SAMMY DAVIDS Jr Mr Bojangles Reaction - He's delivery and interpretation is genius!

[@gwenmorantz7767]

One of the most talented individuals that ever existed. Sing, dance,act, played multiple instruments and did impersonations and did it all exceptionally well.

[@trishlangford5773]

Just the best. The G.O.A.T. No-one else has ever come close. Have lived him all my life. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gloriamartinez8960]

The best of the best, such a talented entertainer... Enjoyed his music, still am..❤🎉❤

[@shirleynewman8483]

I agree, he is at the top of entertainers, miss him and his talent but feel lucky to have seen and heard him in my lifetime.

[@descendantoffools9767]

I remember watching him on different tv specials in the 70's. The word 'entertainer' was so fitting for him. He could sing, dance, tell jokes and played several instruments.

[@thomastimlin1724]

And do some good imitations as well.

[@davidchamberlain5425]

Jerry Jeff Walker ...March 16th1942--------23rd October 2020........R.I.P.......this song was written when he did a prison sentence and met a minstrel🤔🤔👍....a lovely song and sang equally well by Jerry too!.....👍

[@Cuffsmaster]

This song was hard for Sammy because it mirrored his life. He sometimes broke down singing it. He started singing and dancing with his father at a very very early age.

[@realcoolbreeze]

Yes, Sammy was ridiculously talented. Loved and adored by the public.,My parents loved him.,Watched him on tv often when I was young. Popular entertainer and was so talented. One of the best entertainers I have ever seen . Great storyteller and theatrical in his songs. Left a big legacy as an entertainer.😊👍

[@donrogers1337]

One of the greatest all round entertainers of all time. Simply a joy to watch. See if You can find film of Him when He was a Quick - Draw expert.

[@OddBall1958]

One of the greatest entertainers of my time! Awesome. Also a good friend back in the day. Thanks for the memory. Check out "Candy Man" you'll like that one too.

[@lonniekay3506]

Totally agree

[@greybeard2280]

Love Sammy! Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did a great cover of this song back in the 70's, but no one can out do Sammy!

[@edithdavis2848]

Sammy one of the Rat Pack of top Stars in Vegas. Great singer, dancer, actor just an all around great preformer. Bojangles very famous dancer, was in movies with Shirley Temple.

[@dagmar.6954]

Sammy Davis Jr. was an American singer, dancer, actor, comedian, film producer & television director. He was also part of the famous "Rat Pack", led by his friend Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop & Peter Lawford. He appeared in many movies, television & performed in Las Vegas. Sammy had some great songs such as "Hey There", "Something’s Gotta Give", "That’s Entertainment", "Me & My Shadow", I've Gotta Be Me", "The Candy Man", "Mr. Bojangles", "Birth Of The Blues" etc.

[@davidstephens6462]

Also an amazing musician! Play drums, mallets (xylophone, marimba, vibes) and piano. Very, very well.

[@wiggion]

Sammy was the coolest cat there ever was

[@psmolek7438]

Sammy Davis Jr. was one of the classiest entertainers. I loved him.

[@valogden]

Sammy started in vaudeville when he was 4 years old with his dad. His film career started in 1933. This is one of my favorite songs that he sung. He was the ultimate performer.

[@unclebounce1495]

Thanks for reacting to this great song and masterful performance. BTW, Sammy' father was a street performer/dancer. I think that's why he had such an emotional connection to this song, but i'm sure his personal life connected him to it, too. Song wrenches my heart.

[@gpxo11]

Studio version of Sammy's Candy Man will make you smile big time!

[@kirpalite]

In addition to all the talents mentioned, he also could do stand-up comedy AND great impressions! The most talented American entertainer EVER.

[@vcktf2852]

This song was written by Jerry Jeff Walker and I love the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band version.

[@pablolazaromartinez3541]

What a song! Such an interpreter!

[@rhiahlMT]

I can't say anything more than what you said about Sammy Davis, Jr. One of the Rat Pack. Another class act was Frank Sinatra. They (the Rat Pack) would book into clubs back in the 50s. During the Jim Crow era. Sammy wasn't allowed to go into the club via the same doors at some places. Frank Sinatra, would let them know, if they held up to that rule, they would walk out.

[@MrRondonmon]

His best version was 1972 in Germany via the UNICEF version, the crowd was all upon him, makes me cry every time. This was his 2nd best version, soma good pick.

[@williamthelast1]

Samy Davis Junior was a real gentleman. He was a dancer, a singer, he maked us laugh so much, and he was a brilliant People. Black could be so beautiful !!!

[@annberrios9759]

Wow! The grace and the timing of the dance is so brilliant. How did Sammy Davis coordinate so well with the orchestra?

