Verified listings:
- I'm A Cranky Old Yank In A Clanky Old Tank - Bing Crosby
- A Cranky Old Yank - Bing Crosby
- The Cranky Old Yank (In A Clanky Old Tank) - Bing Crosby
Assumed/incorrect titles:
- I'm A Cranky Old Yank In A Clanky Old Tank On The Streets Of Yokohama With My Honolulu Mama Doin' Those Beat-O, Beat-O, Flat-On-My-Seat-O, Hirohito Blues
- Hirohito Blues
Written by:
- Hoagy Carmichael
Recorded:
- November 19, 1942
Available on (*):
- 1970s LP World War II By The Original Cast (History In Sound HIS 1941; possibly an unauthorized compilation by Rare Records And New, Glendale, CA)
- 1998 CD set Bing Crosby's V-Disc Recordings (Collector's Choice Music CCM 35962; not actually a V-Disc, but was mistaken for "A Yank In A Tank" which was on a 10-14-43 Kraft Music Hall broadcast)
Topics (not including words that are part of the title):
- World War II
- Japan
- military
Alternate versions:
- Airings of this prior to 1982 run slow due to the LP being pressed at the wrong speed.
- The full performance consists of the entire set of lyrics sung by Bing, then repeated with occasional chorus backing. Some airings have this edited down so the lyrics are not repeated, but the ending is intact. Others have it faded early for the same reason.
- On the original broadcast, before singing the song, Bing interviews a tanker sergeant who has just returned from fighting in North Africa. If this portion is played, it is noted as (w/ intro).
interesting facts (click to see playlist of show on which fact was mentioned, if applicable):
- The title of the song has been the subject of much controversy. The 1967 edition of The Guinness Book Of World Records claimed this was the longest song title ever, and that it was "I'm A Cranky Old Yank In A Clanky Old Tank On The Streets Of Yokohama With My Honolulu Mama Doin' Those Beat-O, Beat-O, Flat-On-My-Seat-O, Hirohito Blues". The source of this information is not known, although apparently it was a joke, perhaps perpetrated by Hoagy.
- Some sources say the title was later shortened to "Hirohito Blues", however the copyright registered November 3, 1942, was for "The Cranky Old Yank (In A Clanky Old Tank)". The sheet music can be seen in Indiana University's Hoagy Carmichael Collection.
- On the broadcast, Bing gives the title as "I'm A Cranky Old Yank In A Clanky Old Tank", so that is the title shown here. The shorter "A Cranky Old Yank" is used on the V-Disc set. The third variation is not known to have been used on any releases of this performance, but is considered valid since it is the song title as copyrighted.
- The song was also performed by Hoagy in 1944 on his radio program "Tonight At Hoagy's".
general information about Bing Crosby
General type of music:
- pop vocal
Real name:
- Harry Lillis Crosby
Also recorded with:
- Paul Whiteman
- Al Rinker
- Andrews Sisters
- Al Jolson
- Johnny Mercer
- The Mills Brothers
- Harpo Marx
- Louis Armstrong
- Groucho Marx
- Frank Sinatra
- Dean Martin
- Woody Herman
- Patty Andrews
- Connie Boswell
- Jud Conlon Rhythmaires
- Six Hits And A Miss
- many others
interesting facts (click to see playlist of show on which fact was mentioned, if applicable):
- He was probably the most successful recording artist of the first half of the 20th century.
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* Note that it may be available on other releases or formats than are listed, and some releases listed may not be currently available. Generally the first release is listed, along with a commonly available release (for items that aren't out of print), and any Dr. Demento compilations on which it has appeared. Albums may be out of print in their original format but still available in another format. We suggest checking various online stores or the artist's web site (if applicable) to determine current availability.