I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store)
Encyclopedia
"I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store)" is a popular
song
.
The music was written by Harry Warren
, the lyrics by Mort Dixon
and Billy Rose
. The song was published in 1931
, though the same lyric with different music had been published five years earlier. It was introduced in the Broadway musical Billy Rose's Crazy Quilt, which opened in May, 1931, where it was sung by Fanny Brice
.
Many versions of the song were recorded in 1931. The biggest hit was by Fred Waring
's Pennsylvanians, with a vocal by Clare Hanlon, released by Victor Records as catalog number
22107. The next-most-popular version was by Bing Crosby
, released by Brunswick Records
as catalog number 6128 and a version recorded by the Boswell Sisters
and Victor Young
's Orchestra also had some popularity. The song has since become a pop standard, recorded by many additional people (see below).
called Five and Dime, Oswald plays the piano as sings the song I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store).http://lantz.goldenagecartoons.com/1933.html
In a 1975 episode of All in the Family
, "The Very Moving Day", Gloria, trying to tell her parents that she is pregnant, sings the song to them as a hint: ("I found a million-dollar HMM-HMM at the five and ten cent store"), to which Archie responds, "You found a baby at Woolworth's?"
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
.
The music was written by Harry Warren
Harry Warren
Harry Warren was an American composer and lyricist. Warren was the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song eleven times and won three Oscars for composing "Lullaby of Broadway", "You'll Never Know" and "On the Atchison,...
, the lyrics by Mort Dixon
Mort Dixon
-Biography:Born in New York, Dixon began writing songs in the early 1920s, and was active into the 1930s. He achieved success with his first published effort, 1923's "That Old Gang of Mine". His chief composer collaborators were Ray Henderson, Harry Warren, Harry M...
and Billy Rose
Billy Rose
William "Billy" Rose was an American impresario, theatrical showman and lyricist. He is credited with many famous songs, notably "Me and My Shadow" , "It Happened in Monterey" and "It's Only a Paper Moon"...
. The song was published in 1931
1931 in music
-Events:*May 21 - RCA Victor's first commercially issued 33⅓ rpm record, "Salon Suite, No. 1" by The Victor Salon Orchestra, directed by Nathaniel Shilkret, was recorded*Roy Rogers' musical career begins*Mary Garden retires from the Chicago Opera...
, though the same lyric with different music had been published five years earlier. It was introduced in the Broadway musical Billy Rose's Crazy Quilt, which opened in May, 1931, where it was sung by Fanny Brice
Fanny Brice
Fanny Brice was a popular and influential American illustrated song "model," comedienne, singer, theatre and film actress, who made many stage, radio and film appearances and is known as the creator and star of the top-rated radio comedy series, The Baby Snooks Show...
.
Many versions of the song were recorded in 1931. The biggest hit was by Fred Waring
Fred Waring
Fredrick Malcolm Waring was a popular musician, bandleader and radio-television personality, sometimes referred to as "America's Singing Master" and "The Man Who Taught America How to Sing." He was also a promoter, financial backer and namesake of the Waring Blendor, the first modern electric...
's Pennsylvanians, with a vocal by Clare Hanlon, released by Victor Records as catalog number
Catalog numbering systems for single records
This article presents the numbering systems used by various record companies for single records.- Capitol :...
22107. The next-most-popular version was by Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, released by Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
as catalog number 6128 and a version recorded by the Boswell Sisters
Boswell Sisters
The Boswell Sisters were a close harmony singing group, consisting of sisters Martha Boswell , Connee Boswell , and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell , noted for intricate harmonies and rhythmic experimentation...
and Victor Young
Victor Young
Victor Young was an American composer, arranger, violinist and conductor. He was born in Chicago.-Biography:...
's Orchestra also had some popularity. The song has since become a pop standard, recorded by many additional people (see below).
