Pretty Baby (Tony Jackson song)

"Pretty Baby" is a song written by Tony Jackson during the Ragtime era. The song and lyrics apparently referred to one of Jackson's male lovers.[1] The song was remembered[2] as being prominent in Jackson's repertory before he left New Orleans in 1912, but was not published until 1916.

The background as to how the song came to be published has been confused over the years but the truth appears to be that composer Egbert Van Alstyne and lyricist Gus Kahn were writing partners and whilst Egbert was Chicago manager of music publishers, Jerome H. Remick & Company, they heard Tony Jackson singing the song one evening at a Chicago nightspot. They liked the melody but the lyrics were unsuitable for mass consumption. So Jackson was paid $250 for the rights to the tune and Kahn re-wrote the lyrics with Van Alstyne adding a verse, which he took from one of his earlier songs which had not been successful.[2] Jackson's name was included on the sheet music.

The song was quickly interpolated into the Broadway show "A World of Pleasure" (Oct 14, 1915 - Jan 22, 1916) and was then used in the show The Passing Show of 1916 (Jun 22, 1916 - Oct 21, 1916) where it was sung by Dolly Hackett. In London, the song was included in the musical Houp La! which opened on 23 November 1916 and it was sung by Gertie Millar.

Billy Murray recorded the song on June 22, 1916 for Victor Records (catalog 18102)[3] and it was a huge hit.[4]

Other notable recordings

Film appearances

In 2008, British soap opera EastEnders long-time character Dot Branning had the show's first monologue episode, during which she starts singing "Pretty Baby" and telling the tape recorder (for her sick husband, Jim Branning) about her childhood, saying the song was always sung for her as a child by her beloved uncle.

Lyrics

Here is the way early recording star Billy Murray covered it in 1916:

Verse 1

You ask me why I'm always teasing you.
You hate to have me call you "Pretty Baby."
I really thought that I was pleasing you,
For you're just a baby to me.
Your cunning little dimples and your baby stare,
Your baby talk and baby walk and curly hair,
Your baby smile
Makes life worthwhile.
You're just as sweet as you can be.

Verse 2

Your mother said you were the cutest kid.
No wonder, Dearie, that I'm wild about you
And all the cunning things you said and did.
Why, I love to fondly recall.
And just like Peter Pan it seems you'll always be
The same sweet cunning little baby dear to me,
And that is why
I'm sure that I
Will always love you best of all.

Chorus

Everybody loves a baby that's why I'm in love with you,
Pretty baby, pretty baby,
And I'd like to be your sister, brother, dad and mother too,
Pretty baby, pretty baby.
Won't you come and let me rock you in my cradle of love
And we'll cuddle all the time.
Oh, I want a lovin' baby, and it might as well be you,
Pretty baby of mine,
Pretty baby of mine.

References
  1. "Gay New Orleans 101". The Advocate: 50. 2005-10-11. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  2. Edwards, Bill. "Rag Piano.com". ragpiano.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  3. "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 331. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  5. "Red Hot Jazz". redhotjazz.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  6. "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  7. "45worlds.com". 45worlds.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  8. "The International Al Jolson Society". jolson.org. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  9. "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  10. Al Jolson singing "Pretty Baby" from Rose of Washington Square (1939) on YouTube (audio only)

References

Billy Murray Anthology: The Denver Nightingale, Archeophone Records, 2002

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