(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo

"(I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo" is a #1 popular song recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra in 1942. It was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren and published in 1942.[1] It was featured in the musical film Orchestra Wives and was recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, featuring Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton and The Modernaires, who released it as an A side 78 in 1942, 27934-A. The B side was "At Last".

RCA Victor 78 release, 27934-A.
1942 sheet music cover, Brigman, Vocco, and Conn, Inc., New York.

Background

The song popularized the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Although originally recorded by the Glenn Miller band with Tex Beneke on lead vocals,[2] it was recreated by the fictional Gene Morrison Orchestra performing as the Glenn Miller Band and the Nicholas Brothers (performing the song as part of a dance sequence) in the 1942 20th Century Fox movie Orchestra Wives.[3][4] The song was nominated for Best Music, Original Song at the Academy Awards, Harry Warren (music), Mack Gordon (lyrics).[4][5]

The song was recorded on May 20, 1942 in Hollywood. The arrangement was by Jerry Gray. The personnel on "(I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo": Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, the Modernaires (vocals), Billy May, John Best, Steve Lipkins, R.D. McMickle (trumpet), Glenn Miller, Jim Priddy, Paul Tanner, Frank D'Annolfo (trombone), Lloyd "Skip" Martin, Wilbur Schwartz (clarinet, alto saxophone), Tex Beneke, Al Klink (tenor saxophone), Ernie Caceres (baritone saxophone), Chummy MacGregor (piano), Bobby Hackett (guitar), Edward "Doc" Goldberg (string bass), and Maurice Purtill (drums).

Reception

The Glenn Miller record was the year's best-selling recording in the United States, according to Billboard magazine. It spent nineteen weeks on the Billboard charts, including eight weeks in first place.[6] The song was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song" in 1943.

Other Recordings

The Four King Sisters recorded the song in 1942 on RCA Bluebird.[7] Louis Armstrong recorded the song in 1943. The song has also been recorded and performed by the Andrews Sisters,[8] Benny Goodman, Dinah Shore, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Kate Smith, Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman, The Mariachi Brass featuring Chet Baker, Joe Loss, Syd Lawrence, The Marshalls, Ken Delo, Ted Heath, the Harry Roy and the Mayfair Hotel Orchestra, Kai Winding, Frankie Carle, Bobby Krane, Frank Barber, Meco, Lazlo, Kings of Swing, Ronnie Verrell, Jack Parnell, Lionel Newman, BBC Big Band Orchestra, Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show in 1976, Barry Wood, John Keating, Alice Babs, Ray McKinley and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the John Miller Orchestra, Lynda Carter and Ben Vereen, the Western Michigan University Bronco Marching Band, Todd Gordon with the Royal Air Force Squadronaires big band.

See also

Western Michigan University

The song is played as part of the Western Michigan University (located in Kalamazoo, MI) Bronco Marching Band's pregame performance prior to home football games, and can be heard sometimes at home basketball contests played by the Bronco Pep Band.[9]

References
  1. "secondhandsongs.com". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  2. "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #6". 1972.
  3. Lyrics, Glenn Miller "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo".
  4. Miller, Glenn (1943). "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" (video). YouTube. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  5. "Orchestra Wives". IMDb. Retrieved December 27, 2011. See also Boom Shot (song).
  6. "The Year's Top Recordings". The Billboard. 55 (1): 27. January 2, 1943. ISSN 0006-2510
  7. (I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo. Second Hand Songs.
  8. Billboard, July 18, 1942.
  9. Video on YouTube
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