Cab Calloway — Minnie The Moocher
Album: The Blues BrothersAvg rating:
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Length: 3:20
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Folks, here's a story 'bout Minnie the Moocher
She was a red hot hoochie-coocher
She was the roughest toughest frail
But Minnie had a heart as big as a whale
Hi de hi de hi de hi
Ho de ho de ho de ho
Hee de hee de hee de hee
Ho oo waooo waoooo
She messed around with a bloke named Smokey
She loved him though he was cokey
He took her down to Chinatown and showed her
How to kick the gong around
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi
Ho-whooooaaaa-ahhhh-ohh
He-de-he-de-hee-de-he
Ho-oh-ho-oh
She had a dream about the king of Sweden
He gave her things, that she was needin'
He gave her a home built of gold and steel
A diamond car, with the puh-latinum wheels
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi
Ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-oh
Skeedle-a-booka-diki biki skeedly beeka gookity woop!
A-booriki-booriki-booriki Hoy!
He gave her his town house and his racing horses
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses
She had a million dollars in nickels and dimes
She sat around and counted it all a million times
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi
Ho-oh-whoaa-oh-oh-whoa
He-de-he-de-hee-de-hee
Poor Min! Poor Min! Poo-oor Min
She was a red hot hoochie-coocher
She was the roughest toughest frail
But Minnie had a heart as big as a whale
Hi de hi de hi de hi
Ho de ho de ho de ho
Hee de hee de hee de hee
Ho oo waooo waoooo
She messed around with a bloke named Smokey
She loved him though he was cokey
He took her down to Chinatown and showed her
How to kick the gong around
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi
Ho-whooooaaaa-ahhhh-ohh
He-de-he-de-hee-de-he
Ho-oh-ho-oh
She had a dream about the king of Sweden
He gave her things, that she was needin'
He gave her a home built of gold and steel
A diamond car, with the puh-latinum wheels
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi
Ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-oh
Skeedle-a-booka-diki biki skeedly beeka gookity woop!
A-booriki-booriki-booriki Hoy!
He gave her his town house and his racing horses
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses
She had a million dollars in nickels and dimes
She sat around and counted it all a million times
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi
Ho-oh-whoaa-oh-oh-whoa
He-de-he-de-hee-de-hee
Poor Min! Poor Min! Poo-oor Min
Comments (374)add comment
Of course - Blues Brothers! For some reason the film version I remember most is the one in the superb Cotton Club (and yes, I know it wasn't performed by Cab Calloway).
My ex-wife liked this song, so it’s ruined for all time
that PSD button is excellent
Just to prove that you never know what William will play.
It's like a music history lesson
It's like a music history lesson
dunno wrote:I have a problem with
songs like this: one guy sings the lead and the crowd just echoes
everything he's saying / singing, without thinking. this already
happened nearly 70 years ago in germany, with disastrous consequences.
It just shows how easy it is to control the masses.
copymonkey wrote:
Let us also not forget that the original version of this song/performance was done in 1931 at least a couple of years before that horrible mess got started in Germany. Do you really think it was used as a model to "control the masses"? That would be a stretch. You do understand that call and response in music/song was long a part of black culture before all of that right?
songs like this: one guy sings the lead and the crowd just echoes
everything he's saying / singing, without thinking. this already
happened nearly 70 years ago in germany, with disastrous consequences.
It just shows how easy it is to control the masses.
copymonkey wrote:
Wow. This has to be possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Dude, take off the tin-foil hat and just swing!
Let us also not forget that the original version of this song/performance was done in 1931 at least a couple of years before that horrible mess got started in Germany. Do you really think it was used as a model to "control the masses"? That would be a stretch. You do understand that call and response in music/song was long a part of black culture before all of that right?
On_The_Beach wrote:
So on the page it says Artist: Blues Brothers, but in the page title on my browser tab, it says Cab Calloway - Minnie The Moocher.
Artist: The Blues Brothers?
Cab may take issue with that.
So on the page it says Artist: Blues Brothers, but in the page title on my browser tab, it says Cab Calloway - Minnie The Moocher.
From Wikipedia:
That was about time.
In 2020, The Blues Brothers was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
That was about time.
Artist: The Blues Brothers?
Cab may take issue with that.
Cab may take issue with that.
I don't know what to tell you except, buy all the blues records you can.
