Dorothy Dandridge - Cow Cow Boogie (1942)

Not the original version of Cow Cow Boogie, but definitely my favorite. Dandridge gained fame as a solo artist from her performances in nightclubs, usually accompanied by Phil Moore on piano.

As well-known as she became from renditions of songs such as "Blow Out the Candle", "You Do Something To Me", and "Talk Sweet Talk To Me", she recorded very little on vinyl. Most of her work was done on film or 'soundies'.

She was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

"Cow-Cow Boogie" satires the folklore of the singing cowboy in the American West. In the lyrics, the cowboy is from the city and tells his "doggies" (cattle) to "get hip."

The music was written by Don Raye, and lyrics were written by Benny Carter and Gene De Paul The song was featured in the 1942, Abbott & Costello film, Ride 'Em Cowboy, which included Ella Fitzgerald as a cast member. The first recording was by Freddie Slack & his Orchestra featuring vocalist Ella Mae Morse in 1942.