I'm Sure Of Everything But You - Sydney Raymond And His Commanders (Sydney Lipton) - Sterno 1155

A delightful side by Sydney Lipton's band from 1933
SYDNEY RAYMOND AND HIS COMMANDERS
Dydney Lipton, vn, dir: Charlie Price and/or another, t / Bud Hammond, tb / Cyril Grantham, cl, as, v / Victor Boulcott, cl, as / Jimmy Shankland, cl, ts / Billy Reid, p, a / Harry Thorne, g / sb / Jock Jacobson, d.
London, February 23, 1933

[@telmar98]

Very pleasantly performed by this talented combination - good to hear Cyril Grantham too.

[@anthonyfrew1571]

I had almost forgotten this number - I will be singing all day

[@petermintunmusic]

This song typifies what a Tin Pan Alley songwriter yearned for. A “popular song!” A catchy, syncopated refrain that repeats itself, and a wacky bridge to join the parts (AABA). Like “We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye,” the lyrics are wildly surreal and memorable (“I bought a bowl of goldfish, and they swim, and everything! Canaries in their cages say you ought to hear them sing - the dog and cat, they don’t know where they’re at, they’re yearning for your company.“) it is a lyric that Noël Coward would not want to hear, but he might like the royalties! I think certain songwriters knew they could create independent songs, appealing to the public’s taste. This melody and rhythm are perfectly suited for the dancing crowd, and the lyrics are whimsical enough to make a listener want to memorize them to amuse their friends. Every generation has its incredibly popular silly songs (“Crazy Words, Crazy Tune,” “Three Little Fishies,” “The Scat Song,” “Goopy Gear,” “Mairzy Doats,” “Witch Doctor,” “Yellow Submarine,” Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini,” Etc. So this song always makes me smile!

[@JonathanHolmesjazz]

@@petermintunmusic very interesting observations, thank you!

[@MrTrapdrummer]

Terrific melody, one of my favourites, great version as well by Ted Lewis of course.

[@daveschmarder-1950]

The beginning of this song reminded me a little of Phil Harris.