[@suzie4417]

Sammy, Frank Sinatra,Dean Martin were great friends and very popular in Vegas, & were on television for the specials 🎉My family loved seeing Sammy dance & sing, play different instruments & have his buddies share the stage. RIP dear Sammy 💕

[@shelleybleu4903]

I tear up every time the dog part comes up. at least 55 years of hearing it too.

[@edithmaxim2041]

You can see the dancer he's talking about Mr. Bojangles in a Shirley Temple movie. They do a great dancing number on a staircase.

[@stardust164]

ooohhhh this is an oldie!!!!

[@mauramanning852]

That pose he takes throughout (and especially at the end) was endemic to Bill Robinson. You can see it in "The Little Colonel" with Shirley Temple. It was one of Robinsons trade marks.....so Sammy was definitely referencing Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson when he sang this song. I grew up in the 70's. God we were lucky! So many greats still going strong.

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

This song is not about Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. This song is about a white man.

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

This song is not, repeat, is not about Bill Robinson.

[@richardfox1605]

This is far anawy the very best version of this song ever. No ime sings this like Sammy

[@atombomb31458]

such a beautiful performance

[@Lakeshore14]

You are absolutely right Harri. Sammy was the ultimate entertainer and could do anything and did it well. I doubt the world would see another like him. 😊

[@Ozzcaddy]

One of the original 'Rat Pack'. This is a young Sammy Davis Jnr performing. A video of him in Las Vegas in concert at an older age, performs this song, which I think is a better performance and interpretation than this video. He was also brilliant in the movie Sweet Charity where he sang the song The Rhythm of Life.

[@debbiechang5781]

Cynthia, you did it again! I think you and Greybeard are in my head. Sammy Davis Jr was such an amazing entertainer! Thanks for another winner🌺✌️

[@chefteach53]

The story of Bill Robinson(Mr. Bo Jangles) Check out some of his dancing in old movies. Up and down the staircase with Shirley Temple. This is a great version of Jerry Jeff Walker's tune.

[@wgj4everlong426]

@@BobSoltis1 Thanks,saved me some typing

[@thomastimlin1724]

@@BobSoltis1 👍Thanks for making that clear. So many misunderstandings/misinformation out there. I knew this but so many don't

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

This song is not about Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Robinson never spent one second in any jail. This song is about a down and out white man. The song was written by a white man. During that time, white and Black men would not have shared a jail cell in New Orleans, it would have been against the law to put them in the same cell together. Bill "Bojangles" was a highly paid star of stage and film, he was never down and out, nor was he a drunk who would have been in a drunk tank in some local jail. He certainly didn't dance for drinks and tips.

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

This song is not about Bill Robinson, who was never known as "Mr. anything". During Robinson's lifetime, white people wound not afford Black Americans the dignity of referring to by the title of "Mr." or "Miss/Mrs.". This song was written about a white man whom the song writer encountered in a jail cell in New Orleans, LA.

[@personalcheeses8073]

Beautiful song and fantastic rendition from Sammy 👏👏👏

[@flutesong5527]

A complete artist and a total experience and he was a gift to the world

[@MrCnurse]

A true performer.

[@j.k.1963]

Yes, awesome! I love this one sooooo much! Great choice Harri.

[@Dee-JayW]

Takes me back to piano lessons in Grade 5, playing this lovely song, which I found so sad. Loved watching him on various TV specials/shows

[@fredscott5644]

Sammy was a pure entertainer, he could do it all. Great actor, dancer and singer, loved the man and where he stood. I always watched when he was on variety shows in the 60's and 70's because you knew you were going to get entertained. I own a few of his albums and when you dig deeper into his catalogue you will find a lot of gems. Thank you!

[@O_Dingo77]

Fun fact, I'm 52 and this is the first song I ever remember hearing as a baby.

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

I love Sammy Davis Jr and always remember a 1 hour show he did for the TV It was mesmorizingly good On.the BBC An.uninterrupted 1 hour of Mr Davis solo. No one else. Hr was great pals with Bruce Forsyth also

[@damonhines8187]

Blessings on Sammy's memory, and thanks to Jerry Jeff Walker for this lovely, humble homage to Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson.

[@SuperVonKiller]

In this version, he not only acted out the song, he lived it!

[@christinelegate8137]

One of the GOATS, for sure. Michael Jackson was a big fan. I can see some of Michael’s moves in this.

[@dsusan17]

Oh this is my favorite version. Great pick Cynthia. He was a triple threat. He could sing, dance and act. I have read this song was homage to greats like the Nicholas Brothers and Bill Robinson. Great reaction Harri.

[@olivegreenpants7153]

Mine too. From the Flip Wilson Show.

