A Bushel and a Peck

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"A Bushel and a Peck"
Song
Published1950
Songwriter(s)Frank Loesser

"A Bushel and a Peck" is a popular song written by Frank Loesser and published in 1950. The song was introduced in the Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls,[1] which opened at the 46th Street Theater on November 24, 1950. It was performed on stage by Vivian Blaine, who later reprised her role as Miss Adelaide in the 1955 film version of the play. "A Bushel and a Peck," however, was omitted from the film, and instead replaced by a new song, titled "Pet Me, Poppa."

A popular recording by Perry Como and Betty Hutton (made on September 12, 1950, and released by RCA Victor first reached the Billboard chart on October 27, 1950, and lasted 18 weeks on the chart, where it peaked at number 6.[2]

Another contemporary recording that had some popularity was by Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely (recorded on September 13, 1950, and released by Capitol Records. The record first reached the Billboard chart on October 20, 1950, and lasted 13 weeks on the chart, peaking at number 13.[2]

Doris Day's recording (made on September 13, 1950, and released by Columbia Records as 78rpm catalog number 39008 and 45rpm catalog number 6-838) made the chart on January 5, 1951, at number 30 for one week.[2] Day's rendition of the song enjoyed a surge in popularity due to its usage in a 2017 State Farm Insurance TV commercial.[3]

Many other recording artists also did versions of the song.

On Cash Box's Best-Selling Record charts, where all versions of the song are combined, the song reached number 5 on December 2, 1950.

The song gained so much popularity before the musical actually opened that it was moved from its original spot at the start of the second act into the first act.[citation needed]

The number, in context of the show, can be performed either as "Miss Adelaide and her Chick Chick Chickadees," where the girls are dressed in yellow feathers, or as "Miss Adelaide and the Hot Box Farmerettes," where skimpy plantation outfits are worn (often jean cutoffs and checkered racing shirts or short gingham sundresses).[citation needed]

Recorded versions[]

References[]

  1. ^ Dietz, Dan (July 2, 2014). The Complete Book of 1950s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 39. ISBN 978-1442235052. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940-1955. Record Research.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2017-08-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)


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