Tune Tuesday: Paper Doll

 

Tune Tuesday: Paper Doll – A Song That Defied the Odds

Good morning and welcome to another Tune Tuesday! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating piece of music history with the classic tune Paper Doll. This song, written in 1915, took a long and winding road to success, but when it finally hit its stride, it became a chart-topping hit that endured for generations.

The Journey of Paper Doll

Written by Johnny Black in 1915, Paper Doll wasn’t an instant success. In fact, it wasn't even published until much later. Black, who had written the tune, played it for Edward Marx on violin in 1922. Marx was impressed and decided to purchase the rights to the song for $25—a relatively small sum at the time. Marx then released it under his small music label, but Paper Doll flopped badly. Despite its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, it failed to capture the public’s attention in the early 1920s.

However, the song’s story didn’t end there. Fast forward to 1942, when Paper Doll was recorded by The Mills Brothers, a vocal group that took a chance on the tune. The recording session was quick—rumored to have taken only 15 minutes—and, interestingly, some of the brothers didn’t even like the song. They weren’t sure why they were recording it. But sometimes, the most unexpected hits come from the least likely circumstances.

When Paper Doll was released as the B-side of a Mills Brothers single, it became an overnight sensation. The song climbed to number one on the Billboard singles chart, where it stayed for an astonishing 12 weeks. It wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural phenomenon, leading to numerous covers by other big names like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

A Lasting Legacy

Since its resurgence in the 1940s, Paper Doll has been covered by countless artists, and it remains a beloved classic today. The song’s catchy melody, nostalgic lyrics, and timeless charm have made it a favorite across genres. It’s been featured in movies, TV shows, and even commercials, cementing its place in American musical history.

For me, playing Paper Doll is a fun journey through time. It’s remarkable how a song that was nearly forgotten has become a standard that everyone recognizes, even if they don’t know the title. It’s a testament to the power of music and the unpredictability of success.

Today, I’m playing Paper Doll with my Timex Easy Reader, which feels fitting for this throwback tune. If you’ve been enjoying these Tune Tuesday performances, I’d love for you to give it a thumbs up if you like what you hear. And if you want to stay in the loop, hit that subscribe button and ring the bell to be notified whenever new videos drop. Your support helps keep this series going!

So without further ado, let’s take a step back in time to 1915 (and the 1942 revival) and bring Paper Doll back to life. Enjoy the performance! CLICK HERE

JS
 jonshields.org
 guitarbook.org


*note - part or all of this article may have been written with AI.

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