[@tapduff]

Yes, Ridiculously talented!! Check out What Kind of Fool Am I, live version

[@riccardoangeli802]

Talento ....

[@patrician7445]

A great part of my growing up was when someone would play this on the jukebox along with "Hickory Hollar's Tramp" and Linda Ronstadt in her early days singing "High Muddy Water" with the Stone Ponies."

[@zeppelinfan9360]

They don't make them like this anymore! 🎸☮️💕

[@bigsteve6200]

Another song/performance that ment a lot to Sammy Davis Jr. Old Man River. A show tune about the treatment of slaves in the pre American Civil War days. Very powerful performance.

[@violethomesteadgeorgia7278]

Loved his music and shows. Watched him on an episode of the Wild Wild West. He was a good actor.

[@davidbentley145]

He started out as a hoofer and junior partner in the Will Maston trio and spite of many obstacles in his life this man rose to the top and everyone loved him for it...There was nothing he couldn't do!...Ty Harri for this

[@RFWieder]

Talk about a minority, an african-american, handicapped ( he lost an eye in an auto accident ), Jewish, married to a white woman, and one of the greatest entertainers to ever live!!!

[@cathleencooks748]

One of my favorite Sammy Davis Jr songs & I think he did the best version of it is Birth of the Blues.

[@elizabethdumas4147]

Probably the best all around entertainer. He could sing, dance, act, and was very funny. He had absolutely no formal school education but was very intelligent. He experienced racism, but he never appeared bitter and was always gracious. John F Kennedy refused to let him perform at his inauguration after he married white actress Mary Britt. Frank Sinatra was livid about this and he and Kennedy were done. I watched Sammy's biography and was so impressed by him. The only thing missing was his left eye which he lost from a car accident.

[@kathrynkissane5144]

I raised my 2 sons on the good stuff like this. In their 20's now, none of their peers know all of this gold, which is tragic.

[@charlesbunch8383]

Beautiful!

[@Thejazzfan66]

There’s no doubt that Sammy Davis Jrr was one of the greatest all around entertainers of all time!

[@amberdog2349]

Sammy wasn't the world's best singer or best dancer or best actor but did them all very very well. This made him the best entertainer of all time.

[@johndavidson5228]

Thanks much for this one.

[@annpriddy7941]

Bojangles Robinson was a dancer from Richmond Virginia around the turn-of-the-century. He went from dirt poor little boy to a movie star. We have a statue to him here in town.

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

This song is not about Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Robinson never spent one second in any jail. This song is about a down and out white man. The song was written by a white man. During that time, white and Black men would not have shared a jail cell in New Orleans, it would have been against the law to put them in the same cell together. Bill "Bojangles" was a highly paid star of stage and film, he was never down and out, nor was he a drunk who would have been in a drunk tank in some local jail. He certainly didn't dance for drinks and tips.

[@JMD1965]

He was also a pistol quick-draw/gun-twirling expert AND an excellent drummer... A quick search will turn up several videos from TV appearances showcasing these talents.

[@markburnham7512]

SDjr was a master entertainer, no doubt about it. This is a great sophisticated take on this song. For me the classic version is by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It certainly put them on the map back in the day.

[@johngibson6758]

Nice Harri👌 good to catch up with the childhood again, love how you let play then comment bang on

[@beverlysmith8025]

Brilliant...

[@sandraadams6204]

He was the epitome of elegance here.

[@bobsteinzig]

Jerry Jeff Walker wrote Mr Bojangles. David Bromberg, Jerry's Guitarist, tells the story that Jerry met Mr Bojangles in the Lea High County jail. Now he wasn't there on a research project. He met the Right Women in the right Place at the wrong time...And HER HUSBAND THE BARTENDER...

[@elvee6992]

You saved me a lot of typing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6aqaZ56jseNa7M

[@victorcowboywest]

Jerry Jeff Walker songwriter and original singer(3/16/1942-10/23/2020) Said that he was inspired to write the song after an encounter with a street performer who called himself " Mr. Bonjangles" in New Orleans jail. First cover by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Then Mr. D made it one of his theme songs ( Although it was said that was a fear that Sammy said he had). All in all the character was basically fictional.

[@flossygalloway5967]

MR Bo was first class top drawer . An taught Shirley temple his steps.

[@davidbentley145]

This song is based on Mister "Bojangles" Bill Robinson,legendary tap impresario from the 30's and 40's...Sammy's idol!

[@tedmohr6353]

Jerry Jeff Walker wrote this song, covered by alot, it is a true story. Sammy takes it to a different level.

[@melissabrooke1146]

I remember this!

[@rogeriofernandes138]

There's a great version of this song performed by Neil Diamond too. Awesome!!

