Willie Can
"Willie Can" Is a popular hit song written in 1955 by the American country and western songwriter Boudleaux Bryant and his wife Felice Bryant.[1][2][3] It reached the charts in 1956 in the US with the Mitch Miller version (#30)[4] and in the UK with Alma Cogan's (#13).[5]
The song, in a lighthearted vein, gives a list of activities and kindnesses the woman singer would wish to have in a lover and husband.
It was recorded by:
- Mitch Miller and His Orchestra and Chorus (USA) in January 1956
- Alma Cogan with Choir and Orchestra conducted by Frank Cordell (UK) in March 1956
- The Beverley Sisters with The Roland Shaw Orchestra (UK) in March 1956
- Sue Thompson (USA) in January 1963
Form of the song[edit]
The song lists the things the female singer requires of her suitor. These vary between versions but in full are:
To cook, save a dollar bill, sew, give a girl a thrill, ride a black-eyed stallion, fight a bear, love, braid her hair, do the things she asks him , dance , prance, take her to the fair, say he cares, dig a hole to China, climb a tree, kiss and kiss her, do the things she asks him (and do them true), run, catch a honey bee, sing and sing to her, try to swim the Channel, fly a kite, be bold, hold her , squeeze her tight, run , sing , sing to her.
The Beverley Sisters version adds:- crossing a burning desert and crossing the sea.
The list is broken up by a chorus which runs:
Willie can, Willie can, Willie can, fair lady If Willie takes a shine to you
References[edit]
- ^ "Song: Willie Can written by Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- ^ Bryant, Felice; Bryant, Boudleaux (1955). Willie can (Library copy of the original sheet music.). Melbourne: Acuff-Rose Publications Pty.
- ^ "Alan Cackett - Boudleaux & Felice Bryant - Part Two". alancackett.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- ^ "All US Top 40 Singles for 1956". Top40Weekly.com (Listed as the B side title of ' Lisbon Antigua). 30 November 2013. p. Week Ending: 14th March, 1956. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
- ^ "ALMA COGAN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
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