One of the things about Jim’s prompts that I think is good is that he’ll give you a whole range of prompts. Instead of giving us a prompt of “herbs and spices,” he’ll be more specific: “Cinnamon, Mint, Parsley, Pepper, Rosemary, Sage, Salt, Thyme.”
“One Mint Julep” was written by Rudy Toombs, who wrote a lot of R&B tunes. The Clovers sang it first and had a hit with it in 1952, but it was Ray Charles who turned it into an R&B classic. It’s been covered by many artists, both as a vocal and an instrumental. I’m going to use Louis Prima’s version, because I like it the best.
The lyrics, from SongLyrics.com:
As I was walking
I met a woman
And started talking
Went in a tavern
To get a few nips
And all I had was
A mint julep
One mint julep
Was the cause of it all
I dont remember
Just how it started
But all i know is
We should have parted
I stole a kiss and
Then another
I didnt mean to
Take it for her
One mint julep
Was the cause of it all
Oh the nights were burning low
There in the tavern when through the swinging door
Up jumped a father he said I saw you when
You kissed my daughter got to wed her right now
Oh face the slaughter
I didnt know just
What I was doing
I had to marry
A mint julep
A mint julep
A mint julep
A mint julep
One mint julep
Was the cause of it all
Now listen I dont wanna bore you
With all my troubles but from now on I’ll be
Thinking double and I’ll buy her roses
And maybe maybe tulips
I got too much trouble from buying tulips
I dont remember
Just how it started
But all I know is
We should have parted
A mint julep
A mint julep
A mint julep
A mint julep
One mint julep
Yes one mint julep
Was the cause of it all!
You might remember this story about my grandfather in Louisville, Kentucky around Derby Day. The mint julep figures in the tradition of the Derby, as you might know, and in my story as well. Read the story, it’s a funny one.
That’s Song Lyric Sunday and Song of the Day for May 31, 2020.
Louis Prima, the consummate entertainer, did this up right. I like the clipped singing and the funny story in the song.
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He had a lot of that in his stage act. He and Keely Smith (his wife) used to play off each other. They have “The Best of The Ed Sullivan Show” on Decades from 6-7 Eastern, and they pop up on there frequently, and they’re fun to watch.
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If I ever get cable again, it would be fun to check out old Ed Sullivan shows I bet they are so fun to watch.
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You can get Decades over the air. It’s usually one of the sub-channels (here it’s 5.5). Check your local listings.
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OK, I will, John, thanks.
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https://www.internet-radio.com/stations/decades/ It says there are 51 decades radio stations
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Interesting. Wonder what they play? Must research…
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When I saw that list and grid, it seemed easy, but when I tried a few stations, it seems to be small operators that want you to pay to listen. I tried the search button for Louis Prima and got 0 results.
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Oh, it’s a racket, huh?
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I wouldn’t go that far, but it doesn’t look free.
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I love this John!!
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I’m happy!
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I remember my parents having a Louis Prima album.
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Good one John and Louis Prima sang some funny songs. I hope you didn’t mind that I used your name in my post.
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I had to go over and check the context in which you used it, but no, I don’t mind. And yes, I remember the commercial. The guy who played the actor that kept blowing his line was none other than Daniel J. Travanti, by the way. I guess I don’t watch enough TV, because I haven’t seen many of the actors from “Hill Street Blues” since the show ended.
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