Eubie Blake–Shuffle Along, I’m Just Wild

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In A Walkthrough Shows, Songs and More
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The first recording that we found of “I’m Just Wild About Harry” was recorded by Marion Harris, singing with the Isham Jones band. Here is the write up that came with the posting of the song:

“I’m Just Wild About Harry” is a song written in 1921 with lyrics by Noble Sissle and music by Eubie Blake for the Broadway show Shuffle Along. “I’m Just Wild About Harry” was the most popular number of the production, which was the first financially successful Broadway play to have African-American writers and an all African-American cast. The song broke what had been a taboo against musical and stage depictions of romantic love between African-Americans. Originally written as a waltz, Blake rewrote the number as a foxtrot at the singer’s request. The result was a simple, direct, joyous, and infectious tune enhanced onstage by improvisational dancing.

In 1948 Harry S. Truman selected “I’m Just Wild About Harry” as his campaign song for the United States presidential election of 1948. Its success in politics led to a popular revival.

Marion Harris (April 4, 1896 – April 23, 1944) was an American popular singer who was most successful in the 1920s. She was the first widely known white singer to sing jazz and blues songs.

Lyrics:

There’s just one fellow for me in this world;
Harry’s the name,
That’s what I claim!
For every fellow there must be a girl;
I found my mate By kindness of fate!
Oh, I’m just wild about Harry
And Harry’s wild about me!
The heavenly blisses
Of his kisses
Fill me with ecstasy!
He’s sweet, just like chocolate candy
And just like the honey from the bee.
Oh, I’m just wild about Harry,
And he’s just wild about,
Cannot live without,
He’s just wild about me!
There are some fellows that like all the girls,
I mean the vamps with the cruel lamps!
But my Harry says I’m the girl of all girls,
I’m his ideal,
How happy I feel!
Oh, I’m just wild about H-A-double R-Y,
And Harry’s wild about me, me, me!
The heavenly blisses
Of his kisses
Fill me with ecstasy!
He’s sweet, just like chocolate C-A-N-D-Y
And just like the honey from the bee, bee, bee!
Oh, I’m just wild about H-A-double R-Y,
And he’s just wild about,
Cannot live without,
He’s just wild about me!