Too Fat Polka

For the song by Bill Cook, see You Can Have Her.
"Too Fat Polka"
Single by Arthur Godfrey
Released1947
Songwriter(s)Ross MacLean, Arthur Richardson
Composer(s)Anthony Maresh[1]

"Too Fat Polka" is a novelty song by Ross MacLean and Arthur Richardson. The song is known for its recurrent chorus, "I don't want her, you can have her, she's too fat for me."[2]

A 1947 recording by Arthur Godfrey, with orchestra under the direction of Archie Bleyer,[3] reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts.[4] In 1947–8 recordings were also made by Alain Romans,[5] The Andrews Sisters,[6] Blue Barron,[7] Frank Sinatra,[8] Louis Prima,[9] Lulu Belle and Scotty,[10] Slim Bryant,[11] The Starlighters,[12] Two Ton Baker,[13] and Vic Lewis,[14] among others. Recordings also appeared in Polish,[15] Norwegian,[16] and Danish.[17][18]

The song was a hit for accordionist Frankie Yankovic, appearing on Friendly Tavern Polkas (1960) and subsequent albums.[19]

A cover was allegedly recorded by David Bowie during the Young Americans sessions.[20]

Other recordings

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References

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  1. ^ Greene, Victor (2023). A Passion for Polka: Old-Time Ethnic Music in America. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-91172-7.
  2. ^ Chancellor, Alexander (October 26, 2013). "'Too Fat Polka', and other politically incorrect songs of the 1940s". The Spectator.
  3. ^ Arthur Godfrey; Orchestra under the direction of Archie Bleyer (1947). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). Columbia Records.
  4. ^ "Columbia 78rpm numerical listing discography: 37500–38000". 78discography.com. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  5. ^ Alain Romans et ses rhythmes (1947). Too Fat Polka (Fox-trot) (78 rpm record). Pathé.
  6. ^ Andrews Sisters with Orchestra under the Direction of Vic Schoen (1947). Too Fat Polka (I Don't Want Him, You Can Have Him, He's Too Fat for Me) (78 rpm record). Decca Records.
  7. ^ Blue Barron and His Orchestra, with Vocals by Clyde Burke (1947). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). MGM Records.
  8. ^ Friedwald, Will (1995). Sinatra! The Song is You: A Singer's Art. New York: Scribner. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-684-19368-7.
  9. ^ Louis Prima and His Orchestra (1947). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). RCA Victor.
  10. ^ Lulu Belle and Scotty and their Farm Boys (1947). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). FM Recording Co.
  11. ^ Slim Bryant and His Wildcats (1947). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). Majestic.
  12. ^ The Starlighters with Orchestra (1947). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). Capitol Records.
  13. ^ Dick "Two Ton" Baker and His Music Makers (1947). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). Mercury.
  14. ^ Vic Lewis & His Orchestra (n.d.). Too Fat Polka (78 rpm record). Parlophone.
  15. ^ Frank Curylo with J. Lazarz Orchestra (1948). Za tłusta dla mnie (Too Fat Polka) (78 rpm record) (in Polish). Standard Records.
  16. ^ Jens Book-Jenssen (n.d.). Sirkus polka (Too fat polka) (78 rpm record) (in Norwegian). Musica.
  17. ^ Ove Sopp's Sekstet (Sang: Kordt Sisters) (1947). Olga Polka (Too Fat Polka) (78 rpm record) (in Danish). Odeon.
  18. ^ Teddy Petersen og hans Orkester (n.d.). Olga Polka (Too Fat Polka) (78 rpm record) (in Danish). Polyphon.
  19. ^ Dolgan, Bob (2006). America's Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music. Gray & Company. ISBN 978-1-59851-026-3.
  20. ^ Pegg, Nicholas (2016). The Complete David Bowie. London: Titan Books. pp. 373–379. ISBN 978-1-78565-365-0.
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