Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go

27 Jul 07 - 11:43 AM (#2112678)
Subject: Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman

My mother used to sing the chorus to this ancient novelty around the house in the 1940s. I've seen a message by a woman also asking about it. But repeated searches have failed to turn it up. Anyone know it, or know of a source?

Where do mosquitoes go, I'd like to know,
In the Wintertime?

What do they wear for underwear,
When they reach that southern clime?

Where do mosquitoes go, I'd like to know,
In the Wintertime?

It may be "Where Do The Mosquitoes Go In Winter," from Ziegfeld's Follies of 1920. But I haven't been able to find the words or music to that song.

Any information leading to this silly song's well-deserved arrest or apprehension will be appreciated.

Thanks, Bob

---

27 Jul 07 - 11:49 AM (#2112685)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman

One other piece of information I came across.

The song seems to have been written by the well-known artist of the teens and 20s, Arthur Fields. But it seems not to be among the recordings on a site that has a number of Fields' cylinders. (Of course he also recorded flat discs too.)

---

27 Jul 07 - 06:21 PM (#2112951)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

Found this link SJ Library

---

28 Jul 07 - 06:17 PM (#2113610)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Arthur Fields wrote it, a noted above. Wingy Manone and his Orchestra recorded it in 1989; "Laughter from the Hip" album (Jazz comedy classics).

Allmusic.com also lists "Wingy Manone & His orchestra, composer Joseph McCarthy/Harry Tierney, album "1939-1940," recorded 1999"
I don't know how the two relate.

---

28 Jul 07 - 06:46 PM (#2113624)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

The title is "The Mosquito Song."

---

28 Jul 07 - 07:44 PM (#2113649)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman

Hello Q,

Or is it? Sources I've seen tend to differ. One that sounds reliable says it was officially titled "Where Do Mosquitoes Go In the Winter Time" but got given the popular nickname of "The Mosquito Song."

Or are we dealing with two different songs here? One uncertainty in my mind is whether the song from Ziegfeld's Follies of 1920 really is the song quoted above that I'm looking for, or is some other Mosquito novelty.

About Wingy Manone, the 1999 date has to be a reissue. Wingy died in 1982, flourished back in the 40s -- 'the'39-40 date sounds right for the original. The composer info is interesting, though. It could be that Fields spotlighted the song but that McCarthy/Tierney wrote it.

Amazing this is so obscure, considering the opening triplet stuck in quite a few people's minds!

George Seto, thanks, I'll see what luck I have via interlibrary loan.

In the meantime, needless to say, if anyone finds an online link or a complete lyric, please post it here.

Thanks, Bob

---

29 Jul 07 - 02:36 PM (#2114109)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where Do Mosquitoes Go
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

I tried at the usual Sheet Music sites, but haven't located this one yet.

---