By Steve Rhodes
Whoever thought this song would become relevant once again – or that it had once been sung by George Michael. We have the video.
Lyrics: E.Y. “Yip” Harburg
Music: Jay Gorney
Date: 1931 – used in 1932’s musical New Americana
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From Wikipedia: It became best known through recordings by Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee. Both versions were released right before Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s election to the presidency and both became number one hits on the charts. The Warner Bros. Crosby recording became the best-selling record of its period, and came to be viewed as an anthem of the shattered dreams of the era.
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Also Recorded By:
– Spanky & Our Gang
– George Michael
– Peter, Paul & Mary
– Ronnie Lane
– Al Jolson
– Tom Waits
– Dave Brubeck
– Mandy Patinkin
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From Songfacts:
– Jay Gorney was the father of Saturday Night Fever actress Karen Gorney. Jay Gorney is also credited with discovering Shirley Temple.
– New Americana was a flop.
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Lyrics:
They used to tell me I was building a dream
And so I followed the mob
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear
I was always there right on the job
They used to tell me I was building a dream
With peace and glory ahead
Why should I be standing in line
Just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad, I made it run
Made it race against time
Once I built a railroad, now it’s done
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower up to the sun
Brick and rivet and lime
Once I built a tower, now it’s done
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell
Full of that Yankee-Doodly-dum
Half a million boots went sloggin’ through Hell
And I was the kid with the drum
Say, don’t you remember, they called me “Al”
It was “Al” all the time
Why don’t you remember, I’m your pal
Say buddy, can you spare a dime?
Once in khaki suits, ah gee we looked swell
Full of that Yankee-Doodly-dum
Half a million boots went sloggin’ through Hell
And I was the kid with the drum
Oh, say, don’t you remember, they called me “Al”
It was “Al” all the time
Say, don’t you remember, I’m your pal
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
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Bing Crosby’s Version
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George Michael’s Version
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Previously in Song of the Moment:
* Iron Man
* The Story of Bo Diddley
* Teach Your Children
* Dream Vacation
* When The Levee Breaks
* I Kissed A Girl
* Theme From Shaft
* Rocky Mountain High
* North to Alaska
* Barracuda
* Rainy Days and Mondays
Posted on September 30, 2008