Sweet Adeline
Encyclopedia
" Sweet Adeline" is a ballad best known as a barbershop
standard. It was first published in 1903, with lyrics by Richard H. Gerard to music by Harry Armstrong
, from a tune he had written in 1896 at the age of 18. According to a 1928 newspaper story, the lyrics were inspired "by a girl who worked at the music counter of a New York department store." After failing to find a publisher with the initial title, "You're the Flower of My Heart, Sweet Rosalie", according to a story the two decided a new title was in order and were inspired by a poster advertising the farewell tour of opera singer Adelina Patti
. It did not become a hit until it was performed in 1904 by the group The Quaker City Four.
John F. Fitzgerald
, who served as mayor of Boston, represented Massachusetts in Congress and was the maternal grandfather of President John F. Kennedy
, made "Sweet Adeline" his theme song in 1909. Over the next four decades, he personally sang it at countless political and social events and on the radio.
A piece of "Sweet Adeline" was featured in Broadway Folly
, a 1930 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
cartoon.
The song was performed by The Marx Brothers in their 1931 film Monkey Business
.
The song was covered by jam band Phish
in several live performances.
The Seekers
used the song as a regular part of their live act in the 1960s; lead vocalist Judith Durham
would sit out the song while Athol Guy
, Keith Potger
, and Bruce Woodley
would perform the song as a barbershop trio. The song was included on their 1968 album, The Seekers Live at the Talk of the Town.
Country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers
references "Sweet Adeline" in his song "My Old Pal".
Mickey Mouse
serenades Minnie Mouse
with "Sweet Adeline" in the 1929 short The Karnival Kid
.
"Sweet Adeline" is referenced in the barbershop
songs, "Down Our Way" and "I Love That Barbershop Style" as well as many other popular barbershop songs.
Barbershop music
Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era , is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture...
standard. It was first published in 1903, with lyrics by Richard H. Gerard to music by Harry Armstrong
Henry W. Armstrong
Henry W. "Harry" Armstrong was a U.S. boxer, booking agent, producer, singer, pianist and Tin Pan Alley composer.His biggest hit was "Sweet Adeline", written in 1903 with Richard H. Gerard...
, from a tune he had written in 1896 at the age of 18. According to a 1928 newspaper story, the lyrics were inspired "by a girl who worked at the music counter of a New York department store." After failing to find a publisher with the initial title, "You're the Flower of My Heart, Sweet Rosalie", according to a story the two decided a new title was in order and were inspired by a poster advertising the farewell tour of opera singer Adelina Patti
Adelina Patti
Adelina Patti was a highly acclaimed 19th-century opera singer, earning huge fees at the height of her career in the music capitals of Europe and America. She first sang in public as a child in 1851 and gave her last performance before an audience in 1914...
. It did not become a hit until it was performed in 1904 by the group The Quaker City Four.
John F. Fitzgerald
John F. Fitzgerald
John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald was an Irish-American politician and the maternal grandfather of three prominent United States politicians—President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Senators Robert Francis Kennedy and Edward Moore Kennedy.-Early life and family:Fitzgerald was born in...
, who served as mayor of Boston, represented Massachusetts in Congress and was the maternal grandfather of President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, made "Sweet Adeline" his theme song in 1909. Over the next four decades, he personally sang it at countless political and social events and on the radio.
A piece of "Sweet Adeline" was featured in Broadway Folly
Broadway Folly
Broadway Folly is an animated cartoon by Walter Lantz which stars Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.-Plot:Oswald was driving his uncovered car, heading towards a night club. He parks his car at a sidewalk by the club and goes toward the entrance. As he was reaching the door, Oswald was flagged down by the...
, a 1930 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is an anthropomorphic rabbit and animated cartoon character created by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney for films distributed by Universal Pictures in the 1920s and 1930s...
cartoon.
The song was performed by The Marx Brothers in their 1931 film Monkey Business
Monkey Business (1931 film)
Monkey Business is a 1931 comedy film. It is the third of the Marx Brothers' released movies, and the first not to be an adaptation of one of their Broadway shows. The film stars the four brothers: Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, and Zeppo Marx, and screen comedienne Thelma Todd. It is...
.
The song was covered by jam band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
in several live performances.
The Seekers
The Seekers
The Seekers are an Australian folk-influenced pop music group which were originally formed in 1962. They were the first Australian popular music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States...
used the song as a regular part of their live act in the 1960s; lead vocalist Judith Durham
Judith Durham
Judith Durham, OAM is an Australian jazz singer and musician who became the lead vocalist for the Australian popular folk music group The Seekers in 1963. She left the group in mid-1968 to pursue her solo career...
would sit out the song while Athol Guy
Athol Guy
Athol Guy , is a member of the Australian pop music-folk music group The Seekers. Guy played the double bass. He was characterised by his wearing of black horn-rimmed glasses...
, Keith Potger
Keith Potger
Keith Potger is one of the founding members of the Australian pop-folk group The Seekers. He was born in Ceylon and is of Burgher descent. In the Seekers, he played twelve string guitar and banjo, and sang...
, and Bruce Woodley
Bruce Woodley
Bruce William Woodley , is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. He was a founding member of the successful pop-folk group The Seekers, and co-composer of the anthemic song "I Am Australian"...
would perform the song as a barbershop trio. The song was included on their 1968 album, The Seekers Live at the Talk of the Town.
Country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers
Jimmie Rodgers (country singer)
James Charles Rodgers , known as Jimmie Rodgers, was an American country singer in the early 20th century known most widely for his rhythmic yodeling...
references "Sweet Adeline" in his song "My Old Pal".
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
serenades Minnie Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Minerva "Minnie" Mouse is an animated character created by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney. The comic strip story "The Gleam" by Merrill De Maris and Floyd Gottfredson first gave her full name as Minerva Mouse. Minnie has since been a recurring alias for her. Minnie is currently voiced by actress Russi...
with "Sweet Adeline" in the 1929 short The Karnival Kid
The Karnival Kid
The Karnival Kid is a 1929 American animated short film directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. It was produced in black and white by The Walt Disney Studio and released to theaters by Celebrity Productions. It is the ninth film in the Mickey Mouse but it is the first in which Mickey speaks...
.
"Sweet Adeline" is referenced in the barbershop
Barbershop music
Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era , is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture...
songs, "Down Our Way" and "I Love That Barbershop Style" as well as many other popular barbershop songs.
External links
- 'Sweet Adeline' Turns 100 Audio feature by NPR, with a cover version by PhishPhishPhish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...