Page 1 of 1 [ 13 posts ] 

NewTime
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 14 Apr 2015
Posts: 1,981

26 Mar 2024, 5:25 pm

The lyrics to a song from the late 1940s. It looks like they couldn't spell "rag mop" right. They doubled the last letter in each word.



Fenn
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 1 Sep 2014
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,468
Location: Pennsylvania

26 Mar 2024, 8:31 pm

Perhaps the spelling was correct but some words were repeated for musical effect.

The title of the song is sometimes given as “Rag Mop” and sometimes as “Ragg Mopp” but the former (with the correct spelling) is the usual title.

If you are having trouble finding it try adding “Ames” to your search.

There is a Muppets version too.
Check youtube.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rag_Mop

“the most popular version of this song was recorded by The Ames Brothers”

Allan Sherman recorded a parody/modified version called “Rat Fink”.

As a novelty song it is intended to be fun.

I always thought it was a comment on hairstyles but given that it was written in the 1940s it may have had more to do with dancing and dance floors, or perhaps a nod to ragtime music (though the version I know is not very influenced by Ragtime music). Perhaps something to do with celebrating the working class (hard to think of a Classical song about a mop)


_________________
ADHD-I(diagnosed) ASD-HF(diagnosed)
RDOS scores - Aspie score 131/200 - neurotypical score 69/200 - very likely Aspie


naturalplastic
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Age: 69
Gender: Male
Posts: 34,155
Location: temperate zone

26 Mar 2024, 9:16 pm

Fenn wrote:
Perhaps the spelling was correct but some words were repeated for musical effect.

The title of the song is sometimes given as “Rag Mop” and sometimes as “Ragg Mopp” but the former (with the correct spelling) is the usual title.

If you are having trouble finding it try adding “Ames” to your search.

There is a Muppets version too.
Check youtube.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rag_Mop

“the most popular version of this song was recorded by The Ames Brothers”

Allan Sherman recorded a parody/modified version called “Rat Fink”.

As a novelty song it is intended to be fun.

I always thought it was a comment on hairstyles but given that it was written in the 1940s it may have had more to do with dancing and dance floors, or perhaps a nod to ragtime music (though the version I know is not very influenced by Ragtime music). Perhaps something to do with celebrating the working class (hard to think of a Classical song about a mop)

:roll:
"Raggmopp" is not a "commentary" on anything. Its just a nonsense phrase ...used to set the rhythm into motion so the instruments can do the talking in melody and rhythm.

Its like the near contemporary Forties' BeBop classic by Diz, from the same decade, "Salt Peanuts".

Dig how each instrument (piano, sax, trumpet, etc) speaks in turn with eloquence (so who cares how dumb the two word lyrics are?).


https://youtu.be/FJrUBEtoNQU



lostonearth35
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Jan 2010
Age: 50
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,901
Location: Lost on Earth, waddya think?

26 Mar 2024, 9:40 pm

I had never heard of RAGGMOPP until I saw a sketch with singing mops on The Muppet Show. :)

https://youtu.be/MSFu90e-6pA?si=UEepo7RSA_R7ZvVa



NewTime
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 14 Apr 2015
Posts: 1,981

26 Mar 2024, 9:45 pm

I remember in elementary school music class, the music teacher played the Rag Mop song and the kids would giggle whenever they spelled out "m o p - m o p p" sounds like "em oh pee-pee". pee-pee meaning urine.



CockneyRebel
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Age: 49
Gender: Male
Posts: 113,565
Location: Stalag 13

26 Mar 2024, 11:18 pm

I enjoy listening to songs like that. They have a charm and innocence that today's songs lack.


