45 RPMs 75: Red Buttons ~ Strange Things Are Happening

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Red Buttons ~ Strange Things Are Happening 

45 RPM, side 1 

photo by Styrous®

 

Today, February 5, is the birthday of Red Buttons who was born Aaron Chwatt in 1919. He was one of the earliest standup comedians who became a stage and screen actor; one of his films was They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (link below).          

 

In 1953 he recorded a song with an audience he would sing during his early night club routines, Strange Things Are Happening. The lyrics depict his woes dealing with the modern world. Today, the line about his niece wearing blue jeans has a connotation he NEVER would have dreamed of.  "What looks like my nephew, turns out to be my niece!" Ho Ho Hee, Hee, Hah Hah!     

 

 Strange things are happening

Ho ho Ho ho Hee hee Hee hee Hah hah Hah hah Strange things are happening Strange things are happening I once had a teacher who flunked me in history She asked, "who shot lincoln?" I answered, "don't blame me." Ho ho Ho ho Hee hee Hee hee Hah hah Hah hah Strange things are happening Strange things are happening I gave golden earrings to someone who turned sweet sixteen Now, i'm so embarrassed her ears are turning green Ho ho Ho ho Hee hee Hee hee Hah hah Hah hah Strange things are happening Strange things I went to the movies and witnessed the strangest scene. One kid brought a tv and tried to dial the screen Ho ho Ho ho Hey hey Hey hey Hee hee Hee hee Strange things Strange things Since girls wear those blue jeans, my troubles just never cease What looks like my nephew, turns out to be my niece. Ho ho Ho ho Hee hee Hee hee Hah hah Hah hah Strange things are happening Strange things

               

The "B" side of the record has The Ho Ho Song which is actually a continuation of Strange Things Are Happening. Different problems same tune.   

Red Buttons ~ The Ho Ho Song

45 RPM, side 2

 photo by Styrous®

 

                 

 

Red Buttons ~ Strange Things Are Happening  

45 RPM label, side 1

 photo by Styrous®

 

Red Buttons ~ The Ho Ho Song

45 RPM label, side 2

 photo by Styrous®

     

  

Tracklist:

Side 1:
 

Strange Things Are Happening (Ho Ho Hee, Hee, Ha Ha), written by A. Walker*, E. Lawrence*, Red Buttons

Side 2:
 

The Ho Ho Song, written by J. Wolf*, J. Darion*, Red Buttons

Barcode and Other Identifiers        

        

    Matrix / Runout (A Side Label): ZSP 13789
    Matrix / Runout (B Side Label): ZSP 13790

 

Red Buttons With Elliot Lawrence And His Orchestra – Strange Things Are Happening (Ho Ho Hee, Hee, Ha Ha)
Label:    Columbia – 4-39981
Format:    Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1953
Genre:    Jazz, Pop
Style:    Easy Listening

        

       

        

        

Viewfinder links:       

 

Red Buttons         

José Ferrer           

Pearl Harbors            

Elliot Lawrence            

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?        

   

Net Link:          

     

WFMU ~ Red Buttons and the Acrimony of Hilarity        
     
YouTube links:      
         

Red Buttons ~.    

             Strange Things Are Happening     

             The Ho Ho Song    
        

       

        

        

     

Red Buttons - 1965

The Double Life of Henry Phyfe

 

Styrous® ~ Monday, February 5, 2024     

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