April Showers
Encyclopedia
"April Showers" is a popular
song.
The music was written by Louis Silvers
, the lyrics by B. G. De Sylva. The song was published in 1921.
The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo
, where it was performed by Al Jolson
. It has become a well-known Jolson trademark, recorded by him many times, but it has also been recorded by many other artists. "April Showers" is one of many popular songs whose lyrics use a "Bluebird of happiness
" as a symbol of cheer. ("So keep on looking for a bluebird, and waiting for his song.") Jolson first recorded the song in October 1921 on Columbia records.
The British
comedians Morecambe and Wise
performed a skit featuring the song, which involved a light sprinkling of water drizzling on straight man
Ernie Wise
whenever he sung it, but a bucket of water being thrown over Eric Morecambe
whenever he did the same.
Spike Jones
and Doodles Weaver
produced a parody that began with these lyrics:
When April showers, she never closes the curtain...
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
song.
The music was written by Louis Silvers
Louis Silvers
Louis "Lou" Silvers was an American film score composer whose work has been used in more than 250 movies. In 1935, he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for One Night of Love.-Early life and career:...
, the lyrics by B. G. De Sylva. The song was published in 1921.
The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo
Bombo (musical)
Bombo is a Broadway musical with a book and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge and music by Sigmund Romberg.Produced by Lee Shubert and J. J. Shubert, the Broadway production, staged by J. C. Huffman, opened on October 6, 1921 at the Jolson Theatre, where it ran for 219 performances...
, where it was performed by Al Jolson
Al Jolson
Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
. It has become a well-known Jolson trademark, recorded by him many times, but it has also been recorded by many other artists. "April Showers" is one of many popular songs whose lyrics use a "Bluebird of happiness
Bluebird of happiness
The mythology of the bluebird of happiness has deep roots that go back thousands of years. Indigenous cultures across the globe hold similar myths and beliefs about the bluebird. It is a widely accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, the...
" as a symbol of cheer. ("So keep on looking for a bluebird, and waiting for his song.") Jolson first recorded the song in October 1921 on Columbia records.
The British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comedians Morecambe and Wise
Morecambe and Wise
Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, usually referred to as Morecambe and Wise, or Eric and Ernie, were a British comic double act, working in variety, radio, film and most successfully in television. Their partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death in 1984...
performed a skit featuring the song, which involved a light sprinkling of water drizzling on straight man
Double act
A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic pairing in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin and profession, but drastically different personalities or behavior...
Ernie Wise
Ernie Wise
Ernest Wiseman OBE , known by his stage name Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became an institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials.-Career:Ernest Wiseman was the eldest of five children, and changed...
whenever he sung it, but a bucket of water being thrown over Eric Morecambe
Eric Morecambe
John Eric Bartholomew OBE , known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise formed the award-winning double act Morecambe and Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death of a heart attack in 1984...
whenever he did the same.
Spike Jones
Spike Jones
Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers cartoon characters, performed a drunken, hiccuping verse for 1942's "Clink! Clink! Another Drink"...
and Doodles Weaver
Doodles Weaver
Winstead Sheffield Weaver , who used the professional name Doodles Weaver, was an American actor and comedian on radio, recordings, and television. He was the brother of NBC executive Sylvester "Pat" Weaver and the uncle of actress Sigourney Weaver.Born in Los Angeles, Weaver was given the nickname...
produced a parody that began with these lyrics:
When April showers, she never closes the curtain...
Recorded versions
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- (1921 Broadway Production)
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) - (1936, in the film The Singing Kid)
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)
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