Recorded versions
- Frank Auburn and his orchestra (recorded May 28, 1931, released by Harmony RecordsHarmony RecordsHarmony Records was a label owned by Columbia Records. It was originally used as a label for low-price 78 rpm records in the 1920s and 1930s; subsequently it was revived as a label for budget albums of reissued tracks during the 1950s with nine or ten songs per album...
as catalog number 1331-H, with the flip side "In the Merry Month of Maybe") - Buddy Blue and his Texans (recorded May 19311931 in music-Events:*May 21 - RCA Victor's first commercially issued 33⅓ rpm record, "Salon Suite, No. 1" by The Victor Salon Orchestra, directed by Nathaniel Shilkret, was recorded*Roy Rogers' musical career begins*Mary Garden retires from the Chicago Opera...
, released by Crown RecordsCrown Records-Modern Records subsidiary:One Crown Records was a Budget Albums record label founded as a subsidiary of Modern Records.-Singles:* 19??: "Musso's Boogie" b/w "Sing Sing Sing" * 19??: "???" b/w "???" * 19??: "???" b/w "???"...
as catalog number 3149A, with the flip side "On the Beach with You") - Chick BullockChick BullockChick Bullock was a popular American jazz and dance band vocalist, most active in the 1930s. He recorded some 500 tunes over the course of his career. Bullock was mostly associated with the ARC group of labels...
(recorded July 2, 1931, released by Banner RecordsBanner RecordsBanner Records was a United States based record label of the 20th century.Banner Records was launched in January 1922 by the Plaza Music Company of New York City. Banner was an extremely popular label in the 1920s, concentrating on popular music of the day. To this day, Banners are often found all...
as catalog numbers 32216 and 32261, by Oriole RecordsOriole RecordsOriole Records may refer to:* Oriole Records * Oriole Records...
as catalog number 2294, by Perfect RecordsPerfect RecordsPerfect Records was a United States based record label of the 1920s and 1930s. It was a subsidiary of Pathé Records, producing standard lateral cut 78 rpm disc records for the US market....
as catalog number 12735, and by Romeo RecordsRomeo RecordsRomeo Records was a record label based in the United States of America in the 1920s and 1930s. It was a subsidiary of Cameo Records, manufactured to be sold exclusively at the S. H. Kress & Co. department store chain...
as catalog number 1665, all with the flip side "I'm Through with Love") - Henry BurrHenry BurrHenry Burr was a Canadian singer of popular songs from the early 20th century, an early radio performer and producer...
(recorded September 16, 1926, released by Victor Records as catalog number 20205, with the flip side "I Want a Pardon for Daddy") - Bobby Byrne and his orchestra (recorded April 29, 1941, released by Decca RecordsDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
as catalog number 3771A, with the flip side "On the Beach at Waikiki") - Carlton Dance Orchestra (released by Madison RecordsMadison RecordsMadison Records was a United States-based record label. It was also sold in the United Kingdom through the F.W. Woolworth dime store chain. It was a subsidiary of Grey Gull Records, produced from 1926 through 1931...
as catalog number 6023, with the flip side "Walking Without You") - The Carolina Club Orchestra (vocal: Skinnay EnnisSkinnay EnnisEdgar Clyde "Skinnay" Ennis, Jr. was an American jazz and pop music bandleader and singer.Ennis was born in Salisbury, North Carolina and met Hal Kemp while attending the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. He joined Kemp's orchestra as a drummer and vocalist in the late 1920s, playing...
; recorded May 15, 1931, released by Melotone RecordsMelotone RecordsMelotone Records has been the name of two unrelated record companies.* Melotone Records , Australia* Melotone Records , United States of America...
as catalog number 12177, with the flip side "Sing a Little Jingle") - Russ Case and his orchestra (released by MGM RecordsMGM RecordsMGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946, for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums of their musical films. Later it became a pop label, lasting into the 1970s...
as catalog number 30337, with the flip side "When a Woman Loves a Man") - Perry ComoPerry ComoPierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
(recorded February 1, 1951, released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-4035, with the flip side "That Old Gang of Mine") - Bing CrosbyBing CrosbyHarry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
(recorded June 12, 1931, released by Brunswick RecordsBrunswick RecordsBrunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
as catalog number 6140, and as catalog number 80045, both with the flip side "I'm Through with Love"; re-recorded July 10, 1940, released by Decca RecordsDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
as catalog number 25502, with the flip side "Please") - Walter DavisWalter Davis-Sports:* Walter Davis an Australian rugby union player* Walter Davis , Millwall F.C. and Wales international footballer* Walt Davis , American basketball player and high-jumper...
