Saturday 9: Paper Doll (1943)

 

Paper Doll

Saturday 9: Paper Doll (1943)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The song is about a fellow who is exasperated by men flirting with his girl. Do you have a jealous streak? 

I did when I was young, but not really anymore.

2) He's blue after a quarrel with Sue. Did you exchange harsh words with anyone recently?  

Not that I can recall.

3) "Paper Doll" was #1 for 12 weeks in 1943-44, sold 11 million copies and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. Had you heard it before today?  

Yes, I played my mom's 45's when I was a kid pretending I was a DJ and that was one of the records I played.  Well, now that I think about it more...that may not have been in my line up.  I have definitely heard it though.

4) As kids, the Mills Brothers worked on their harmonies in front of their father's Piqua, OH, barbershop, much to the delight of passers by. Do you often encounter street musicians in your neighborhood?  

Never.  I don't encounter much of anything.  It is quiet at my house most of the time.

5) The Mills Brothers were a long way from that street corner when, in 1936, they became the first African Americans to perform for the British Royal Family. It's about 4,000 miles from Piqua to London. What's the farthest you've ever been from home? 

1200 miles or so.

6) In the early 1930s, the Mills Brothers not only performed songs on radio, they sang jingles for Standard Oil and Crisco. What commercial can you recall having seen (or heard) lately? 

The only one I can think of is the Dunkin' Donuts commercial from the Superbowl-Dunkings.

7) In 1943, when "Paper Doll" was popular, WWII was raging and the US Mint began producing steel pennies because copper was needed for ammunition. Do you have any pennies in your pocket or wallet right now?  

oh yes, I do not spend coins like I should.

8) Also in 1943, a bottle of Coke was a nickel. When did you most recently have a soft drink? What was it?  

I had a Pepsi today.

9) Random question: Have you learned more from your successes, or your failures?  

I would say failures.  They say we always hang onto the negative things that happen to us and that it is our brain's way of keeping us safe.  You might be told 10 great things about yourself and one bad thing.  That bad things is the thing you will remember.  We talk in my classroom how we learn from our mistakes and that is ok to make mistakes and that has been my experience.  We learn and do better.  Give yourself grace!