My Mammy

Al Jolson

About My Mammy

"My Mammy" is an American popular song with music by Walter Donaldson and lyrics by Joe Young and Sam M. Lewis. Though associated with Al Jolson, who performed the song very successfully, "My Mammy" was performed first in 1918 by William Frawley (later to become famous on I Love Lucy) as a vaudeville act. Saul Bornstein, the general manager in early 1921 for Irving Berlin Music Publishing, brought the song to Jolson's attention; Jolson first interpolated the song in January 1921 to the Broadway show Sinbad which was in the fourth year of its run. Jolson recorded this song twice and performed it in films, including The Jazz Singer (1927), The Singing Fool (1928) and Rose of Washington Square (1939). His voice can also be heard (dubbing actor Larry Parks) singing the song in The Jolson Story (1946). The group The Happenings revived the song in 1967 with a recording that reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. During their PopMart Tour of 1997–98, rock music band U2 would often quote the line "The sun shines east, the sun shines west, I know where the sun shines best" in performances of their song, "Miami". "The British rock band The Psychedelic Furs parodied it in their song "We Love You", singing "I would walk a million smiles for one of your miles". In the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, the song is parodied in the song "Muqǐn". It is also parodied in the jukebox musical Our House (musical) in the song 'Rise and Fall' and 'The Sun and the Rain (Act II)' 


Year:
2004
2:55
121 

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Everything is lovely
When you start to roam;
The birds are singin', the day that you stray,
But later, when you are further away,
Things won't seem so lovely
When you're all alone;
Here's what you'll keep saying
When you're far from home:

Mammy,
Mammy,
The sun shines east, the sun shines west,
I know where the sun shines best
Mammy,
My little mammy,
My heartstrings are tangled around Alabammy.
I'm comin',
Sorry that I made you wait.
I'm comin',
Hope and trust that I'm not late, oh oh oh
Mammy,
My little Mammy,
I'd walk a million miles
For one of your smiles,
My Mammy! Oh oh oh

Mammy
My little Mammy.
The sun shines east, the sun shines west,
I know where, the sun shines best!
It's on my Mammy I'm talkin' about, nobody else's!
My little Mammy,
My heartstrings are tangled around Alabammy.
Mammy, Mammy, I'm comin',
I'm so sorry that I made you wait!
Mammy, Mammy, I'm comin'!
Oh God, I hope I'm not late!
Look at me, Mammy! Don't you know me?
I'm your little baby!
I'd walk a million miles
For one of your smiles,
My Mammy!

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Al Jolson

Al Jolson (born Asa Yoelson) (May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was an American singer, comedian, and actor of Jewish descent. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer". more »

3 fans

Written by: LEWIS, YOUNG, JAMES T DONALDSON

Lyrics © BOURNE CO.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Origin
"My Mammy" was initially a popular song in the United States. It is also referred to as "Mammy" and was written in 1918 by Walter Donaldson, Joe Young, and Sam M. Lewis.
Performance by Al Jolson
Al Jolson performed "My Mammy" in blackface in his movie "The Jazz Singer" in 1927. This was the first feature-length film that included synchronized sound and is often referred to as the first "talkie."
Recurring Theme
The song symbolizes the recurring theme of a yearning for the South that characterized Al Jolson's musical career.
Impact
The performance of "My Mammy" by Al Jolson is significant because it solidified his place as one of the most renowned entertainers of the 20th century.
Records
The song was recorded and released by William Frawley in 1942. Frawley's performance was so popular that it often overshadowed Jolson's original.
Popularity
The song was one of Jolson's biggest hits and gained popular as an American standard.
Cultural Influence
Despite its historic significance, "My Mammy" has been criticized for its controversial depiction of African American stereotypes.
Covers
Many other notable musicians, including Jerry Lewis and Judy Garland, have covered "My Mammy" over the years.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song reflect a sentimental longing for home and mother that was a common trend in early 20th-century music.
Recognition
"My Mammy" is frequently associated with Al Jolson, and he is often credited with bringing the song to an international audience.
Legacy
Jolson's performance of "My Mammy" in "The Jazz Singer" remains one of his most celebrated on-screen moments and is an integral part of American film history.

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