KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The lyrics begin with the first few letters of the alphabet. It’s the song that musically put Kalamazoo on the map. The famous tune was recorded in a Hollywood studio on this day in 1942 as “(I Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo” became part of the American songbook 79 years ago.
Wikipedia
The song was recorded for a dance sequence in 20th Century Fox movie ‘Orchestra Wives’. It was recorded on May 20, 1942, by Glenn Miller’s orchestra with lead singer Tex Beneke on vocals.
The song has done a lot to popularize the city over the decades, with many other versions following the original one by Glenn Miller’s orchestra. According to Billboard, the song was 1942’s best-selling recording in the United States. It spent eight weeks at #1 on the charts. “(I Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo was also nominated for an Academy Award in the category ‘Best Music, Original Song” the following year in 1943.
Wikipedia
You may not remember the movie ‘Orchestra Wives’ but that special tune for all of us from Kalamazoo keeps on playing on (and probably is already stuck in your head).
For some reason, possibly the uniqueness of the word and the ability to rhyme it, Kalamazoo has been referenced or used in song titles by several musicians over the years. It could also be that many musicians bought their Gibson guitars in the city as well.
- Hank Snow – “I’ve Been Everywhere” – 1962 (covered by Johnny Cash in 1996)
- Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Down on the Corner” – 1969
- Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band – “Mary Lou” – 1972
- Frank Zappa – “Jumbo Go Away” – 1981
- Primus – “Kalamazoo” – 1997
- Ben Folds – “Kalamazoo” – 2004
- Young Jeezy (ft. Snoop Dogg) – “Higher Learning” – 2011
- The Black Keys – “Gotta Get Away” – 2014
(Rick Shields contributed to this article)
Listen to the original recording of “(I Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo” here. Below, you can also read the lyrics and personnel from the original recording.
Lyrics for “(I’ve Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo”:
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H, I got a gal in Kalamazoo
Don’t wanna boast
But I know she’s the toast
Of Kalamazoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo
Years have gone by, my, my how she grew
I liked her looks
When I carried her books
In Kalamazoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo
I’m gonna send a wire
Hoppin’ on a flyer
Leavin’ today
Am I dreamin’?
I can hear her screamin’
Hiya Mr.Jackson, everything’s O-K-A-L-A-M-A-Z-O
Oh, what a gal, a real pipperoo
I’ll make my bid
For that freckle-faced kid
I’m hurryin’ to
I’m goin’ to Michigan to see the sweetest gal in Kalamazoo
Zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo, zoo
Kalamazoo
K (K)
A (A)
L-A-M-A-Z-O-O
Oh, what a gal, a real pipperoo
We’re goin’ to Michigan to see the sweetest gal in Kalamazoo
Zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo-zoo
Kalamazoo
Personnel on the original 1942 recording of “(I’ve Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo”:
- The arrangement was by Jerry Gray
- Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, the Modernaires (vocals)
- Billy May, John Best, Steve Lipkins, R.D. McMickle (trumpet)
- Glenn Miller, Jim Priddy, Paul Tanner, Frank D’Annolfo (trombone)
- Lloyd “Skip” Martin, Wilbur Schwartz (clarinet, alto saxophone)
- Tex Beneke, Al Klink (tenor saxophone)
- Ernie Caceres (baritone saxophone)
- Chummy MacGregor (piano)
- Bobby Hackett (guitar)
- Edward “Doc” Goldberg (string bass)
- Maurice Purtill (drums)
And if you have made it this far into the article, here’s a bonus video of Radar from M.A.S.H. singing part of the song during an episode of the classic T.V. show:
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