The 1st million seller
by a black artist (but not this version)
by a black artist (but not this version)
unclehud wrote:
If you watch the movie, and I recommend watching it annually, you'll realize that the entire tale is about crediting early blues players for their contribution to musical culture ... and giving Paul Shaffer -- David Letterman's buddy -- the opportunity to recruit some of the best musicians around.
I specifically remember enjoying 'Retha, and Ray Charles.
If you watch the movie, and I recommend watching it annually, you'll realize that the entire tale is about crediting early blues players for their contribution to musical culture ... and giving Paul Shaffer -- David Letterman's buddy -- the opportunity to recruit some of the best musicians around.
I specifically remember enjoying 'Retha, and Ray Charles.
This song (and the movie) is so silly it isn't funny anymore.
onebladerz wrote:
Be . . . because it's good? It's fun, it gives people good feelings, and it's a stark reminder of the awesomeness of Cab Calloway. Also, remember where you are; there's a very specific musical taste that dominates here. I've had to make peace with Bob Dylan and Neil Young for a while now.
Can someone explain to me why people like this song so much? I despise it, and mute RP every time it is on.
Be . . . because it's good? It's fun, it gives people good feelings, and it's a stark reminder of the awesomeness of Cab Calloway. Also, remember where you are; there's a very specific musical taste that dominates here. I've had to make peace with Bob Dylan and Neil Young for a while now.
brosen wrote:
makes you want to Curl Up and Dye?
The movie and the music is great. But I must give a shout out to Carrie Fisher trying to kill Belushi throughout the movie.
makes you want to Curl Up and Dye?
The movie and the music is great. But I must give a shout out to Carrie Fisher trying to kill Belushi throughout the movie.
Can someone explain to me why people like this song so much? I despise it, and mute RP every time it is on.
jelgator wrote:
three orange whips!
Orange whip, anyone? 
three orange whips!
Luckily I have seem him way back in the early nineties at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague!
wtango wrote:
I totally agree with your recommendation for annual viewing. One of the all time great music movies.
This should be required reading for all Blues Brothers fans- - https://www.vanityfair.com/hol...
Not to mention this:
https://www.curtissalgado.com/...
I totally agree with your recommendation for annual viewing. One of the all time great music movies.
This should be required reading for all Blues Brothers fans- - https://www.vanityfair.com/hol...
Not to mention this:
https://www.curtissalgado.com/...
ce wrote:
Who is that girl?
Illinois Nazis.
I hate Illinois Nazis.
Who is that girl?
Illinois Nazis.
I hate Illinois Nazis.
dunno wrote:I have a problem with songs like this: one guy sings the lead and the crowd just echoes everything he's saying / singing, without thinking. this already happened nearly 70 years ago in germany, with disastrous consequences. It just shows how easy it is to control the masses.Posted
11 years ago by copymonkey:
Wow. This has to be possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Dude, take off the tin-foil hat and just swing!
And, copymaker, as the thumbs-up count of 62 shows, you have written the perfect rebuttal to such a comment.
11 years ago by copymonkey:
Wow. This has to be possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Dude, take off the tin-foil hat and just swing!
And, copymaker, as the thumbs-up count of 62 shows, you have written the perfect rebuttal to such a comment.
The very first million-selling record by a black artist
unclehud wrote:
If you watch the movie, and I recommend watching it annually, you'll realize that the entire tale is about crediting early blues players for their contribution to musical culture ... and giving Paul Shaffer -- David Letterman's buddy -- the opportunity to recruit some of the best musicians around.
I totally agree with your recommendation for annual viewing. One of the all time great music movies.
This should be required reading for all Blues Brothers fans- - https://www.vanityfair.com/hol...
If you watch the movie, and I recommend watching it annually, you'll realize that the entire tale is about crediting early blues players for their contribution to musical culture ... and giving Paul Shaffer -- David Letterman's buddy -- the opportunity to recruit some of the best musicians around.
I totally agree with your recommendation for annual viewing. One of the all time great music movies.
This should be required reading for all Blues Brothers fans- - https://www.vanityfair.com/hol...
After being introduced to Cab C. through the BB Movie, I actually got to see Cab perform live back in 1988 in London.
Just Brilliant
Just Brilliant
Blues Brothers forever!!!!!
My son, aged 12, loves them too. And especially CCs act. Great show.
I hope it will never die.
A little cinema near by shows the movie once a year for easter,
since 40 years, except this year.
