April Showers (song)
"April Showers" is a 1921 popular song composed by Louis Silvers with lyrics by B. G. De Sylva.
History
The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo, where it was performed by Al Jolson. It became a well-known Jolson standard: the first of his several recordings of the song was on Columbia Records in October 1921. It has also been recorded by many other artists.Spike Jones and Doodles Weaver produced a parody that began with the lyrics: "When April showers, she never closes the curtain..."
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 sang it, but a bucket of water being thrown over Eric Morecambe whenever he did the same.
Film appearances
- 1926 A Plantation Act sung by Al Jolson
- 1936 The Singing Kid sung by Al Jolson
- 1939 Rose of Washington Square sung by Al Jolson
- 1946 The Jolson Story sung by Al Jolson
- 1946 Margie sung by Jeanne Crain and chorus
- 1948 April Showers
- 1949 Always Leave Them Laughing played at the Canal Street Boys Club and sung by Milton Berle.
- 1949 Jolson Sings Again sung by Al Jolson
- 1956 The Eddy Duchin Story
- 1962 Wet Hare sung by Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny imitating Jolson
Recorded versions
- Victor Arden
- John Arpin
- Chris Barber - included in the album Chris Barber Plays - Vol. 2
- Les Brown and His Band of Renown
- Carol Burnett
- Cab Calloway
- Steve Conway
- Bing Crosby &
- Ruth Etting
- Arthur Fields
- Eddie Fisher
- Judy Garland - Judy
- Eydie Gorme - for her album Love Is a Season
- Ernie Hare
- Charles Harrison
- Ted Heath
- Woody Herman
- Joni James
- Al Jolson
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- * Commercial recording October 21, 1921
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- * Commercial recording December 20, 1932 with Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra
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- * Commercial recording August 10, 1945
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- Teddy Joyce and His Orchestra
- Teddi King - All The King's Songs
- Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
- Abe Lyman and his California Orchestra
- Arthur Prysock
- The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band
- Jimmy Roselli
- Frank Sinatra
- Mel Tormé
- Leslie Uggams
- Ian Whitcomb
- Paul Whiteman and his orchestra
- Margaret Whiting
- Jackie Wilson
- Kai Winding
- Isadora's sneakers sing the part of the song in a Sesame Street animation clip
- Bugs Bunny in the Warner Bros. Cartoons animated short Wet Hare
- NRBQ
Lyrics
Below are the lyrics of the 1921 version, which is out of copyright.Verse 1
Verse 2
Chorus