Have you ever gotten the real story about how your parents chose your name? I recently researched some cultural influences that may have gotten me my name, Susan.
My parents were married in 1948--so when it came to naming their second daughter--that would be me, a song hit from 1948 may have influenced their choice to name me Susan-but call me Susie. That song, IF YOU KNEW SUSIE, LIKE I KNOW SUSIE. . . is now 82 years old and has quite a history.
Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer first offered IF YOU KNEW SUSIE LIKE I KNOW SUSIE to Al Jolson, but he did not like it as it was poorly received by Broadway audiences in the musical Big Boy, so Al passed it on to Eddie Cantor who made it a hit."Big Boy" was first staged in 1926. Eddie Cantor first recorded this song in 1925. My mother was born in 1924 so it is safe to say that she does not remember life without this song--and the popularity of the name Susie.
The song has been recorded by at least 18 other singers including Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dean Martin and a singer playing a ukelele named Ukelele Ike.
And then, in 1948--Eddie Cantor starred in a movie titled If You Knew Susie--and revived the popularity of this song once more.
Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InTuAeGjr4M
Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly changed the lyrics and the personality of SUSIE a bit in the MGM musical Anchors Aweigh--:Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAB9HMlZikY
And the Buckinghams released a completely different song in the mid-60's when groups seemed to like recording songs titled with girl names.
The Buckinghams song is titled: SUSAN
Check this out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmBuvYNmuWk
So what's in a name???
My mother once told me that the other option was to name me Agatha. I was born on February 5 which is the Catholic feast day of St Agatha. It leads me to believe that my parents were so convinced that I would be a boy, they did not have a girl's name picked out.
At least now I know why I love Broadway musicals--and reading mysteries. A subliminally delightful combination result of 1. my name, and 2. my "near miss" name.
How about your name??? Do you know the fun facts or cultural influences that influenced your parents??
___________________________________________
Next blog: My exceptional friend, Jim