[@stephen5465]

Considering how severe his accident in the 50's was it was amazing to see him sing and dance again for so many years. A true entertainer

[@charlenewebb5893]

Love Sammy .Please Do Candy Man From Sammy !

[@MegaSmarterthanyou]

I saw this when it came on tv , he killed it ..... Sammy was always great , no one can match him , sorry not even michael jackson

[@hildat8]

Michael fashioned a lot of his dancing from Mr. Davis Jr.

[@neildonley9626]

The best is David Bromberg's live version. With the story of how Jerry Jeff Walker wrote it.

[@dougca7086]

There were many great covers of this song two of the better ones along with Sammy Davis's were the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Jerry Jeff Walker totally different type of arrangements but sound great

[@John_Chu]

Jerry Jeff Walker wrote the song.

[@musicairplanes4884]

Don't forget the great David Bromberg's version.

[@debbiechang5781]

I always liked the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band version. I think it’s the best known one. It’s a great song😁

[@craigaust3306]

@@debbiechang5781 I totally agree. It’s the definitive version.

[@gpxo11]

@@debbiechang5781 Particularly the version with the old dog Teddy singing the old rugged cross!!

[@johncarr8684]

Davis only had one eye. Took some from his amazing tap dancing. I gloved the man. He could do serious acting and comedy. Multiple talents.

[@johncarr8684]

1:30 AMJanuary 1, 2023. Happy New Year!

[@edithmaxim2041]

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had a great hit of this song.

[@ubilo]

Frank Sinatra knew talent when he saw it. He loved Sammy.

[@andrewclayton4181]

Fantastic performance. I remember watching him on TV when I was younger, and following up his interview on the Parkinson show by doing a spot. He was so talented. Neil Diamond does a good rendition of this song, but it's only a pale comparison to Sammy's tour de force. Good reaction Hari.

[@rmac8008]

Jerry Jeff walker wrote this Nitty gritty dirt band has a hit Rainy night was written by tony joe white

[@j0k3rday]

Sammy Davis Jr was reportedly the second fastest gun in Hollywood. Second only to Jerry Lewis. According to the "Fastest Gun Who Ever Lived," Bob Munden, Davis was the second-fastest draw

[@OddBall1958]

Fastest draw in Hollywood goes to Glen Ford at 0.04s.

[@OddBall1958]

@@BobSoltis1 Right! My mistake, 0.4. There are conflicting storries out there as to who was fastest. Hugh O’Brian claimed his 0.25 of a second was the fastest, but Davis Jr. and Lewis were reportedly faster. There is no hard evidence to Davis or Lewis. When I knew Davis I was always amazed with his abilities with guns. He was simply AWESOME!

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

The second fasted gun lies in Boot Hill. :-)

[@Jane-AnimalFriend]

This version is a bit theatrical for me. Jerry Jeff Walker wrote the song and his version is one of the best.

[@reddchan]

❤

[@ericcriteser4001]

Please listen all the way through before the commentary. The piano part was really the treat along with Mr. Davis.

[@timothykelley3635]

It was written by Jerry Jeff walker

[@thomastimlin1724]

Jerry Jeff Walker wrote this, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had the hit, Davis incorporated it into his act because he was a dancer. Bojangles was the nick name of Bill Robinson famous dancer in vaudeville and stage, African American who danced many time with Shirley Temple in the 1930's, on film. bujt this song has little to do with Bill, they just borrowed his nickname.

[@rubroken]

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did probably the best, at least the best known version of this song

[@alanmusicman3385]

The NGDB version is IMO more respectful to the song (less Vegas). However, in the UK I think Harry Nilsson's version got more airplay than their version - and maybe that's why I prefer Harry's version.

[@davidstephens6462]

Need to do the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band version.

[@lindataggart2087]

Check out the song by the man that wrote this song Jerry Jeff Walker... a good video to watch is Jerry Jeff Walker with Todd Snider.. it's based on a true story by Jerry Jeff Walker

[@G-y_m]

I just had to put my dog down. I def feel this song

[@personalcheeses8073]

Watch Bill (Mr Bojangles) Robinson dancing on the staircase with Shirley Temple in The Little Colonel

[@personalcheeses8073]

@@BobSoltis1 Oh yes you are right. The Mr Bojangles in the song was a street performer. But the other Mr Bojangles is still a delight to watch

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

This song isn't about Bill Bojangles Robinson, it is about a white street performer.

[@bobsteinzig]

Bill "BOJANGLE" Robinson

[@bobsteinzig]

Check out him doing "Old Man River"

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

This is a very slowed down version, to give more weight to the words. Beautifully done, but listen to the radio version too, was a lot more cheerful.