My son, aged 12, loves them too. And especially CCs act. Great show.
I hope it will never die.
A little cinema near by shows the movie once a year for easter,
since 40 years, except this year.
thewiseking wrote:
Whatever this lacks as compared to the original version (not much, as far as I can tell), it more than makes up in enthusiasm and just good feels. Cab's having a blast.
The worst version of one of the greatest songs. Where's the version from 31? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB_fbBfP9yU
Whatever this lacks as compared to the original version (not much, as far as I can tell), it more than makes up in enthusiasm and just good feels. Cab's having a blast.
I forgot how amazing this is, both as a song and a movie scene.
There is a bank a couple of doors from the Ellington and five blocks from the Howard in DC. It has a wall size picture Cab and the Duke jamming. Pretty cool for a bank.
because it is annoying as hell I gave it 3
Gave it a 9 just because its the blues brothers
A great song supporting one of the best films ever made
aelfheld wrote:
Just what I was thinking.
I'm Hep to the jive!
Just what I was thinking.
I'm Hep to the jive!
ciarataylor wrote:
If you watch the movie, and I recommend watching it annually, you'll realize that the entire tale is about crediting early blues players for their contribution to musical culture ... and giving Paul Shaffer -- David Letterman's buddy -- the opportunity to recruit some of the best musicians around.
Blues Brothers? Oh yes, Cab Calloway learned everything he knew from them.
If you watch the movie, and I recommend watching it annually, you'll realize that the entire tale is about crediting early blues players for their contribution to musical culture ... and giving Paul Shaffer -- David Letterman's buddy -- the opportunity to recruit some of the best musicians around.
SmackDaddy wrote:
Just what I was thinking.
I'm willing to bet that ol' Cab had a few other songs than this one but you'd never know it hanging 'round here.
Just what I was thinking.
I'm willing to bet that ol' Cab had a few other songs than this one but you'd never know it hanging 'round here.
Orange whip, anyone?
The worst version of one of the greatest songs. Where's the version from 31? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB_fbBfP9yU
Listening to this from my collection yesterday - a teeny weeny coincidence. Not sure why I mentioned it really
LaurieinTucson wrote:
dunno wrote:
I have a problem with songs like this: one guy sings the lead and the crowd just echoes everything he's saying / singing, without thinking. this already happened nearly 70 years ago in germany, with disastrous consequences. It just shows how easy it is to control the masses.
agree, ridiculous
call and response has been found in almost every culture
probably as long as humans have been musical
I really don't think dunno was serious
dunno wrote:
I have a problem with songs like this: one guy sings the lead and the crowd just echoes everything he's saying / singing, without thinking. this already happened nearly 70 years ago in germany, with disastrous consequences. It just shows how easy it is to control the masses.
agree, ridiculous
call and response has been found in almost every culture
probably as long as humans have been musical
I really don't think dunno was serious
Long Live Radio Paradise
9 -OUTSTANDING
9 -OUTSTANDING
One of the few tracks that makes me mute RP.
dunno wrote:
I have a problem with songs like this: one guy sings the lead and the crowd just echoes everything he's saying / singing, without thinking. this already happened nearly 70 years ago in germany, with disastrous consequences. It just shows how easy it is to control the masses.
copymonkey wrote:
Wow. This has to be possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Dude, take off the tin-foil hat and just swing!
agree, ridiculous
call and response has been found in almost every culture
probably as long as humans have been musical
It's a long-held fear of mine that someone will try to re-make the first Blues Brothers fillum...
Why this version? So many far better ones from the Cotton Club days
ciarataylor wrote:
Blues Brothers? Oh yes, Cab Calloway learned everything he knew from them.
You seem to be the only one who even implied that.
Blues Brothers? Oh yes, Cab Calloway learned everything he knew from them.
You seem to be the only one who even implied that.
As good as it gets
8 for the artist, 2 for the audience
coloradojohn wrote:
Blues Brothers? Oh yes, Cab Calloway learned everything he knew from them.
Quite a phenomenon, the whole Blues Brothers thing...SNL, the movie, and the music, wow! Takes me back to Wild & Crazy times!
Blues Brothers? Oh yes, Cab Calloway learned everything he knew from them.
Special thanks to Curtis Salgado:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Salgado
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Salgado
Quite a phenomenon, the whole Blues Brothers thing...SNL, the movie, and the music, wow! Takes me back to Wild & Crazy times!
