[78-L] Phil Harris/Andy Razaf

[David Lennick]

Is it possible that he bought the song from Razaf?

dl

Royal Pemberton wrote:
> Credited to Phil Harris on the RCA Victor.
> 
> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM, David Lennick <dlennick at sympatico.ca> wrote:
> 
>> Make that *3* versions where Philsy takes sole credit..originally recorded
>> for
>> Vocalion (3583) in 1937, titled "The Groove Song (That's What I Like About
>> the
>> South)". Then ARA RM 104 in 1945, then Victor (which version I don't have
>> handy
>> to check).
>>
>> dl
>>
>> Taylor Bowie wrote:
>>> Ken wrote about That's What I Like About The South:
>>>
>>>> Perhaps he [Harris] did contribute something to the lyrics or music.  Or
>>>> maybe
>>>> his celebrity status was seen as a way to boost sales.  I've read that
>>>> some question the legitimacy of Al Jolson's composer credit on some
>>>> songs suggesting that he forced his way in because of his celebrity
>>>> status.
>>>>
>>>> -- Ken
>>>
>>> There seem to be plenty of cases where a bandleader,  promoter, star,
>>  etc.
>>> was able to add his name to song credits (Ben Bernie,  Abe Lyman,  Irving
>>> Mills,  etc.) but I've never seen a case where the credit actually seems
>> to
>>> change...the labels on the two Phil Harris records give "Harris" as the
>> only
>>> song writing credit.  But  I can't find any current reference on line
>> which
>>> gives Harris any credit at all (earned or otherwise) .
>>>
>>> I know the tune was covered by other bands,  including Bob Wills.  I'd be
>>> curious as to the composer credit on some of those other records,  esp.
>>  the
>>> earlier ones.
>>>
>>>
>>> Taylor
>>>
>>>
>>>