Walkin' My Baby Back Home (song)

"Walkin' My Baby Back Home"
Song
Published	1930
Genre	Jazz
Writer(s)	Fred E. Ahlert Roy Turk
Language	English

"Walkin' My Baby Back Home" is a popular song written in 1930 by Roy Turk (lyrics) and Fred E. Ahlert (music). It first charted in 1931 with versions by Nick Lucas (#8), Ted Weems (also #8), The Charleston Chasers (#15), and Lee Morse (#18).

A recording made by Jo Stafford on November 9, 1945, was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 20049, and on her album, Songs by Jo Stafford (catalog number B-D23).

Harry Richman recorded the song on November 4, 1947. This version was released by Decca Records as catalog number 24391.

A major hit version of it was recorded by Nat King Cole, on September 4, 1951 and released by Capitol Records as catalog number 2130. It went to #8 in 1952. The song charted again in 1952 at #4 in a version recorded in February 1952 by Johnnie Ray, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 39750. Ray's version peaked at number 12 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1952.^[1] It was the title song from the 1953 film starring Donald O'Connor, Janet Leigh, Buddy Hackett, and Scatman Crothers.^[2] In the film the song was performed by O'Connor.^[3]

In 1962, Monica Zetterlund with Georg Riedel's Orchestra recorded a version of this song with Swedish lyrics by Beppe Wolgers entitled Sakta vi gå genom stan (lit. "Slowly we walk through the city"). It is a subtle tribute to Stockholm, and has in recent years been voted the most popular song about the Swedish capital (in a poll by Radio Stockholm). Zetterlund has had a Stockholm park named after her. The song was released on the Philips label.

In 1967, Ronnie Dove covered the song for his album Cry (Ronnie Dove album).

In 2008, Natalie Cole recorded the song as a virtual duet with her father and it was the first single for her album Still Unforgettable, released on September 9, 2008.

Elvis Costello (with acoustic guitar) performed a version as an encore in his Auckland, New Zealand concert, January 19, 2013 and in Troy, New York on November 6, 2013.

Notable recorded versions

John Allred Paul Anka Ray Anthony Louis Armstrong Les Baxter Orchestra and Chorus Tex Beneke and his Orchestra George Benson Ed Bickert Page Cavanaugh The Charleston Chasers Chas & Dave Maurice Chevalier Eri Chiemi Freddy Cole Natalie Cole Nat King Cole Penthouse Serenade Bing Crosby Sammy Davis Jr. Craig Douglas Ronnie Dove Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards Les Elgart and his Orchestra Lionel Ferbos

Ella Fitzgerald Tennessee Ernie Ford The Four Freshmen Judy Garland Fei Ge Stéphane Grappelli Lionel Hampton Annette Hanshaw Coleman Hawkins Dick Haymes Woody Herman Dan Hicks Earl Hines Art Hodes Laurence James Elliot Lawrence Gisele MacKenzie Dean Martin Billy May and his Orchestra Dave McKenna Van Morrison Lee Morse

Ronald Muldrow Willie Nelson Joe Pass Dave Pell Octet Ray Pennington Bent Persson Oscar Peterson John Pizzarelli Bill Ramsey Johnnie Ray Harry Richman Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra Jimmy Roselli Tommy Sands Don Shirley Jo Stafford James Taylor Livingston Taylor Jerry Vale Leroy Vinnegar Sextet Washboard Rhythm Kings Ted Weems Faron Young Monica Zetterlund ("Sakta vi gå genom stan")

References

1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 451. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
2. Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940-1955. Record Research.
3. Walking My Baby Back Home (1953) - Soundtracks from Internet Movie Database