Origins: My Gasoline Automobile (Carle/Bowers)

Subject: Origins: In My Gasoline Automobile
From: Artful Codger
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 11:45 PM

Janet Klein sings a wonderfully sadistic song called "In My Gasoline Automobile" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi21Sx6UBMw ). Two sites (one possibly quoting the other) state this song dates from 1904 and was recorded on an Edison cylinder, but the information is so sketchy I don't know how much credence to give it--cylinder afficionados delight in giving full particulars. Does anyone have any real information regarding who wrote the song and when, or at least who first recorded it and when? I've emailed Janet for attribution information, but have not received a reply.

I won't post lyrics here unless and until it's proven the song is in the public domain.

Subject: RE: Origins: In My Gasoline Automobile
From: Artful Codger
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 05:05 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Origins: In My Gasoline Automobile
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 09:17 PM

Gasoline gars began in increase in popularity when Wilhelm Maybach invented the 4-cylinder, 4-stroke engine about 1890. His name continues in the Maybach limousine, the top of the Mercedes line.

I can find no vintage song "In my gasoline automobile."
Did Klein perhaps rewrite "In my merry Oldsmobile"?

Subject: RE: Origins: In My Gasoline Automobile
From: Artful Codger
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 12:08 AM

I doubt it. The tune is entirely different, and the song is (IMO) superior to "Oldsmobile" in both tune and lyrics.

I guess the next step is to attempt to contact Brian Kay, Klein's accompanist on this song.

Subject: RE: Origins: In My Gasoline Automobile
From: GUEST,Tim S.
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 11:27 PM

I believe the precise title is "My Gasoline Automobile" Composed by Robert Hood Bowers with lyrics by Richard Carle. The vocalist was Frank Kernell (i.e. Samuel H. Dudley). Recorded 8/15/1904. 10-inch disc Victor 4042. Below are some links with additional information.

http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/200002970/B-1666-My_gasoline_automobile

http://www.amazon.com/Gasoline-Automobile-chorus-Words-Richard/dp/B0000CTJBH

One of the composer's granddaughters is a good friend, and I am always searching for his memorabilia to gift to her, but so far I haven't been able to locate this recording. I saw the Janet Klein performance on youtube and really enjoyed it.

Tim S.

Subject: RE: Origins: My Gasoline Automobile (Carle/Bowers)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 07:53 PM

The British Library has the sheet music, described thus in its catalogue:

MY GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE
Words by Richard Carle. Music by Robert Hood Bowers
[New York]: M. Witmark & Sons, [1904]

Subject: Lyr Add: MY GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE (Carle/Bowers)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 11:13 PM

OK, here's my transcription. Notice there are a few gaps. Corrections and completions are welcome.


MY GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE
As sung by Janet Klein with piano accompaniment by Brad Kay on YouTube

VERSE 1: I'm a living exponent of all that is new, from airships to automobiles.
Although I'll confess on the quiet to you, the auto to me most appeals.
I revel in sporting and breaking the law. The tempers of mothers I rile.
I love the temptation and exhilaration of racing each minute a mile.

CHORUS 1: For I'm a chauffeur and a great connoisseur in the handling of automobiles.
Each day in my motor, I peel off a voter and mash him up under my wheels.
I scare all the folks who go riding with me, as round the sharp corners I reel.
I ... load, I just love to explode in my gasoline automobile,
My gasoline automobile.

VERSE 2: When I put on my goggles and go for a spin, pedestrians holler and scoot.
When horses are frightened, I ... grin and then on my squawker I toot.
I ... when I'm speeding down ... Street. I honk and I wake ev'ryone up.
I love to entangle and purposely mangle some rich lady's favorite pup.

CHORUS 2: For I'm an inventor and experimenter of ev'ry newfangled machine.
I'm always in clover when friends are run over. My record today is thirteen.
The shriek of my victim is music to me. No sympathy for him I feel.
I'm thrilled with delight when I kill him outright in my gasoline automobile,
My gasoline automobile.


[This is from a comic opera "The Maid and the Mummy" (1904), music by Robert Hood Bowers (1877—1941), book and lyrics by Richard Carle, produced at the Garrick Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, on 30 May 1904, and subsequently at the New York Theatre, New York, on 25 July 1904. MIDI files for this and other songs in this show (and many other shows) can be found on Colin M. Johnson's "Victorian and Edwardian Light Operas" web page (or Click to play MY GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE).]

Subject: RE: Origins: My Gasoline Automobile (Carle/Bowers)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:28 AM

As I hear it:
C1.L2: I keel off a voter
C1.L4: And when there's a load [I sing: And when I've a load]
V2.L2: I silently grin
V2.L3: At night when I'm speeding down some quiet street, I ... [I sing: quiet lane]
C2.L2: when friends I run over

Subject: RE: Origins: My Gasoline Automobile (Carle/Bowers)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 05:17 AM

Oh frabjous day! I've discovered that the score for The Maid and the Mummy can be found at Google Books. "My Gasoline Automobile" starts on page 16. The transcription above, with my earlier corrections, is mostly correct, but there are a few significant deviations, such as "revel in scorching" and "temper of coppers". Otherwise, I think the changes as transcribed improve the lyrics a tad.