_________________
Who wants to adopt a Sweet Pea?


nick007
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 4 May 2010
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 27,129
Location: was Louisiana but now Vermont in the police state called USA

27 Mar 2024, 3:56 pm

lostonearth35 wrote:
I had never heard of RAGGMOPP until I saw a sketch with singing mops on The Muppet Show. :)

https://youtu.be/MSFu90e-6pA?si=UEepo7RSA_R7ZvVa
I don't remember the sketch or song. Glad you posted it :D


NewTime wrote:
I remember in elementary school music class, the music teacher played the Rag Mop song and the kids would giggle whenever they spelled out "m o p - m o p p" sounds like "em oh pee-pee". pee-pee meaning urine.
:lol: A mop can be a great way to clean up pp :wink:


_________________
"I don't have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem!"
~King Of The Hill


"Hear all, trust nothing"
~Ferengi Rule Of Acquisition #190
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Ru ... cquisition


CockneyRebel
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Age: 49
Gender: Male
Posts: 113,565
Location: Stalag 13

27 Mar 2024, 8:42 pm

That was the way that singers and performers liked to be cool back in the 1940s. With each decade comes a new way of wanting to be cool.


_________________
Who wants to adopt a Sweet Pea?


funeralxempire
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 27 Oct 2014
Age: 39
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 25,553
Location: Right over your left shoulder

28 Mar 2024, 10:31 am

CockneyRebel wrote:
That was the way that singers and performers liked to be cool back in the 1940s. With each decade comes a new way of wanting to be cool.



_________________
Watching liberals try to solve societal problems without a systemic critique/class consciousness is like watching someone in the dark try to flip on the light switch, but they keep turning on the garbage disposal instead.
戦争ではなく戦争と戦う


lostonearth35
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Jan 2010
Age: 50
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,901
Location: Lost on Earth, waddya think?

29 Mar 2024, 10:32 pm

It's hard not to have an immaturity attack at the "P-P" part of the song.



autisticelders
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2020
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,010
Location: Alpena MI

30 Mar 2024, 8:14 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjlh9HWBOik lots of just for fun lyrics back when. My autistic mother sang this one constantly.


_________________
https://oldladywithautism.blog/

"Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.” Samuel Johnson


Fenn
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 1 Sep 2014
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,468
Location: Pennsylvania

30 Mar 2024, 10:12 am

It is also somewhat amusing that the words seem to be misspelled, as OP pointed out, especially when you are a school student and so much emphasis is put on “correct” spelling. As a young student it is funny to point to adults who “can’t spell”. Sometimes understanding what is funny requires perspective taking and empathy, two things that can be challenging for people on the autism spectrum.

There were other spelling songs that were popular. “I like those J-I-N-G-L-E bells! (Musical bell instrument sound) I like those J-I-N-G-L-E bells! (Musical bell instrument sound) I like those J-I-N-G-L-E B-E-double-L-S. I like those J-I-N-G-L-E bells! (Musical bell instrument sound)”

And popular songs that used the alphabet.

“A, you’re adorable, B, you’re so beautiful…”

Also “A-B-C-E-F-H I got a gal, down in Kalamazoo”

In the late 1950s and early 1960s “do-wopp” was popular, using word-like syllables to make music.

Louis Armstrong and others used to “scat” before that, substituting syllables in place of singing lyrics or instruments.

Using spelling and letters is a bit like that but adding an extra layer of meaning and pulling on the brain like a riddle or puzzle. Music takes on so many forms.


_________________
ADHD-I(diagnosed) ASD-HF(diagnosed)
RDOS scores - Aspie score 131/200 - neurotypical score 69/200 - very likely Aspie


nick007
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 4 May 2010
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 27,129
Location: was Louisiana but now Vermont in the police state called USA

30 Mar 2024, 1:15 pm

Fenn wrote:
It is also somewhat amusing that the words seem to be misspelled, as OP pointed out, especially when you are a school student and so much emphasis is put on “correct” spelling. As a young student it is funny to point to adults who “can’t spell”.
The English teachers I've known(including my mom) hate rap music for this very reason.


_________________
"I don't have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem!"
~King Of The Hill


"Hear all, trust nothing"
~Ferengi Rule Of Acquisition #190
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Ru ... cquisition