"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" is a song from the Disney 1946 live action and animated movie Song of the South, sung by James Baskett. The music was written by Allie Wrubel, the lyrics by Ray Gilbert and was published in 1946. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
For many years the song was part of an opening theme medley for the Wonderful World of Disney television program, and it has often been used in other TV and video productions by the studio. It is one of many popular songs that use a bluebird ("Mr. bluebird on my shoulder"), epitomized by the "Bluebird of Happiness," as a symbol of cheer.
Cover versions
- The King's Men sang a cover of this song on a special episode of Fibber McGee and Molly commemorating the 60th anniversary of the show's sponsor, S.C. Johnson Company (known back then as Johnson's Wax). Their rendition, though, actually mentions the sponsor within the lyrics toward the end: "It's really true/It's actch'll/Everything is Johnson's Wax'll".
- Miley Cyrus sings this song on DisneyMania Vol. 4 CD.
- Japanese singer Ami Suzuki sings this song for a Disney Music Store Japan special promotion in December 2006.
- Johnny Mercer had a #8 hit with his rendition of the song in 1947.
- Connie Francis recorded the song in 1962 for her album Connie Francis sings Award Winning Motion Picture Hits
- Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, a Phil Spector-produced trio from Los Angeles, recorded this song in late 1962, hitting #8 on the Hot 100 Pop hits in 1963.
- Doris Day recorded the song in 1964 for her album With a smile and a song
- Louis Armstrong recorded an LP called Disney Songs The Satchmo Way in 1968 featuring a number of Disney songs including Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.
- Freddie and the Dreamers included in their 1963 like titled album, Freddie and the Dreamers.
- The Dave Clark Five recorded the song for their first UK album, A Session With the Dave Clark Five
- The Gaylettes, a Jamaican ska group, covered the song in the late 1960s.
- Actor Tom Hanks sings this song in the 1984 Touchstone Pictures fantasy film Splash.
- Paula Abdul recorded the song with a pop twist to it. In Album "For Our Children" in 1992.
- The Jackson 5 covered it as the first song on their first LP, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5.
- Mannheim Steamroller covered the song on their 1999 album, Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse.
- Within a Calvin and Hobbes comic story arc revolving first around a transmogrifying gun and then about Calvin stuck as an owl, Calvin is worried about what the other kids will say when they see him at school the next day as an owl until Hobbes more than cheers him up: "Since when do owls go to school?" Then, Calvin, happy about not having to go to school anymore as he's an owl, jubilantly celebrates singing a couple bars of the song.
- Diana Ross & The Supremes recorded a version of this song for their unreleased album Diana Ross & The Supremes Sing Disney Classics
- On the direct-to-video/album release Simply Mad About the Mouse, a rotoscoped Ric Ocasek sings the song.
- A Eurobeat version of the song was created for Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Mix. The artist is credited as Domino.
- Stevie Brock sings this song on DisneyMania Vol. 2 CD.
- Aly & AJ sings this song on DisneyMania Vol. 3 CD.
- Broadway performer John Tartaglia and the cast of Johnny and the Sprites will cover this for Disney Music Block Party.
- British comedian Bill Bailey performs a "Portishead" version of the song in his Part Troll show as a proposed new British national anthem.
- The Far Side parodies the song. "Look at this shirt, Remus! You can zip-ah-dee-do-dah all day long, but you keep that dang Mr. Bluebird off your shoulder!"
Public usage
The song is heard during the finale of the popular Disney theme park ride Splash Mountain, and can be found on many official albums:
- The Official Album of Disneyland and Walt Disney World (1991 CD)
- Disneyland/Walt Disney World: The Official Album (1997 CD)
- Walt Disney World Resort: Official Album (2000 CD) - as part of the ride's soundtrack
- Official Album: Walt Disney World Resort Celebrating 100 Years of Magic (2001 CD) - as part of the ride's soundtrack
- Disneyland Park: The Official Album (2001 CD) - as part of the ride's soundtrack
- A Musical History of Disneyland (2005) - as part of the ride's soundtrack
- The Disneyland Resort: Official Album (2008) - as part of the ride's soundtrack
- Children's Yesteryear Favourites (2008) - through CRS Records
It can also be heard as part of the queue music for Splash Mountain. Another place it has been used is the Disney play, "Alice in Wonderland Jr." with one small lyrics change "Mr. Bluebird" becomes "Mr. Bubble" It is also played during the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show as the show train pulls into Main Street Station. The song has also been used in parades at the theme parks:
- Remember the Magic Parade - the soundtrack can be found on Disneyland/Walt Disney World Music Vacation.
- Share A Dream Come True Parade - the soundtrack can be found on Magic In The Streets: Parade Memories (2001 CD).
- Disney Stars And Motorcars Parade - the soundtrack can be found on Magic In The Streets: Parade Memories (2001 CD).
The song is also the station melody for the Maihama station of the Keiyo Line in Chiba, Japan. Directly south of Maihama station lies Tokyo Disneyland.
External links
- Covering the Mouse - Cover versions of "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" from The Harvey Girls |
Academy Award for Best Original Song 1947 |
Succeeded by "Buttons and Bows" from The Paleface |
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