Today’s song of the day was composed by Tiny Bradshaw, Bobby Plater and Eddie Johnson with a lyric by Buddy Feyne in 1941.
Fun Facts
- “Jersey Bounce” was written in 1941.
- The song’s name became a popular nickname for several American aircraft, especially B-17 flying fortresses during WW2.
- The song’s most famous version was by Benny Goodman, an American jazz clarinetist as well as a bandleader.
- Goodman’s instrumental version of the song hit number 1 in 1942.
- Benny Goodman’s full name is Benjamin Dave Goodman, also known as the King of Swing, and he was born May 30, 1909.
- Benny Goodman was also the 20th century’s renowned clarinet virtuoso.
- Jimmy Dorsey’s version of the song also charted at number 9 the very same year Benny Goodman’s did.
- Jimmy Dorsey was not only a highly respected jazz musician but was also one of the top reed players of his era.
- Jersey Bounce spent 20 weeks on The Billboard’s Best Selling Retail Records, and for 6 of those 20 weeks, it was at number 2.
- The song now has many different versions by many different artists.
Lyrics:
(Lyrics)
They call it that Jersey bounce
A rhythm that really counts
The temperature always mounts
Wherever they play, the funny rhythm they play
It started on Journal Square
And somebody heard it there
He put it right on the air
And now you hear it everywhere
Uptown, gave it new licks
Downtown, added some tricks
No town, makes it sound, the same
As where it came from
So if you don’t feel so hot
Go out to some Jersey spot
And whether you’re hep or not
The Jersey bounce’ll make you swing
How I love that Jersey bounce
Oh come on and play that Jersey bounce
They call it that Jersey bounce
The temperature always mounts
Whenever they play that Jersey Bounce
It started on Journal Square
And somebody heard it there
He put it right on the air
That tune called the Jersey Bounce
Uptown, gave it new licks
Downtown, added some tricks
No town, make it sound the same
As where it came from
So if you don’t feel so hot
Go out to some Jersey spot
And whether you’re hep or not
The Jersey bounce’ll make you swing
Ounce by ounce
The Jersey Bounce
Puts you right in the swing
That Jersey Bounce
It’ll make you swing
Give me that Jersey Bounce.