Special Sub-Topic: Mr. Bojangles Click Here To Play: Mr. Bojangles

Fill In The Blank- "I knew a man. Bojangles and he'll ______ for you.

dance. The song title is probably derived from Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949); one of the greatest tap dancers. However, the Bojangles in the song is not Bill Robinson; the song's author says he based it on a man he met in a jail cell.

Which of the following did "Mr.Bojangles" not have?

Old Brown Shoes. Bojangles would apparently wear these types of clothes in real life despite his fame.

How many years did Bojangles speak with tears for?

15. This is part of the lyrics to the song; and after 20 years he still grieves the loss of his dog.

Why did he speak with tears?

His dog up and died. Bojangles' dog did die and this affected him drastically.

What accent does Robbie Williams put on for the emotional verse about Bojangles hard life?

African-American. Williams decided to do this at the last minute before recording.

Who else recorded in the studio where Robbie Williams recorded "Mr. Bojangles"?

Frank Sinatra. Robbie chose to record "Swing When You're Winning" in this LA studio because Sinatra recorded there.

What did the orchestra do at the completion of Robbie Williams recording "Mr. Bojangles" for the first take?

Stood and applauded. The orchestra actually stood and applauded because they were in rapture that a young person was singing the "old songs" and doing them so unbelievably well.

According to Williams, what do Bojangles and he have in common?

Drinker, Brawler and Womaniser. On his "Live At The Albert" DVD, Williams states "he was a drinker, a brawler and a womaniser. So we're in good company!"

Bojangles was a name given to a type of itinerant street dancer, and from this tradition emerged Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, one of the first entertainers to be acknowledged with that nickname. When he died, numerous people lined up to carry his coffin. Which of these did not?

Roy Eldridge. On "Live At The Albert", Williams recites that "when he died, his coffin was carried by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin".

How does the song "Mr Bojangles" finish?

Whistle. This is how it was originally recorded by Sammy Davis Jr.

Who wrote "Mr. Bojangles" and in what year was it written?

Jerry Jeff Walker - 1968. The song was written for Walker's first solo album which was published in 1969.

Who first sang "Mr. Bojangles"?

Jerry Jeff Walker. The song was first sung by Walker on his first album before it became one of Nilsson's most requested songs and was included on his "Best Of Nilsson" album in 1988.

Which of the following singers has NOT covered "Mr. Bojangles"?

Nina Ferro. Nina Ferro, an Australian jazz singer has not yet recorded "Mr. Bojanges". Astrom, Bromberg and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have all covered popular versions of the song.

What cartoon character has sung his own version of "Mr. Bojangles" on "The Simpsons"?

Homer. This is the funniest thing I have ever seen! Homer wanted to buy Marge an anniversary present so he decided to be a "crazy" bum in order to get enough money to buy her a nice present. He sings Bojangles while people throw money at him and run away!

In what year did Bill "Bojangles" Robinson die?

1949. Robinson died of a chronic heart condition at Columbia Presbyterian Center in New York City in 1949. His body lay in state at an armory in Harlem; schools were closed, thousands lined the streets waiting for a glimpse of his bier, and he was eulogized by politicians, black and white--perhaps more lavishly than any other African American of his time. He was buried in the cemetery of the Evergreens in New York City. The song title is probably derived from Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949). However, the Bojangles in the song is not Bill Robinson; the song is based on Babe Stovall (a blues singer from New Orleans).