Last month I posted about the surprising number of cover versions there were for “The Mickey Mouse Club March”. The positive reaction to that post had me considering covers of other such songs that emenate from animated cartoons. Could this be the beginning of a new series… I don’t know. But it’s fun to think about.

Beyond the mega hit “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” from the blockbuster short Three Little Pigs (1933) – or perhaps “Der Furher’s Face” in 1942 – a popular song making its initial appearance in a cartoon short was a rarity beyond the walls of the Disney studio. For the record (no pun intended), Pat Boone’s 1962 novelty hit Speedy Gonzales was never in an actual Warner Bros cartoon – despite Mel Blanc doing the character voice on the 45rpm single; while The Archies “Sugar, Sugar” was indeed a bonafide hit that originated from a cartoon – a Saturday morning Filmation show, for goodness sake!.

The Woody Woodpecker Song was indeed based on the Walter Lantz cartune star – in fact, it was written by two musicians in Lantz’ house orchestra. It became the first song from a cartoon short (Wet Blanket Policy) to ever be nominated for the Academy Award (for “Best Song” 1948) and was number #1 on the Billboard magazine “Hit Parade” for many weeks that year. The song was also the basis for a lawsuit between Mel Blanc (for his unique laugh) and Lantz – which ended amicably.

Here’s the original 1948 recording that started it all…

Here’s Mel Blanc’s own recording the following year (with The Sportsmen, his colleagues from The Jack Benny Show):

Also from 1948, this delightful cover by Danny Kaye and The Andrews Sisters.

Of course it was covered on kiddie records. Pinky and Perky were Britain’s version of The Chipmunks – marionette-puppet piggies with sped-up voices, who fronted their own kids show on BBC1 from 1957 through 1958.

This is only 49 seconds, but it’s by Lothar And The Hand People – a late-1960s psychedelic rock band known for its experimental electronic music stylings. I dig it.

The most recent cover is by vibraphonist Steve Hobbs in 2009. Jazzy, cool, easy on the ears – everything the later theatrical Woody cartoons are not.