1931
BEST LYRICS EVER : )
Love that the lyrics attempts to include the more complicated (non-replied) scat singing.
Audience participation ..... and orderly!
This was among the best parts of "The Blues Brothers," IMO.
Edit: Just read the preceding comments and guess I got on line! :-)
Edit: Just read the preceding comments and guess I got on line! :-)
My mom saw him live when she worked at a theater in the late 1930s. Loved him then and still does. I guess that sentiment influenced my opinion. The Blues Brothers only strengthened it.
RichW wrote:
Amazing energy. Can't help but like this!
I have nothing but like for this
Amazing energy. Can't help but like this!
I have nothing but like for this
Say what you will about this - and the Blues Brothers movie - but the movie introduced 14-year-old me to Cab Calloway, this song, and so many blues greats of whom I'd never heard. That right there is a great thing! 
P.S. And for the record, I LOVE the Blues Brothers movie. "Now GO... and don't come back until you REDEEM yourselves!"
P.S. And for the record, I LOVE the Blues Brothers movie. "Now GO... and don't come back until you REDEEM yourselves!"
not a great version of this
i dug Cab, even though the Jazz greats considered him an embarassment
i dug Cab, even though the Jazz greats considered him an embarassment
WonderLizard wrote:
73 man, still totally awesome!!! Legendary Style and Talent
Calloway was 73 when he did this for The Blues Brothers movie. He was 24 when he recorded the original. Quite a guy.
73 man, still totally awesome!!! Legendary Style and Talent
cannot get any cooler !! Blues Brothers FOREVER !! Yeah Full Stop
10+2 both for song and movie
Orange Whip? Orange Whip?.... 3 Orange Whips
10
Irritating.
Grammarcop wrote:
Indeed, yet Bill will find something perfect- lots of good music out there.
This is a total classic!
Muddy Waters —> Cab Callloway.
I feel sorry for any piece of music/band that has to follow.
I feel sorry for any piece of music/band that has to follow.
Indeed, yet Bill will find something perfect- lots of good music out there.
This is a total classic!
Grammarcop wrote:
Talking Heads next this time,
.
reminds me of the immortal last words of The Wicked Witch Of The West
"oh what a world, what a world"
Muddy Waters —> Cab Callloway.
I feel sorry for any piece of music/band that has to follow.
I feel sorry for any piece of music/band that has to follow.
Talking Heads next this time,
.
reminds me of the immortal last words of The Wicked Witch Of The West
"oh what a world, what a world"
The King of CoolSoon after this came out, Akroyd and Belushi starred in the #1 album (BB), #1 movie (BB), and #1 TV show (SNL), all at the same time. Only time this has ever happened?
Thanks Bill. "something completely different" as you said - That's why we love RP! My dad loved this type music so I grew up on it and similar. Actually sounds modern, with the audience call and response element and the varying tempos. A classic! 
Muddy Waters —> Cab Callloway.
I feel sorry for any piece of music/band that has to follow.
I feel sorry for any piece of music/band that has to follow.
Movie, actors, musicians ALL Godlike!
Calloway was 73 when he did this for The Blues Brothers movie. He was 24 when he recorded the original. Quite a guy.
Greenman wrote:
We're on a mission from God.
I was about to post this. 'Nuff said.
We're on a mission from God.
I was about to post this. 'Nuff said.
classic album. i wore it out twice.
jeeves and wooster
That's weird... didn't sound anything like arctic monkeys to me.
I got the BluRay disk last Christmas from my (very savvy) daughter. Can't wait to see it again for the umpteenth time!
msymmes wrote:
Indeed....but not so much a stunt considering it was at the tail end of the disco era which presaged Electropop, or all things Pop that comprised a portion of the 80's. Those artists were being more or less ignored at the time. At least..by the popular aspects of society. I wouldn't say they were desperate for an Aykroyd-styled invite...but I'm sure it didn't hurt...and it certainly put them (back) in front of a young audience that was more or less clueless at the time. Matter of fact...you could say RP is doing much the same today? Heh!
Just some thoughts..
Highlow
American Net'Zen
No one took this album seriously in 1980. Dan Aykroyd really pulled off quite a stunt when he got so many incredible musicians together for this soundtrack.
