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

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."