(recorded March 13, 1938, released by Bluebird RecordsBluebird RecordsBluebird Records is a sub-label of RCA Victor Records originally created in 1932 to counter the American Record Company in the "3 records for a dollar" market. Along with ARC's Perfect Records, Melotone Records and Romeo Records, and the independent US Decca label, Bluebird became one of the best...
as catalog number 7589, with the flip side "When the Nights Are Lonesome") - Arthur FieldsArthur FieldsArthur Fields was a United States singer and songwriter.He was born Abraham Finkelstein in Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, but grew up mainly in Utica, New York. He became a professional singer as a youngster...
(recorded November 19261926 in music-Events:*January - Blind Lemon Jefferson makes his first recordings.*April 9 - Leopold Stokowski conducts the world premiere of Edgar Varèse's Amériques, with the Philadelphia Orchestra....
, released by Emerson RecordsEmerson RecordsEmerson Records was a record label active in the United States between 1916 to 1928. Emerson Records produced between the 1910s and early 1920s offered generally above average audio fidelity for the era, pressed in high quality shellac. The fidelity of the later issues compares less...
as catalog number 3095, with the flip side "I'm Gonna Park Myself in Your Arms") - Shep FieldsShep FieldsShep Fields was the band leader for the "Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm" orchestra during the Big Band era of the 1930s.-Biography:...
and his orchestra (recorded April 29, 1941, released by Bluebird RecordsBluebird RecordsBluebird Records is a sub-label of RCA Victor Records originally created in 1932 to counter the American Record Company in the "3 records for a dollar" market. Along with ARC's Perfect Records, Melotone Records and Romeo Records, and the independent US Decca label, Bluebird became one of the best...
as catalog number 11150, with the flip side "Marche Slave") - Dizzy GillespieDizzy GillespieJohn Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
with J. Richards (recorded October 31, 1950, released by Discovery RecordsDiscovery RecordsDiscovery Records was a United States-based record label known for its recordings of jazz music.Discovery was founded in 1948 by jazz fan and promoter Albert Marx...
as catalog number 143, with the flip side "What Is There to Say?") - Benny GoodmanBenny GoodmanBenjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
and his orchestra (recorded May 5, 1941, released by Columbia RecordsColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
as catalog number 36136, with the flip side "Good Evenin', Good Lookin'") - Sam Johnson (pseudonym for Len Joy) and his orchestra (recorded June 9, 1931, released by Aurora Records as catalog number 128 and by Timely Tunes Records as catalog number C-1580, both with the flip side "The One-Man Band")
- Billy JonesBilly JonesWilliam "Billy" Jones , a seasoned veteran of the steam era who established the Wildcat Railroad in Los Gatos, California, was born the son of a teamster in the town of Ben Lomond, California, USA....
with M. Kaplan's Orchestra (recorded November 19261926 in music-Events:*January - Blind Lemon Jefferson makes his first recordings.*April 9 - Leopold Stokowski conducts the world premiere of Edgar Varèse's Amériques, with the Philadelphia Orchestra....
, released by OKeh RecordsOkeh RecordsOkeh Records began as an independent record label based in the United States of America in 1918. From 1926 on, it was a subsidiary of Columbia Records.-History:...
as catalog number 40726, with the flip side "Elsie Schultz-en-Heim") - Irving KaufmanIrving Kaufman (singer)Irving Kaufman born Isidore Kaufman Syracuse, New York was a prolific early twentieth century singer, recording artist and Vaudeville performer...