Indeed....but not so much a stunt considering it was at the tail end of the disco era which presaged Electropop, or all things Pop that comprised a portion of the 80's. Those artists were being more or less ignored at the time. At least..by the popular aspects of society. I wouldn't say they were desperate for an Aykroyd-styled invite...but I'm sure it didn't hurt...and it certainly put them (back) in front of a young audience that was more or less clueless at the time. Matter of fact...you could say RP is doing much the same today? Heh!
Just some thoughts..
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Such an awesome scene from a great movie.
EarthMama wrote:
Hell yessssssss
We're on a mission from God.
Hell yessssssss
We're on a mission from God.
If you like this song, you must check out Cab Calloway and cast in "Stormy Weather." What a movie!!!
Twice I've thought I found a girl who loved me then I found out they were really just a Minny.
This was my 5 year old son's favorite song until he was 7. Now that he's 9, he wants to listen to Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5. I miss the good old days.
I'm a young guy and have never seen the Blues Brothers, so it's not that weird I never heard this song at all.
Then an hour ago I read about a reference to this song in Over The Garden Wall, really like it, and add it to some of my playlists.
An hour later RP plays it. Yet before this evening I never even knew about it. Awesome stuff!
Then an hour ago I read about a reference to this song in Over The Garden Wall, really like it, and add it to some of my playlists.
An hour later RP plays it. Yet before this evening I never even knew about it. Awesome stuff!
Glue.... Strong Stuff.
"Are you the police?" "No ma'am, we're musicians!
shellbella wrote:
Yes and the sad passing of Harold Ramis makes a sad ending to those types of movies.
Blues Bros is my all time favorite movie... Ghostbusters and Animal House are pretty close....
Yes and the sad passing of Harold Ramis makes a sad ending to those types of movies.
GeneP59 wrote:
Hell yessssssss
Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
Jake: Hit it.
Hell yessssssss
Blues Bros is my all time favorite movie... Ghostbusters and Animal House are pretty close....
Amazing live no doubt, but does not translate so well for me in the middle of my work day....a bit annoying actually. And I know it's CLASSIC, so put down your keyboards! 
Aside from Duke Eliington, Cab Calloway was probably the next most influential band leader of that era, as far as jazz innovations were concerned. It's probably a little unfortunate that the gimmicky (yet catchy) "Minnie The Moocher" is the one song most often played by this musical titan. Sort of like the way that "Rockit" will always follow Herbie Hancock around.
just watched the movie for the nth time... and I just can't stop enjoying every second of it!
No one took this album seriously in 1980. Dan Aykroyd really pulled off quite a stunt when he got so many incredible musicians together for this soundtrack.
CALL ME A CAB, INDEEDold, and primo, cab's the best........
Fabulous memories, and bona-fide proof that we were all trying our best to have some fun in Wild and Crazy 1980! BLUES BROTHERS!
Danny Devito sings
joelbb wrote:
Well Said!!!!
This is the guy for whom the "hip" connotation of the word "cool" was invented. The is is The Man. BTW, he could still still this song and kill well past 80.
Well Said!!!!
This is the guy for whom the "hip" connotation of the word "cool" was invented. The is The Man. BTW, he could still this song and kill well past 80.
Derecho wrote:
bump
bump
Jake and Elwood's opening act! Always a good time.
Very early hip hop! Bad ass.
redmachine wrote:
orange whip? orange whip? three orange whips.
a_genuine_find wrote:
@ the 3.6% 
Well, it's now 3.5%, so it's moving in the right direction!
@ the 3.6% Well, it's now 3.5%, so it's moving in the right direction!
@ the 3.6% Thank you so much for playing this BadMuthaPhucka 
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de Hi!!!!! 
k_trout wrote:
It is very thought-provoking when one considers all that happened in that one year. I see what you mean about the "opposites" working at the same time, Kilgore.
It is a great song. I was just struck how on this small rock, a civilization was opening their eyes and ears to new possibilities and at the same point in time, brutes were trying to exterminate those possibilities. Just a thought.
It is very thought-provoking when one considers all that happened in that one year. I see what you mean about the "opposites" working at the same time, Kilgore.
k_trout wrote:
Thank you Fishie, nicely said.
It is a great song. I was just struck how on this small rock, a civilization was opening their eyes and ears to new possibilities and at the same point in time, brutes were trying to exterminate those possibilities. Just a thought.
Thank you Fishie, nicely said.
redmachine wrote:
Like.
orange whip? orange whip? three orange whips.
Like.