Makin' Whoopee

This article is about the Donaldson and Kahn song. For Susan Stroman's 2004 ballet, see Double Feature (ballet).

"Makin' Whoopee!" is a jazz/blues song, first popularized by Eddie Cantor in the 1928 musical Whoopee!. Walter Donaldson wrote the music and Gus Kahn the lyrics for the song as well as for the entire musical.

The title is a euphemism for sexual intimacy, and the song itself is a "dire warning", largely to men, about the "trap" of marriage. "Makin' Whoopee" begins with the celebration of a wedding, honeymoon and marital bliss, but moves on to babies and responsibilities, and ultimately on to affairs and possible divorce, ending with a judge's advice.

In popular culture and other versions

• Doris Day recorded the song in a duet with Danny Thomas in November 1951. It was released on the 10" soundtrack-LP I'll See You in My Dreams by Columbia Records as catalog number CL-6198 on December 14, 1952. Conductor: Paul Weston. She recorded a new version in November 1958. It was released on the LP Cuttin' Capers by Columbia Records as catalog number CS-8078 (stereo) and CL-1232 (mono) on March 9, 1959. Conductor: Frank De Vol.
• Frank Sinatra. Released on the LP Songs For Swingin' Lovers by Capitol Records as catalog number W-653 in 1956.
• Dinah Washington. Released on the LP The Swingin' Miss "D" by EmArcy Records as catalog number MG 36104 in 1956. Arranger and conductor: Quincy Jones. Producer: Bob Shad.
• Ella Fitzgerald. Recorded at the Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on November 24, 1958. It was released on the LP Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers by Verve Records as catalogue number VS-6072 (stereo) and V-4032 (mono) in 1959. Arranger and conductor was Frank De Vol.
• Germany's best selling violinist Helmut Zacharias played a version.
• Don Lusher, Orchestra directed by Pete Moore. Released on the LP Makin' Whoopee by CBS Records as catalog number 63021 in 1967.
• The Elton John track "Big Dipper" features an adapted version of "Makin' Whoopee" in its final verse.
• Hawkeye Pierce. It was played on a gramophone at the Swamp and partially sung by Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) at the end of an episode of M*A*S*H titled "Dear Dad... Three".
• Dr. John and Rickie Lee Jones performed "Makin' Whoopee" on Dr. John's album In a Sentimental Mood. It was released by Warner Bros. Records as catalog number 9 25889-2 (CD) and 9 25889-1, 1-25889 (LP) in 1989.
• Paul Rodriguez performs his rendition for the end credits of the 1986 comedy film The Whoopee Boys.
• Michelle Pfeiffer sang "Makin' Whoopee", sprawled over a piano in a red evening dress, in the 1989 film The Fabulous Baker Boys. An homage to this scene featured in Season 3, Episode 10 of Eureka ("Your Face or Mine?"), where the song was performed by Erica Cerra. It was spoofed in the film Hot Shots! and in an episode of the TV series Ellen. A parody of this scene was made by Marina Massironi, an Italian actress, during the show Tel Chi El Telùn.
• During the late 1990s, Cadillac used the song in ad campaigns for the DeVille sedan. Many different versions of the song were recorded, most notably by Ray Charles, Anita Baker and Dave Koz (the last two in a duet).
• Woody Allen's 1996 musical film Everyone Says I Love You features Tirome Jerome's rendition of the song.
• "Makin' Whoopee!" was covered by Rod Stewart in a duet with Elton John on his CD The Great American Songbook, Volume 4. It was released by J Records as catalog number 69286 on October 18, 2005. Harry Nilsson had previously covered it.
• Vocalist Stacey Kent. Released on the CD The Boy Next Door by Candid Records as catalog number CCD 79797 in 2003.
• In 2008 for the music series Spectacle, Elton John revisits "Whoopee" as part of a trio with Elvis Costello and Diana Krall. This version stays true to the campy original. Elton executive-produced the series and Krall married Costello on December 5, 2003 at Elton John's estate outside London.
• The SuperJazz Big Band of Birmingham, Alabama recorded the song on the CD, UAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis Marsalis.
• Cookie Monster did a parody of this song called "Eatin' Cookie" on Sesame Street.
• Saxophonst Jimmy Sommers. Released on the CD Time Stands Still by NuGroove Records as catalog number 20312 in 2009.
• At her March 7, 2010 performance at the Sydney Opera House, Amanda Palmer covered the song on the ukulele, and a recording of her performance was included on her third album, Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under.
• A version of the song is performed by Diana Krall, Elvis Costello and Elton John, at the end of Spectacle: Elvis Costello with....