| Written by George Michael Cohan, "I'm a Yankee | | | | Born on the Fourth of July |
| Doodle Dandy" was 'Broadway Composer Cohan' | | | | The wit in the lyrics of the song was also |
| at his best. Today, the wit of the lyrics and the | | | | manifest in the play itself as seen in the |
| song's tempo and temperament continue to elicit | | | | tongue-in-cheek name of a girl from San |
| applause in theaters nationwide. | | | | Francisco, Goldie Gates. Cohan's sense of humor |
| George Cohan was born at Providence, Rhode | | | | came through in his storyline, music, and verse. |
| Island in 1878. He started out in show business in | | | | The musical opened on Broadway in New York |
| Vaudeville, traveling with his performing father, | | | | City at the Liberty Theater, on November 7, |
| mother, and sister. Vaudeville is where Cohan | | | | 1904. It's the story of a jockey, Johnny Jones, |
| learned the nuances of live performing and | | | | who rides a horse called Yankee Doodle in the |
| keeping audiences entertained. He was part of | | | | English Derby. Cohan based the character of |
| The Four Cohans, the name his family used as | | | | Johnny on Hall of Fame jockey Todd Sloan |
| their marquee title. | | | | (1874-1933). Other popular songs to come out of |
| Eventually Cohan made it to Tin Pan Alley as a | | | | the musical were 'Give My Regards to Broadway' |
| songwriter, and Broadway as a prolific creator of | | | | and 'Life's a Funny Proposition'. |
| musicals. "The Man Who Owned Broadway" | | | | Eventually a film biography was developed about |
| became a catch phrase for this talented | | | | George Cohan. Called Yankee Doodle Dandy, this |
| composer during his heyday in New York City. | | | | film starred James Cagney as Cohan. Joan Leslie |
| Another name bestowed on him was "The Father | | | | and Walter Huston also had roles in this film. It |
| of American Musical Comedy". He wrote his own | | | | celebrated the accomplishments of Cohan and his |
| play scripts, music, and lyrics. | | | | rise to fame. |
| The song The Yankee Doodle Boy is from the | | | | He wore many hats during his career as a |
| musical comedy Little Johnny Jones. This was | | | | producer, composer, actor, writer, singer, and |
| Cohan's first full-length musical, and his family | | | | director. His sheer output as a songwriter was |
| performed in the original production. | | | | phenomenal. He had over 1,500 of his songs |
| Though not an initial success on Broadway, the | | | | published, and he developed the art of melding |
| musical eventually achieved acclaim after some | | | | drama with music. |
| reworking. The song is a lively number with flair. | | | | Cohan livened up American theater with his tunes |
| The song line "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" is | | | | and plays, as the art form was heading into a |
| sung with unabashed patriotism. The song includes | | | | stagnant time. He breathed fresh life into |
| the proudly American chorus: | | | | Broadway with his fresh, catchy, lyrics and music. |
| I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy | | | | Cohan, who achieved the American dream |
| A Yankee Doodle, do or die | | | | through sheer talent and hard work, was himself |
| A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam | | | | a true Yankee Doodle Dandy. |