"Delaware" is a popular song, written by Irving Gordon.[1] The song was published in 1959 and has references to 15 states of the United States.[2] The states were portrayed, in the form of puns, as: Della wear, new jersey, Calla 'phone ya, how ar' ya, Missus sip, mini-soda, Ora gone, I'll ask 'er, taxes, Wiscon sin, new brass key, Arkan saw, Tenne see, Flora die and misery.
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Gordon was apparently inspired to write the song after the success of another song that he wrote punning on the name of States of the United States of America: "Mister and Mississippi."[citation needed]
The hit version of the song was recorded by Perry Como on December 28, 1959. It was released by RCA Victor Records as a 45rpm single with catalog number 47-7670 and as a stereophonic 45rpm single with catalog number 61-7670. The flip side was "I Know What God Is". The record reached #22 on the Billboard charts in March 1960.[3]
The same recording, with the same B-side, was released by RCA in the United Kingdom (catalog number 1170) where, oddly, it did even better there than in the U.S., reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart.[3]
Copyright over the lyrics of "Delaware" is held by Sony/ATV Music Publishing from whom permission must be obtained to reproduce the lyrics.[4]
References
- ^ "Delaware (recorded by Perry Como): Amazon.co.uk: Irving Gordon: Books". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ^ "Delaware ~ lyrics". Kokomo.ca. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ^ a b "Delaware (song by Perry Como) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. February 27, 1960. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
- ^ "Delaware". allmusic.com. Retrieved 29 September 2013.