do. This one is wonderful. I've seen Betty Hutton's rendition of this (& not on YouTube). I've always enjoyed her performances. As always, you did a great job. Try not to worry about the PC of it; it's part of the history of the song. If I know the song, I find myself singing along. If not, after I've watched 20 or so times, then I harmonize when I sing along! Keep 'em coming! Love you! - Laura

[Blondguy1]

yea i like the song it sounds really nice =] btw.. we have the same first and last name O_O

[singingkid]

I'm late again! Another wonderful job, Tim! Keep them coming!!! :)

[harmonyespanada]

i dig dem ukulele tunes!

[jkfan2005]

The Betty Hutton record is on a LP, something like "Golden Age of Comedy" from the 1970s-- at least you left out the Woo-woo-woo part! But worrying too much about whether an old song is P.C. leads us directly to Stan Freberg's "Elderly Man River."