I've Never Seen a Straight Banana
Encyclopedia
"I've Never Seen a Straight Banana" is a novelty song
from 1926, written by Ted Waite. A short film was made in 1926 in the Phonofilm
sound-on-film process with music hall
comedian Dick Henderson
(1891-1958) singing it.
In 1927, it was made popular by Fred Waring
and his band Waring's Pennsylvanians
who recorded it.
Later versions were recorded by The Happiness Boys
, Tiny Tim
(recorded in 1976 by producer Richard Barone
, released 2009), and Brita Borg
.
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
from 1926, written by Ted Waite. A short film was made in 1926 in the Phonofilm
Phonofilm
In 1919, Lee De Forest, inventor of the audion tube, filed his first patent on a sound-on-film process, DeForest Phonofilm, which recorded sound directly onto film as parallel lines. These parallel lines photographically recorded electrical waveforms from a microphone, which were translated back...
sound-on-film process with music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
comedian Dick Henderson
Dickie Henderson
Dickie Henderson, OBE was a London-born entertainer.-Early years:His father, Dick Henderson was a music hall comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice...
(1891-1958) singing it.
In 1927, it was made popular by Fred Waring
Fred Waring
Fredrick Malcolm Waring was a popular musician, bandleader and radio-television personality, sometimes referred to as "America's Singing Master" and "The Man Who Taught America How to Sing." He was also a promoter, financial backer and namesake of the Waring Blendor, the first modern electric...
and his band Waring's Pennsylvanians
Waring's Pennsylvanians
Waring's Pennsylvanians was a jazz - Dixieland band which was most popular in the 1920s and 1930s but continued to exist and play until Fred Waring's death in 1984....
who recorded it.
Later versions were recorded by The Happiness Boys
The Happiness Boys
The Happiness Boys was a popular radio program of the early 1920s. It featured the vocal duo of tenor Billy Jones and bass/baritone Ernie Hare who sang novelty songs.-Career:...
, Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim , , born in Manhattan, was an American singer and ukulele player. He was most famous for his rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.-Rise to fame:Born to Lebanese parents in 1932, Khaury displayed musical talent at a very young age...
(recorded in 1976 by producer Richard Barone
Richard Barone
Richard Barone is a rock musician born in Tampa, Florida who gained attention as frontman for The Bongos. He works as a songwriter, arranger, author, director, and producer, releases albums as a solo artist, tours, and has created major concert events at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl and New York's...
, released 2009), and Brita Borg
Brita Borg
Brita Borg, full name Brita Kerstin Gunvor Borg was a Swedish singer, actress, and variety show artist. Her variety show career spanned from 1943 into the 1970s, while her singing career trailed away at the end of the 1960s. However, she was still an active actress in the 1980s...
.