I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)

Album: The Magnificent (1911)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Derek Scott in The Singing Bourgeois, Harry Von Tilzer coined the phrase Tin Pan Alley. Whether or not that is true, he certainly composed the music for "I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)." The lyrics were written by William Dillon (1877–1966), and it was his - though not Von Tilzer's - biggest hit.
  • The song was first published at New York by Harry Von Tilzer Music, copyright 1911, credited to him and Will Dillon. Obviously this is a song for mothers everywhere - except perhaps Jocasta in Greek mythology! It has been widely recorded, and was sung by Larry Parks in the 1946 biopic The Jolson Story; it was also parodied by Jesse Goldberg in a tribute to Hillary Clinton. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.