(released by Banner RecordsBanner RecordsBanner Records was a United States based record label of the 20th century.Banner Records was launched in January 1922 by the Plaza Music Company of New York City. Banner was an extremely popular label in the 1920s, concentrating on popular music of the day. To this day, Banners are often found all...
as catalog number 1854, with the flip side "My Girl has Eye Trouble", also released under the name "Charles Dickson" by Oriole RecordsOriole RecordsOriole Records may refer to:* Oriole Records * Oriole Records...
as catalog number 740, with the flip side "Down in Mobile") - Sam LaninSam LaninSam Lanin was an American jazz bandleader.Lanin's brothers, Howard and Lester, were also bandleaders, and all of them had sustained, successful careers in music. Lanin was one of ten children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants who emigrated to Philadelphia in the decade of the 1900s...
and his orchestra (vocal: P. Small; recorded June 2, 1931, released by Banner RecordsBanner RecordsBanner Records was a United States based record label of the 20th century.Banner Records was launched in January 1922 by the Plaza Music Company of New York City. Banner was an extremely popular label in the 1920s, concentrating on popular music of the day. To this day, Banners are often found all...
as catalog number 32219 and by Oriole RecordsOriole RecordsOriole Records may refer to:* Oriole Records * Oriole Records...
as catalog number 2295, both with the flip side "Little Girl") - Jack LeonardJack LeonardJohn "Jack" Leonard was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Small Heath.Leonard was born in Gloucester. A clever dribbler on the right wing, he had a fine season in the Southern League with Bedminster, but fell out of favour and joined Small Heath in November...
(recorded April 28, 1941, released by OKeh RecordsOkeh RecordsOkeh Records began as an independent record label based in the United States of America in 1918. From 1926 on, it was a subsidiary of Columbia Records.-History:...
as catalog number 6200, with the flip side "When Your Lover Has Gone") - Bob Manners and his orchestra (released by Fortune RecordsFortune RecordsFortune Records was a family operated, independent record label located in Detroit, Michigan from 1946 to 1995. The label owners were Jack and Devora Brown, their son Sheldon Brown recorded for the label...
as catalog number 117, with the flip side "Arms and Legs Polka") - Radio Franks (recorded September 21, 1926, released by Cameo RecordsCameo RecordsCameo was a USA based budget record label, first flourishing in the 1920s, not connected with a later record label of the same name which was active in the 1950s and 1960s.The Cameo Record Company was based in Manhattan, New York...
as catalog number 1036, with the flip side "Pretty Birdie", by Challenge RecordsChallenge RecordsChallenge Records has been the name of at least three different record labels in the 20th century:* Challenge Records - a US based company* Challenge Records - a US based company* Challenge Records - a Netherlands based company...
as catalog number 185, with the flip side "Moonlight on the Ganges", by Champion RecordsChampion RecordsThe name Champion Records has been used by at least four record labels.An early Champion label was produced by Gennett Records as an inexpensive label that featured country or "hillbilly" artists, as well as popular bands, hot jazz and blues...
as catalog number CH15178, with the flip side "Here Comes Fatima", and by Romeo RecordsRomeo RecordsRomeo Records was a record label based in the United States of America in the 1920s and 1930s. It was a subsidiary of Cameo Records, manufactured to be sold exclusively at the S. H. Kress & Co. department store chain...
as catalog number 279, with the flip side "Don't I Know It?") - Roy SmeckRoy SmeckRoy Smeck was an American musician. His skill on the banjo, guitar, steel guitar, and especially the ukulele earned him the nickname "Wizard of the Strings."-Background:...
Vita Trio (recorded August 19311931 in music-Events:*May 21 - RCA Victor's first commercially issued 33⅓ rpm record, "Salon Suite, No. 1" by The Victor Salon Orchestra, directed by Nathaniel Shilkret, was recorded*Roy Rogers' musical career begins*Mary Garden retires from the Chicago Opera...
, released by Crown RecordsCrown Records-Modern Records subsidiary:One Crown Records was a Budget Albums record label founded as a subsidiary of Modern Records.-Singles:* 19??: "Musso's Boogie" b/w "Sing Sing Sing" * 19??: "???" b/w "???" * 19??: "???" b/w "???"...
as catalog number 3186A, with the flip side "I'm Through with Love") - Paul SpechtPaul SpechtPaul Specht was an American dance bandleader popular in the 1920s.Born in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, Specht was a violinist, having been taught by his father Charles G. Specht, a violinist, organist, and bandleader in his own right...
and his orchestra (vocal: J. Morris; (recorded May 28, 1931, released by Columbia RecordsColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
as catalog number 2482-D, with the flip side "Wrap Your Troubles in DreamsWrap Your Troubles in Dreams (song)"Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" is a popular song written by Harry Barris with lyrics by Ted Koehler and Billy Moll, published in 1931.The original 1931 popular hit recording was made by Bing Crosby with the Gus Arnheim Orchestra, but the song has become a standard, recorded by many other artists...
