The Boogie Woogie Bakery Man

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"The Boogie Woogie Bakery Man" is a song from the animated short Disney film, A Symposium on Popular Songs which was first released in 1962. The song was written by Robert B. Sherman & Richard M. Sherman, performed by Betty Allan, Diane Pendleton and Gloria Wood and arranged by Tutti Camarata. The song's structure and arrangement is closely styled after the Andrews Sisters hit song, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". It is about an "oriental" baker of fortune cookies.

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[edit] Changing sensibilities

At the time the song was written, the term "oriental" would not have been seen as derogatory; however, in recent decades, the term has increasingly been seen to be offensive when used to describe an individual from the far east.

[edit] Inside references

The song makes direct and indirect references to the singing style exemplified by the Andrews Sisters as well as numerous songs from the Swing Era which was the heyday of their career.

[edit] Swing Era Song references

In the very first line of the song, several Swing era songs are referenced:

“ He's my Boogie Woogie, Chattanooga, Sentimental, Oriental, Bakery Man ”

[edit] The Sherman Brothers and the Andrews Sisters

In 1974, twelve years after A Symposium on Popular Songs was first released, the Sherman Brothers worked with the Andrews Sisters on the Tony Award winning show, Over Here! which was also an homage to the 1940s, Swing Era music of the day. Ironically, this would prove to be the "last big hurrah" for the iconic sister act. At that point only Patty and Maxene were still alive. LaVerne died in 1967. A lesser known, similar collaboration occurred in 1970 during the Los Angeles based stage musical production, Victory Canteen with songs by the Shermans. Patty Andrews starred but as a "solo act", without the benefit of either of her sisters in the cast.

[edit] Literary Sources

[edit] Other Sources