BALLIN' THE JACK
From "For Me And My Gal" (1942)
(James Henry Burris / Chris Smith) (1913)
Judy Garland & Gene Kelly
Also recorded by :
Henry "Red" Allen; Louis Armstrong; Chet Atkins; Count Basie;
Sidney Bechet; Roger Bell; Canadian Brass; Eddie Cantor;
Casa Loma Orch.; Chubby Checker; Maurice Chevalier;
The Chicago Footwarmers; The Chordettes; Buck Clayton;
Ken Colyer; Eddie Condon; Sammy Davis Jr.;
Sidney DeParis Blue Note Jazzmen; Dixieland All Stars;
Johnny Dodds; Firehouse Five Plus Two; Pete Fountain;
Georgia Gibbs; Benny Goodman; Bobby Gordon;
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orch.; Greg & Steve; Clancy Hayes;
Earl Hines; Billie Holiday; Eddy Howard; Linda Ipanema;
Bunk Johnson; James P. Johnson; Jonah Jones; Spike Jones;
Dick Jurgens; Danny Kaye; Lester Lanin; Brenda Lee;
Miranda Louise; Louisiana Rhythm Kings; Johnny Maddox;
Freddy Martin & His Orch.; Matty Matlock; ... and many others.
From coast to coast,
From Canada to Mexico,
They're doin' a new dance
A tried-and-a-true dance
That will sweep the land
And you'll think it's so grand
You'll have to learn how to do it
So please don't boo woo it
Coz we've got this little dance
That's gonna rise to fame
It's sure to put most any other dance to shame
The turkey-trot, the bunny-hug, the tickley-toe
Will be forgotten when we start to go!
Mr Leader, won't you start the syncopation?
And we'll begin our little demonstration...
Now, first you put your two knees
Close up tight.
Then you sway it to the left
Then you sway it to the right.
Step around the floor kind of nice and light
Then you twist around and twist around
With all of your might.
Stretch your lovin' arms straight out in space
Then you do the eagle rock with style and grace.
Swing your foot way round and bring it back
Now that's what I call ballin' the jack!
*****
BALLIN' THE JACK (1951) (film version)
Dean Martin & Polly Bergen
(Dean): Here's a new dance we oughta show 'em how to do.
(Polly):This is the chance to really show `em somethin' new.
(Dean): Are you ready?
(Polly):Ready and waitin', Sir.
(Dean): Well okay.
(Dean): First you put your two knees close up tight,
Then you sway 'em to the left an' then you sway 'em to the
right,
(Polly):Then,
(Dean): Step around the floor kind of nice and light,
(Both): Then you twist around and twist around with all of your might,
(Polly):Wow!
(Dean): Stretch your lovin' arms straight out in space
(Both): Do the Eagle Rock with style and grace
(Dean): Swing your foot way `round, then bring it back,
Now that's what I call "Ballin' the Jack."
(Dean): First you put your two knees close up tight,
Then you sway 'em to the left an' then you sway 'em to the
right,
(Polly):Then,
(Dean): Step around the floor kind of nice and light,
(Both): Then you twist around and twist around with all of your might,
(Polly):Wow!
(Dean): Stretch your lovin' arms straight out in space
(Both): Do the Eagle Rock with style and grace
(Dean): Swing your foot way `round, then bring it back,
Now that's what I call "Ballin' the Jack."
(Polly):First,
(Dean): Yes!
(Polly):Your knees up tight,
Then you sway 'em
(Dean): Done!
(Polly):To the left, to the right,
Step around the floor kind of nice and light,
(Both): Then twist with all of your might, Boy,
(Polly):Your arms in space
You do the Eagle Rock with style and grace
Swing your foot way `round, then bring it back,
(Both): And that's what we call "Ballin' the Jack."
(Both): Knees close up tight,
To the left, to the right,
Step around the floor kind of nice and light,
Then twist with all of your might,
Stretch out in space
Do the Eagle Rock with form and grace
Your foot way `round,
(Polly):Bring it back,
(Both): That's what we call "Ballin' the Jack."
(Both): Stretch your lovin' arms
With style and grace
Swing your foot way `round then
Bring it back, boy, boy, boy, boogala
That's what we call "Ballin' the Jack."
(Contributed by Ferda Dolunay - March 2005)
*****
