Hey Kids! It’s the Teapot Song. Who is a little Teapot? I’m a little Teapot. For some reason, this song has been in Los Doggies’ head for the past few days. Couldn’t remember some of the lyrics though. Turns out, there’s a lost second verse.
Second verse:
I’m a very special teapot,
Yes, it’s true,
Here’s an example of what I can do,
I can turn my handle into a spout,
Tip me over and pour me out!
The teapot goes from self-conscious to swaggering in just two little verses. Her awakening in the first verse to the heating and pouring of her body, soon gives way to outright bravura in the second verse, even going so far as to proclaim herself “special”. For Chrissake, you’re just a little teapot.
The song was originally written by George Harry Sanders and Clarence Kelley in 1939 in order to give their very young dance students something to sing and dance to. It became enormously popular in America and overseas. It’s easy to see why:
That shit is awesome. Look at them noteheads. No you can’t roll over them. But they’re beautiful. No accidentals. Just down-beat all the way. Eighth notes and quarter notes; quavers and crotchets. Simple folk melodies and three-chord songs will never get boring. Ever.
Why even Jeopardy! uses the 4th phrase as its bumper. How many sudden quizical epiphanies has this little melody caused?
I’d like to invite Sugar Ray to play a round of musical Jeopardy, hosted by me, your host: George Alexander Trebek!
Just like Jeopardy!, Trebek! is almost always followed by an! exclamation! point!
