Jeepers Creepers

By Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer
1938

One of the catchiest songs of the World War II generation, and a song that remains in the mainstream consciousness to this day, "Jeepers Creepers" was written for the movie, Going Places, in which Louis Armstrong is the trainer of a horse named Jeepers Creepers (an old slang euphemism for Jesus Christ), who can only get the horse under control by playing the song for him. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Song, losing to "Thanks for the Memory". Since then it has been revisited countless times, in Warner Bros. cartoons, and in later films (including Yankee Doodle Dandy, in which a bunch of teens sing it, much to the chagrin of James Cagney's old-fashioned James M. Cohan). It even had an unlikely renaissance in the 2001 horror film of the same name, in which the song heralds the appearance of the murderous creature known as "The Creeper". With its bouncy Warren tune and irresistible Mercer lyrics, it's not tough to see why it has endured so long.

Lyrics:

Oh, jeepers creepers, where'd ya get those peepers?
Jeepers creepers, where'd ya get those eyes?
Oh, gosh all, git up, how'd they get so lit up?
Gosh all, git up, how'd they get that size?

Oh, golly gee, when you turn those heaters on
Woe is me, got to put my cheaters on

Jeepers creepers, where'd ya get those peepers?
Oh, those weepers, how they hypnotize!
Oh, where'd ya get those eyes?

Recorded By:

Johnny Mercer
Frank Sinatra
Al Caiola
Dave Brubeck
Tony Bennett

Keepin' Out of Mischief Now

By Fats Waller & Andy Razaf
1932

One of the signature tunes of Thomas "Fats" Waller, although this one was actually introduced by Louis Armstrong. It was later recorded by Waller himself, most notably as an instrumental-only piano piece, and associated so much with the performer that it was included decades later in the stage revue of his work, Ain't Misbehavin'. A fine example of the melodic delights produced by the irrepressible Mr. Waller.

Lyrics:

Keepin' out of mischief now,
I really am in love and how.
I'm through playin' with fire,
It's you whom I desire

All the world can plainly see,
You're the only one for me.
I have told them in advance,
They can't break up our romance.

Livin' up to all my vows,
'Cause I'm keepin' out mischief now.

Recorded By:

Lee Wiley
Dinah Washington
Barbra Streisand
Dick Hyman
Louis Armstrong