You Rascal You
"You Rascal You" is an American song written by Sam Theard in 1929[1] and legally titled "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead."[2] The lyrics take the form of threats and complaints leveled against a man who has repaid the singer's hospitality and kindness by running off with the singer's wife.
It has been covered by Clarence Willams, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Louis Jordan, Jimmie Noone, Cab Calloway, Louis Prima, John Fogerty, Dr. John, Henry "Rufe" Johnson, Serge Gainsbourg, Ingrid Michaelson, Eddy Mitchell, Taj Mahal, and Hanni El Khatib, whose version is being used in a TV ad for the movie "The Imposter".
Sam Theard made a follow-up song in 1930 titled I Done Caught That Rascal Now [1]
Film
The song is played by Louis Armstrong in the Betty Boop cartoon I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You (1932). It is also performed by, then child star, Sammy Davis Jr. in "Rufus Jones for President" (1932).
The song is can also be found in the Gary Cooper movie, The General Died at Dawn (1936). Part of this song is sung by the character Brighton, played by William Frawley.
The song opens Grumpier Old Men.
References
- 1 2 Abrams, Steve and Settlemier, Tyrone. "BRUNSWICK Records - 7000 'Race' series 78rpm numerical discography." The Online Discographical Project. The Online Discographical Project, accessed Dec 26, 2015
- ↑ ASCAP Title Search
YouTube links
- by Clarence Williams
- by Cab Calloway
- by Connie's Inn Orchestra and Rex Stewart
- by Jimmie Noone
- by John Fogerty
- by Louis Armstrong
- by Louis Armstrong and Louis Jordan
- by Louis Prima
- by Hanni El Khatib
- by Henry "Rufe" Johnson