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Lyr Req: When Hollywood Goes Black and Tan

28 Jul 98 - 05:08 PM (#33569)
Subject: Finding the Songwriter
From: Jenny R.

I am trying to contact the music publisher for this song, originally recorded by Cleo Brown. I think the composer's last name is Rene. Does anyone have any information? Thank you.


28 Nov 10 - 02:54 PM (#3042176)
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN HOLLYWOOD GOES BLACK AND TAN
From: Jim Dixon

Here's my transcription from the recording at YouTube:

WHEN HOLLYWOOD GOES BLACK AND TAN
(Leon Rene, Otis Rene)
As recorded by Cleo Brown, 1935.

Creole babies from Manhattan will be leaving Harlem if they can—
Yeah, man! (Oh, yeah, man!)—when Hollywood goes black and tan.
Louie Armstrong with his trumpet will be heading westward with his band—
Yeah, man! (Oh, yeah, man!)—when Hollywood goes black and tan.
Harlem crooners with a swing will be singin' at the studio.
Makes no diff'rence if you can't sing; just say, "Heedie-hoodie-hidey-ho."
When they start to swing that rhythm, I'll be heading for that Promised Land.
Yeah, man! (Oh, yeah, man!)
Yeah, man! (Oh, yeah, man!)
You won't find them wing and buckin',
Ev'rybody will be truckin'.
It's gonna be grand,
When Hollywood goes black and tan.

The mayor of Harlem says he'll be there to give those boys a helpin' hand—
Yeah, man! (Oh, yeah, man!)—when Hollywood goes black and tan.
Old Bob Howard(?) made a promise to latch onto that baby grand—
Yeah, man! (Oh, yeah, man!)—when Hollywood goes black and tan
Stepin Fetchit's gonna sing and dance like Fred Astaire.
Nina Mae don't have to sing 'cause she can be petite like Ina Claire.
Water's(?) gonna do a fan dance and shake those feathers off her fan.
Yeah, man! (Oh, yeah, man!)
Yeah, man! (Yeah, man!)
Here's good news and it's the newest:
Braddock's goin' to meet Joe Lewis.
It's gonna be grand.
When Hollywood goes black and tan.