Because nothing says “NOW” quite like a busty sixty-something in a sequined magenta muu-muu, here’s Kate Smith singing a selection of the squarest hits of the 60’s– dig those strings, man! Kate blasts her way through 11 classics, trying hard not to make them all sound like “God Bless America.” Sadly, a lot of big stars from the 40’s and 50’s tried making these “hip” records, with little success.
Listen:
6 Comments
I wonder if she was in the Broadway production of GEORGE WHITE’S SCANDLES OF 1931. She had a hit with a song off that show, “That’s Why Darkies Were Born,” Columbia 2516. Horrible, horrible, detestable song. Would she have worn blackface?
“…Someone had to pick cotton,
Someone had to pick corn!
Someone had to teach the white folks
to sing and dance,
that’s why darkies were born!”
Very operatic and a jazz sort of way.
Thanks for the (disturbing) info on Kate!
Here’s the full lyrics to “That’s Why Darkies Were Born.” Considering that Paul Robeson also sang it, I think the song is probably meant to be sarcastic.
http://www.hitslyrics.com/k/katesmith-lyrics-4855/thatswhydarkieswereborn-lyrics-366820.html
Just came across this song now - though it’s been up for almost a year!
It’s easy to scoff but I think it’s a very good version of the song. The song itself holds up very well and Kate does a very good interpretation using her voice well, keeping it under control and getting the spirit of the song strongly across.
Are the other songs on the album as good?
Thanks for posting.
She was one of the greatest of the american ladies of song. To hear her live Carnegie Hall show (on RCA) is understanding why… A great voice and presence.
Thanks for sharing this song with us.
I think it’s a very horrible version of the song. Kate does a very terrible interpretation using her granny pipes to atrocious effect. A horrible voice and presence. Britney Spears may not be able to sing, but she’s still managed to avoid releasing anything quite this repulsive.