Hey There
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| "Hey There" | |
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| Song |
"Hey There" is a show tune from the musical play The Pajama Game, written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. It was published in 1954. It was introduced by John Raitt in the original production. It was subsequently recorded by a number of artists. The recording by Rosemary Clooney reached #1 on Billboard's chart in 1954. Another version was also recorded about the same time by Sammy Davis, Jr., reaching #16 on Billboard's retail chart. The song (counting all recorded versions) also reached #1 on the Cash Box chart in 1954.
In the show, Sid sings it to a recording device, telling himself that he's foolish to continue his advances to Babe. He plays the tape back, and after responding to his own comments, sings a duet with himself.
A popular edit of the single is in Only Fools and Horses, in the episode "Tea for Three", when Uncle Albert (played by Buster Merryfield) sings the song (replacing "Hey There" with "Ada", the name of his wife) in the talent contest at their local pub, the Nags Head. He later tells Rodney that he won the talent contest, much to his horror.
Recorded versions
- Rosemary Clooney (1954)
- Sammy Davis Jr. (1954)
- John Raitt (Broadway Production) (1954)
- Johnnie Ray (1954) (a number 5 hit in the UK Singles Chart in November 1955)[1]
- Eddie Heywood (Instrumental) (1955)
- Edmund Hockridge & Joy Nichols (1955; London Production)
- Barbara Lyon (1955)
- Lita Roza (1955)
- Dalida (1956) (French version)
- John Raitt and Doris Day (1957), from The Pajama Game film
- Fran Warren (1957)
- Stan Kenton and his orchestra (1958)
- Gisele MacKenzie (1958)
- Jimmie Rodgers (1958)
- Sam Butera and The Witnesses (1959)
- Mindy Carson
- Lawrence Welk
- Sam Cooke (1960)
- Joni James (1960)
- Peggy Lee (1960)
- The Three Sounds (1961)
- Caterina Valente (1961)
- The Twiliters (1961)
- Julie London (1962)
- Enrique Guzmán (1963), Spanish version called "Oye"
- Sarah Vaughan (1963)
- Kai Winding (1963)
- Enoch Light and his Light Brigade Orchestra (1964)
- Brook Benton (1966)
- Nancy Wilson (1966)
- Gene Pitney (1967)
- Ray Stevens (1980)
- Pedro Fernández (1990), Spanish version called "Oye"
- Kathie Lee Gifford (1993)
- Anne Murray (1993)
- Thomas Hampson (1996)
- Ron Raines and Judy Kaye (1996), London revival of play
- Marlene VerPlanck (1997)
- The Spitfire Band (1997)
- Carol Woods and Karen Saunders (1998)
- Bette Midler (2003)
- Harry Connick Jr. (2006), Broadway revival of play and found on Harry on Broadway, Act I
- Eric Wangensteen (2011)
In popular culture
- In the season nine episode of Cheers entitled "Days of Wine and Neuroses", Frasier performs the song on the bar's new karaoke machine.
References
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 451. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.