Song:Bei Mir Bist du Schon
Album:Their All-Time Greatest Hits
The Andrews Sisters were the most popular vocal group of the 1940s, especially during WWII. Though it's not their best remembered song, this 1938 English version of the Yiddish theater song Bei Mir Bist du Schon was their first number one hit. LaVerne, Maxene and Patty Andrews were from Minneapolis. Their father owned a restaurant. They started performing as children and they won local talent contests. LaVerne played piano accompanying silent films in exchange for dance lessons. When dad's restaurant closed, they went on the road to support the family. They toured vaudeville with guys like Leon Belasco and Larry Rich. Initially they were imitating the popular group The Boswell Sisters. They signed with Decca in 1937. Bei Mir Bist du Schon was their second single and it topped the hit parade. Bei Mir Bist du Schon was written by Jacob Jacobs and Shalom Secunda for the 1932 Yiddish musical I Would If I Could. There are conflicting stories about how Sammy Cahn wrote the English lyrics. Vic Schoen was in Leon Belasco's band with The Andrews Sisters. He got them into Decca and he produced the record. Supposedly Schoen actually wrote the lyrics but agreed to put Cahn's name on it to sell sheet music. Schoen went on to produce many hits for The Andrews Sisters including Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in 1941. That is probably The Andrews Sisters' signature song. You can get all their hits on this 2CD budget comp. After WWII, The Andrews Sisters faded and Patty left to go solo in 1951. They reunited in 1955 and signed with Capitol Records. Though they didn't have any more hit singles, they continued to appear on TV until LaVerne died in 1967. The Andrews Sisters had a career resurgence when Bette Midler had a hit with Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in 1973. And that version is probably what makes that song The Andrews Sisters' most memorable hit. Patty and Maxene attempted touring. But they didn't get along. LaVerne was the peacemaker. The two split up. Maxene became a cabaret performer. She died in 1995. Patty appeared as a panelist on The Gong Show and toured solo as well. She died in 2013. Here's The Andrews Sisters performing Bei Mir Bist du Schon and South America, Take It Away on Shower of Stars Dec. 15, 1955.
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