About the Song
In the realm of music, there are songs that fade into obscurity, their melodies and lyrics eventually lost to the passage of time. Then there are those rare gems that transcend generations, their infectious energy and enduring charm captivating audiences across decades. “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by the Andrews Sisters falls into the latter category, a timeless classic that has stood the test of time, remaining as vibrant and exhilarating today as it was when it first burst onto the scene in 1941.
This swinging number, a staple in the Andrews Sisters’ repertoire, is a prime example of the infectious energy and playful spirit that defined the boogie-woogie genre. The song’s title alone evokes a sense of lighthearted fun, conjuring up images of dancers tapping their feet and swaying to the irresistible rhythm.
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy is a song that practically bursts with personality, its lively melody and playful lyrics perfectly suited to the Andrews Sisters’ signature close harmonies. The song opens with a rousing introduction, the trumpet’s fanfare setting the stage for the toe-tapping festivities to come. The Andrews Sisters then take center stage, their voices intertwining in a delightful blend of vocal acrobatics and playful banter.
The lyrics, though simple, are undeniably catchy, painting a vivid picture of a young man named Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, whose talents on the bugle and the dance floor make him the life of the party. The song’s infectious energy is further amplified by the Andrews Sisters’ scat singing, their improvisational vocalizations adding an extra layer of playful exuberance to the performance.
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy quickly became a massive hit upon its release, topping the charts and selling over a million copies. The song’s popularity extended beyond the United States, becoming an international sensation and cementing the Andrews Sisters’ status as one of the most popular vocal groups of the era.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to transport listeners to a time of carefree revelry and unbridled joy. It is a song that celebrates the simple pleasures of life, the power of music to bring people together, and the joy of letting loose and dancing the night away.
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy remains a beloved classic, a testament to the Andrews Sisters’ enduring talent and the power of music to transcend time and cultural boundaries. It is a song that continues to inspire and delight generations of listeners, a reminder of the joy that music can bring into our lives.
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Lyrics: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way
He had a boogie style that no one else could play
He was the top man at his craft
But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft
He’s in the army now, a-blowin’ reveille
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company BThey made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam
It really brought him down because he couldn’t jam
The captain seemed to understand
Because the next day the cap’ went out and drafted a band
And now the company jumps when he plays reveille
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company BA-toot, a-toot, a-toot-diddelyada-toot
He blows it eight-to-the-bar, in boogie rhythm
He can’t blow a note unless the bass and guitar is playin’ with ‘I’m
He makes the company jump when he plays reveille
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company BHe was our boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B
And when he plays boogie woogie bugle he was buzy as a “bzzz” bee
And when he plays he makes the company jump eight-to-the-bar
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company BToot-toot-toot, toot-diddelyada, toot-diddelyada
Toot, toot, he blows it eight-to-the-bar
He can’t blow a note if the bass and guitar isn’t with ‘I’m
A-a-a-and the company jumps when he plays reveille
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company BHe puts the boys asleep with boogie every night
And wakes ’em up the same way in the early bright
They clap their hands and stamp their feet
Because they know how he plays when someone gives him a beat
He really breaks it up when he plays reveille
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company BDa-doo-da da-doo-da-da da
Da-doo-da da-doo-da-da da
Da-doo-da da-doo-da-da da
Da-doo-da da-doo-da-da
A-a-a-and the company jumps when he plays reveille
He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B!