") - The Sportsmen and Billy MayBilly MayWilliam E. "Billy" May was an American composer, arranger and trumpeter. He composed film and television music, for The Green Hornet , Batman , and Naked City and collaborated on films, such as Pennies from Heaven , and orchestrated Cocoon, and Cocoon: The Return among...
's orchestra (released by Capitol RecordsCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
as catalog numbers 593 and 1507, both with the flip side "Me and My ShadowMe and My Shadow"Me and My Shadow" is a 1927 popular song. Officially the credits show it as written by Al Jolson, Billy Rose, and Dave Dreyer; in fact, Billy Rose was exclusively a lyricist, Dreyer a composer, and Al Jolson a performer who was often given credits so he could earn some more money, so the actual...
") - The Town Criers (released by ARA Records as catalog number 105, with the flip side "Dance with a Dolly")
- Tommy Tucker and his orchestra (recorded April 21, 1941, released by OKeh RecordsOkeh RecordsOkeh Records began as an independent record label based in the United States of America in 1918. From 1926 on, it was a subsidiary of Columbia Records.-History:...
as catalog number 6188, with the flip side "Blues") - Van and his Orchestra (recorded October 20, 1926, released by Pathé RecordsPathé RecordsPathé Records was a France-based international record label and producer of phonographs, active from the 1890s through the 1930s.- Early years :...
as catalog number 36551 and by Perfect RecordsPerfect RecordsPerfect Records was a United States based record label of the 1920s and 1930s. It was a subsidiary of Pathé Records, producing standard lateral cut 78 rpm disc records for the US market....
as catalog number 14732, both with the flip side "Hello! Swanee, Hello!") - Fred WaringFred WaringFredrick Malcolm Waring was a popular musician, bandleader and radio-television personality, sometimes referred to as "America's Singing Master" and "The Man Who Taught America How to Sing." He was also a promoter, financial backer and namesake of the Waring Blendor, the first modern electric...
's Pennsylvanians (recorded May 4, 1931, released by Victor Records as catalog number 22707A, with the flip side "Sing a Little Jingle") - Victor YoungVictor YoungVictor Young was an American composer, arranger, violinist and conductor. He was born in Chicago.-Biography:...
and his orchestra (vocal: The Boswell Sisters; recorded May 25, 1931, released by Brunswick RecordsBrunswick RecordsBrunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
as catalog number 6128, with the flip side "Sing a Little Jingle") - Barbra StreisandBarbra StreisandBarbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
recorded the song for the Funny LadyFunny LadyFunny Lady is a 1975 film starring Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Omar Sharif, Roddy McDowall, and Ben Vereen.A sequel to the 1968 film Funny Girl, it is a highly fictionalized account of the later life and career of comedienne Fanny Brice and her marriage to songwriter and empresario Billy Rose...
soundtrack (1975).
Other media references
In a 1933 cartoon of Oswald the Lucky RabbitOswald the Lucky Rabbit
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is an anthropomorphic rabbit and animated cartoon character created by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney for films distributed by Universal Pictures in the 1920s and 1930s...
called Five and Dime, Oswald plays the piano as sings the song I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store).http://lantz.goldenagecartoons.com/1933.html
In a 1975 episode of All in the Family
All in the Family
All in the Family is an American sitcom that was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979. In September 1979, a new show, Archie Bunker's Place, picked up where All in the Family had ended...
, "The Very Moving Day", Gloria, trying to tell her parents that she is pregnant, sings the song to them as a hint: ("I found a million-dollar HMM-HMM at the five and ten cent store"), to which Archie responds, "You found a baby at Woolworth's?"