What a Mouth (What a North and South) explained

What a Mouth (What a North and South)
Cover:Tommy Steele What a Mouth.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Tommy Steele
Album:Get Happy with Tommy
B-Side:Kookaburra
Recorded:1960
Studio:Decca Studios, London
Genre:Pop
Label:Decca
Prev Title:Little White Bull
Prev Year:1960
Next Title:Happy-Go-Lucky Blues
Next Year:1960

"What a Mouth (What a North and South)" is a music hall song written by R. P. Weston in 1906 and first sung by Harry Champion.[1] It is better known for the version recorded by Tommy Steele in 1960, which peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.

Early versions

The song was often performed by Harry Champion, and was published as sheet music by Francis, Day & Hunter in 1906 as one of Francis & Day's Album of Cockney Songs.[2] The first commercially released recording was by The Two Bills from Bermondsey - Bill Burnham and Bill French - who were recorded by Peter Kennedy at "The Cock & Monkey" in Bermondsey on 13 February 1954. The 78 rpm record, Parlophone R 3953, was released in January 1955.[3] [4]

Tommy Steele version

Background

Steele recorded a cover of "What a Mouth" as it was one of his father's favourite songs.[5] Steele's father told him that he knew he would be successful if he "became as successful as the Two Bills".[6] As with the rest of the album Get Happy with Tommy, "What a Mouth" was recorded live at Decca Studios.

Track listing

7": Decca / F 11245

  1. "What a Mouth (What a North and South) – 2:45
  2. "Kookaburra" – 1:58

Charts

Chart (1960)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 3
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[8] 7
UK Disc Top 20[9] 5
UK New Musical Express Top 20[10] 4
UK Record Mirror Top 20[11] 5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: What A Mouth!. 2022-02-12. www.goldenhindmusic.com.
  2. https://www.sheetmusicwarehouse.co.uk/20th-century-songs-f/francis-days-album-of-cockney-songs-with-full-words-music-tonic/ "Francis & Day's Album of Cockney Songs ", Sheet Music Warehouse
  3. http://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/r3953 The Two Bills From Bermondsey: What A Mouth, What A Mouth (What A North And South), 45worlds.com
  4. https://folktrax-archive.org/menus/cassprogs/331londoners.htm "The Londoners", Folktrax Archive
  5. Book: Lassandro, Sebastian. Tommy Steele: A Life in the Spotlight. 2021-07-11. Fonthill Media. 86. en.
  6. Web site: BBC radio actuality recordings: Bermondsey pub songs 1954 The London Sound Survey. 2022-02-12. www.soundsurvey.org.uk.
  7. Book: Kent, David. Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Kent Music Report. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W.. 2005. 0-646-44439-5. David Kent (historian).
  8. Web site: Lever Hit Parade. 2022-02-12. flavourofnz.co.nz.
  9. 16 July 1960. Top Twenty. Disc. 3. 12 February 2022.
  10. 8 July 1960. NME Music Charts. New Musical Express.
  11. 9 July 1960. The Second Ten. Record Mirror.

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