Makin' Whoopee
1928 song by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Makin' Whoopee" is a song first popularized by Eddie Cantor in the 1928 musical Whoopee!. Gus Kahn wrote the lyrics and Walter Donaldson composed the music for the song as well as for the entire musical.
| "Makin' Whoopee" | |
|---|---|
 Sheet music, 1928 | |
| Song | |
| Published | 1928 by Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble |
| Released | 1928 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Composer | Walter Donaldson |
| Lyricist | Gus Kahn |
The title refers to celebrating a marriage. Eventually "making whoopee" became a euphemism for intimate sexual relations.[1] The song has been called a "dire warning", largely to men, about the "trap" of marriage.[2] "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.
The original lyrics and music of the song entered the public domain in the United States in 2024.[3]
Lyrics
Another bride, another June Another sunny honeymoon Another season, another reason For makin' whoopee
A lot of shoes, a lot of rice The groom is nervous, he answers twice Its really killin' that he's so willin' To make whoopee
Now picture a little love nest Down where the roses cling Picture the same sweet love nest Think what a year can bring
He's washing dishes and baby clothes He's so ambitious, he even sews But don't forget, folks Thats what you get, folks, for makin' whoopee
Another year or maybe less What's this I hear? Well, you can't confess She feels neglected and he's suspected Of makin' whoopee
She sits alone most every night He doesn't phone her, he doesn't write He says he's busy, buut she says, "is he?" He's makin' whoopee
He doesn't make much money Only five thousand per Some judge who thinks he's funny Says, "You'll pay six to her"
He says, "Now judge, suppose I fail?" The judge say, "Budge right into jail You'd better keep her, I think it's cheaper Than makin' whoopee
You'd better keep her, I think it's cheaper Than makin' whoopee"
Other versions
- 1928 Bing Crosby recorded the song on December 22, 1928 with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.[4][5] It made #8 on the Billboard charts.
- 1964 Ray Charles released the song as a single on ABC-Paramount, improvising new lyrics and asides.[6]
- 1980 Yoko Ono under the title "Yes, I'm Your Angel" and with altered lyrics,[7] Double Fantasy
- 1989 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, earning a Grammy Award in 1989.
- 1989 Branford Marsalis performed a cover in 1989 for his album Trio Jeepy. It would later be the first song that was ever played on VH1 Smooth on August 1, 1998.[8]
- 1989 In a provocative scene from the film The Fabulous Baker Boys, Michelle Pfeiffer accompanied by Jeff Bridges character, performed the song while seductively lying across a grand piano. In reality, the piano was played by Dave Grusin.
- 2012 Rachael MacFarlane sang the song on the album Hayley Sings. It was also on an episode of American Dad!
- Advertising
- Pepsi used the melody of "Makin' Whoopee" with new lyrics, sung by Joanie Sommers, for its advertising campaign "Now It's Pepsi -- For Those Who Think Young" starting in 1961.[9]
- Heinz created a 1993 commercial in which a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of salsa "make whoopee" in a refrigerator, resulting in a salsa-style ketchup.[10]