M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I
Encyclopedia
The song M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I was written by Ben Ryan
for Frances White
, who introduced it in the Florenz Ziegfeld
revue Midnight Frolics in 1916, and it was used again two years later in a revue called Hitchy-Koo
.
The inspiration for the song probably did not result from the difficulty of spelling the name of the river and the state, but rather from the fun of saying "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I." As a result of the song's popularity, almost everybody can spell Mississippi
correctly. Words by Bert Hanlon and Ben Ryan
; Music by Harry Tierney
Ben Ryan (composer)
Bennett A. "Ben" Ryan was an American songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics to the popular song Heart of My Heart...
for Frances White
Frances White
Frances White is a British actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Kate Hamilton in Crossroads and as Miss Flood in the BBC sitcom May to December....
, who introduced it in the Florenz Ziegfeld
Florenz Ziegfeld
Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. , , was an American Broadway impresario, notable for his series of theatrical revues, the Ziegfeld Follies , inspired by the Folies Bergère of Paris. He also produced the musical Show Boat...
revue Midnight Frolics in 1916, and it was used again two years later in a revue called Hitchy-Koo
Hitchy-Koo
Hitchy-Koo of 1919 is a musical revue with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and the book by George V. Hobart. This revue was third in a series of four Hitchy-Koo revues produced by, and starring, Raymond Hitchcock. The original Broadway production was in 1919...
.
The inspiration for the song probably did not result from the difficulty of spelling the name of the river and the state, but rather from the fun of saying "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I." As a result of the song's popularity, almost everybody can spell Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
correctly. Words by Bert Hanlon and Ben Ryan
Ben Ryan (composer)
Bennett A. "Ben" Ryan was an American songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics to the popular song Heart of My Heart...
; Music by Harry Tierney
Harry Tierney
Harry Austin Tierney was a successful American composer of musical theatre, best known for long-running hits such as Irene , Broadway's longest-running show of the era , Kid Boots and Rio Rita , one of the first musicals to be turned into a talking picture .Born...