Rockin' Chair

Louis Armstrong

About Rockin' Chair

"Rockin' Chair" is a 1929 popular song with lyrics and music composed by Hoagy Carmichael. Musically it is unconventional, as after the B section when most popular songs return to A, this song has an A-B-C-A1 structure. Carmichael recorded the song in 1929, 1930, and 1956. Mildred Bailey made it famous by using it as her theme song. The song was first recorded on February 19, 1929 by Hoagy Carmichael as a test for Victor Records, but not released at the time. This recording was later released on the Historical label as HLA-37. This version is sung by only one vocalist. Hoagy Carmichael and his Orchestra recorded a new version on May 21, 1930 featuring Bix Beiderbecke on cornet. This second version is with two vocalists (Carmichael and Irving Brodsky) and was released on Victor Records as V-38139B. Louis Armstrong recorded it with Hoagy Carmichael on vocals on December 13, 1929 at Okeh studios after the stock market crashed, giving a badly needed boost to Carmichael's finances. The recording was released as Okeh 8756 in 1930 and became popular in 1932. The song utilises "call and response" to create a dialog between an aged father and his son. Armstrong performed "Rockin' Chair" numerous times in his career with his trombonist Jack Teagarden. Mildred Bailey first recorded the song on August 18, 1932 for Bluebird Records (catalog No. 6945), and later for Vocalion Records (catalog No. 3553). The latter recording was a hit in 1937. She became known as The Rockin' Chair Lady. Other popular versions in 1932 were by The Mills Brothers, and by Louis Armstrong with Hoagy Carmichael. 


Year:
1956
4:21
67 

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Old rockin' chair's got me, my cane by my side
Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide
Can't get from this cabin, goin' nowhere
Just set me here grabbin' at the flies 'round this rockin' chair

My dear old aunt Harriet--in Heaven she be
Send me, sweet chariot, for the end of the trouble I see
Old rockin' chair gets it--Judgement Day is here
Chained to my rockin' chair

Old rockin' chair's got me, son, (rocking chair got you, father)
My cane by my side, (Yes, your cane by your side)
Now fetch me a little gin, son (ain't got no gin, father)
What? 'Fore I tan your hide, now, (you're gonna tan my hide)

You know I can't get from this old cabin (What cabin? Joking)
I ain't goin' nowhere (Why ain't you goin' nowhere?)
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (grabbin')
At the flies round this old rockin' chair (rockin' chair)

Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet (aunt Harriet)
How long in Heaven she be? (She's up in Heaven)
Send me down, send me down, sweet (sweet chariot) chariot
End of this trouble I see (I see, daddy)

Old rockin' chair gets it, son (rocking chair get it, father)
Judgement Day is here too (your Judgement Day is here)
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair

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Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. more »

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Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Song Origin and Writer
"Rockin' Chair" is a famous song written by American composer and songwriter, Hoagy Carmichael.
Performances
The song has been performed by many famed artists, including Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, and The Mills Brothers.
Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagy Carmichael originally wrote "Rockin' Chair" in 1929. It is considered one of his most significant works.
Lyrics Theme
The song's lyrics contain a conversation between an old man and "old rockin' chair," depicting the passing of time and the inevitability of age.
Louis Armstrong
In 1929, the legendary jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong recorded a famous version of "Rockin' Chair." His unique voice and trumpet playing gave a distinct flavor to the song.
Jack Teagarden
Jack Teagarden, a jazz trombonist and singer, is also known for his rendition of "Rockin' Chair." He and Louis Armstrong performed a notable duet version of the song that has often been cited as one of the greatest examples of New Orleans Jazz style.
Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey, an American jazz singer, gave a unique interpretation to "Rockin' Chair" with her version recorded in the 1930s.
The Mills Brothers
The Mills Brothers, an American jazz and pop vocal quartet, popularized the song even further when they performed their rendition of "Rockin' Chair" in the 1930s.
Song Legacy
Through the years, "Rockin' Chair" has been covered by numerous artists in a variety of music genres, testifying to its enduring popularity and influence.

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