Oh! Mr Porter

Album: Music Hall Classics (1937)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Tony Barker in his short biography of George Le Brunn, this song was not inspired by a porter but by a publican.

    "Oh! Mr Porter" was co-written by Le Brunn and his brother, Thomas. The publican concerned had an eye for attractive barmaids, and on one occasion after taking one out he put her on the train home only for her to realise too late that she was on the wrong one. As the train began to move she exclaimed "Oh, Mr Porter, what shall I do?" Le Brunn heard the story, and was in a public house in Westminster when Marie Lloyd walked in.
  • Although this was one of Miss Lloyd's most well known songs, she appears never to have recorded it. The sheet music appears in Howard & Co.'s Third Comic Annual, and the title inspired or was at least used for, a 1937 film starring Will Hay. Popular though this song was, not everybody liked it or her; it was one of the songs she sang when called before the Vigilance Committee, where of course she performed it in all innocence for the self-styled guardians of public morals. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.