Introduction
"Rockin' Chair is a 1929 popular song with lyrics and music composed by Hoagy ."Rockin' Chair is a 1929 popular song with lyrics and music composed by Hoagy .
Musically it is unconventional, as after the B section when most popular songs return to A, this song has an A B C A1 .Musically it is unconventional, as after the B section when most popular songs return to A, this song has an A B C A1 .
Carmichael recorded the song in 1929, 1930, and .Carmichael recorded the song in 1929, 1930, and .
Mildred Bailey made it famous by using it as her theme .Mildred Bailey made it famous by using it as her theme .
Like other 1920s standards, "Rockin' Chair" relied on the stereotypes of minstrelsy, citing "Aunt Harriet" from the anti Uncle Tom song "Aunt Harriet Becha Stowe" ).Like other 1920s standards, "Rockin' Chair" relied on the stereotypes of minstrelsy, citing "Aunt Harriet" from the anti Uncle Tom song "Aunt Harriet Becha Stowe" ).
The song was first recorded on February 19, 1929 by Hoagy Carmichael as a test for Victor Records, but not released at the .The song was first recorded on February 19, 1929 by Hoagy Carmichael as a test for Victor Records, but not released at the .
This recording was later released on the Historical label as HLA .This recording was later released on the Historical label as HLA .
This version is sung by only one .This version is sung by only one .
Hoagy Carmichael and his Orchestra recorded a new version on May 21, 1930 featuring Bix Beiderbecke on .Hoagy Carmichael and his Orchestra recorded a new version on May 21, 1930 featuring Bix Beiderbecke on .
This second version is with two vocalists (Carmichael and Irving Brodsky) and was released on Victor Records as V .This second version is with two vocalists (Carmichael and Irving Brodsky) and was released on Victor Records as V .
Louis Armstrong recorded it with Hoagy Carmichael on vocals on December 13, 1929 at Okeh studios after the stock market crashed, giving a badly needed boost to Carmichael's .Louis Armstrong recorded it with Hoagy Carmichael on vocals on December 13, 1929 at Okeh studios after the stock market crashed, giving a badly needed boost to Carmichael's .
The recording was released as Okeh 8756 in 1930 and became popular in .The recording was released as Okeh 8756 in 1930 and became popular in .
The song utilises "call and response" to create a dialog between an aged father and his .The song utilises "call and response" to create a dialog between an aged father and his .
Armstrong performed and recorded "Rockin' Chair" numerous times in his career with his trombonist Jack .Armstrong performed and recorded "Rockin' Chair" numerous times in his career with his trombonist Jack .
Armstrong's recording history with the song includes a recording from as late as .Armstrong's recording history with the song includes a recording from as late as .
Mildred Bailey first recorded the song on August 18, 1932 for Bluebird Records (catalog .Mildred Bailey first recorded the song on August 18, 1932 for Bluebird Records (catalog .
6945), and later for Vocalion Records (catalog .6945), and later for Vocalion Records (catalog .
).
The latter recording was a hit in .The latter recording was a hit in .
She became known as "The Rockin' Chair ".She became known as "The Rockin' Chair ".
Other popular versions in 1932 were by The Mills Brothers, and by Louis Armstrong with Hoagy .Other popular versions in 1932 were by The Mills Brothers, and by Louis Armstrong with Hoagy .