In 1944, the “Chiquita Banana Song” premiered as a jingle, a commercial song for extolling the virtues of and selling bananas. By 1945, the jingle was being aired as many at 2,700 times a week. In addition, it became a popular tune with a number of big bands and singing groups issuing recordings. The original singer of the jingle was Elsa Miranda, who issued a commercial phonograph accompanied by the Viva American Orchestra. But there were also recordings by the DeMarco Sisters, Gene Krupa, Xavier Cugat, and Carmen Miranda. The song continued to be popular with the T-Bones issuing a recording in 1966. Recently, the song has appeared in the Simpsons television show and in the movie Despicable Me.
- Chiquita Banana Song
Composer: Leonard McKenzie & William Wirges
Performer: French Navy Band of Toulon
Album: Light Music, Vol. 1
Additional information
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Performer: Consortium Classicum
Album: Italian Serenades
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Composer: Giovanni Paisiello (1740–1816), arranged by Johann Wendt (1745-1801)
Performer: Consortium Classicum
Album: Italian Serenades
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