Artist: Lou Preager
Author: Jimmy Kennedy
Label: Columbia
Year: 1945
From the Palais de Danse, Hammersmith. Vocal: Paul Rich. B-side of In A Little While. The first one to come up with this novelty yell (You put your right hand in, left hand out, shake it all about) was Al Tabor, a Canadian officer during the blitz in London, remembering the yell of an icecream man from way back in his youth. Settled interestingly out of court against famous lyricist Jimmy Kennedy in 1942 (who wrote Harbor Lights, Istanbul Not Constantinople, Red Sails In The Sunset, South Of The Border).
Covers:
Sun Valley Trio [as The Hokey Pokey for 4 Star]
Ray Anthony [vocal: Jo Ann Greer and The Skyliners; B-side of The Bunny Hop]
Augie Meyers & The Western Head Band [as Hokey Pokey]
Judge Dread [as The Hokey Cokey]
Slade [as Okey Cokey]
Snowmen [as Hokey Cokey; top 20 UK]
Captain Sensible [idem]
Yo La Tengo [as Hokey Pokey]
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)