Clancy Lowered the Boom
"Clancy Lowered the Boom" is a song written by Hy Heath and Johnny Lange in 1947, made famous by Dennis Day on Jack Benny's radio program (The Jack Benny Program). The song follows the adventures of an Irish-American stereotype as he "lowers the boom" on any person that gives him "guff". Day's recording for RCA Victor briefly charted in the No. 23 spot in the Billboard charts in 1949.[1]
| "Clancy Lowered the Boom" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Dennis Day | |
| Written | 1947 |
| Released | 1949 |
| Genre | Folk |
| Label | RCA Victor |
| Lyricist(s) | Hy Heath, Johnny Lange |
Several variations of the lyrics are available online, but do not include the final line from Dennis Day's RCA recording: "Sure, 'twas the most beautiful fight y' ever did see when Clancy lower'd the boom!"
Others
The song was also recorded by Dan Dailey and The Andrews Sisters on March 11, 1949 for Decca Records (catalog No. 24610)[2] and additionally by the Ames Brothers who recorded it for Coral Records (catalog No. 60154) on January 21, 1949.[3] It was Petula Clark's second single in 1949.[4] Alice Faye sang the song at least four times on The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show.[5]
On his VH1 Storytellers record with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash mentions that the melody for his well-known Columbia Records hit "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" was taken from "Clancy Lowered the Boom".
References
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 121. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- "Petula Clark Discography". petulaclark.net. Archived from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Rivadue, Barry (1990). Alice Faye: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-26525-9.