G.I. Jive

Johnny Mercer

About G.I. Jive

"G. I. Jive" is a 1944 song written and originally performed by Johnny Mercer. The single was a hit twice in 1944 by two different performers: Johnny Mercer hit number one on the Harlem Hit Parade for one week and peaked at number thirteen on the pop charts. Three months later, Louis Jordan, also made it to number one on both the Harlem Hit Parade and the pop chart with "G. I. Jive". The B-side to Jordan's version, "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby", was also a successful release. Mercer intended to write a song that the soldiers would like, and the song was the biggest hit of all the songs dealing with soldier life during World War II. Deana Martin recorded “G. I. Jive” on her 2013 album Destination Moon. 


Year:
1997
4:22
20 
#1

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Met a gal in calico, down in Santa Fe;
Used to be her Sunday beau til I rode away.
Do I want her, do I want her love?
Yes siree!

Will I win her, Will I win her love?
Wait and see!
Workin with a rodeo, go from town to town.
See most evry kind a gal, evry kind a gown.

But who made my heart sing
Yippee Yi! Yippee Yo!
My little gal in calico.

Take my gal in calico, down in Santa Fe;
Guess Id better let her know that I feel this way.
Is she waitin', is she waitin'
She better be.

Am I hopin' to be ropin' her?
Yes siree!
Gonna quit the rodeo, gonna settle down,
Buy a bolt of calico for a weddin' gown.

Then will I fence her in
Yippee Yi! Yippee Yo!
My little gal in calico.

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Johnny Mercer

John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. Mercer was also a co-founder of Capitol Records. more »

5 fans

Written by: JOHNNY MERCER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Background
"G.I. Jive" is a wartime song that was extremely popular during World War II. The song was written and originally performed by Johnny Mercer, who was a prominent American songwriter and singer.
Chart Performance
"G.I. Jive" was very successful, and topped the American Billboard charts for nine weeks in 1944. It was the first number one single for Johnny Mercer.
Song Purpose
During World War II, Mercer and other writers were commissioned to pen songs as a morale boost for the troops, and "G.I. Jive" is one of the most memorable products of this effort. The song reflects on the everyday life of an American soldier.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics of "G.I. Jive" refer to daily life in the military, including reveille, morning roll call, drill, and fatigue duty. It also makes mention of "G.I. glasses", which refers to Army-issued glasses that were often considered unattractive.
Song Structure
The song's structure is considered a 'jump blues' with a relentless rhythm driven by a boogie woogie piano and punctuated by a bright trumpet.
Record Company
G.I. Jive was released by Capitol Records, which was co-founded by Johnny Mercer in 1942.
Popular Cover
The song was later covered by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, whose version also topped the chart.
Film Appearance
The song even made a cameo appearance in the movie "Thank Your Lucky Stars" where it was sung by Dinah Shore.
Professional Praise
In 1944, Billboard magazine characterized this song as "the best selling record of all disks reported sold this week".
Cultural Impact
The phrase "G.I. Jive" became a popular phrase during World War II and continues to be associated with that era. It's a reminder of the music that helped boost morale during a challenging time in history.

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