"Runnin' Wild" is a popular song first composed and recorded in 1922, written by Arthur Harrington Gibbs with lyrics by Joe Grey and Leo Wood.

Notable recordings

Further albums and tours (2012–present)

* Original Memphis Five, recorded in December 1922 for Regal Records (catalog No. 9407A). * Nora Bayes - recorded for Columbia Records (catalog No. A3826) on January 11, 1923. * Ted Lewis - a popular recording in 1922. *

Django Reinhardt Jean Reinhardt (23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953), known by his Romani nickname Django ( or ), was a Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer. He was one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe and has been hailed as one of its most ...

Quintette - a gypsy swing version in 1937 * Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, recorded October 17, 1930 for Brunswick Records (catalog No. E34927). *

Jimmie Lunceford James Melvin Lunceford (June 6, 1902 – July 12, 1947) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and bandleader in the swing era. Early life Lunceford was born on a farm in the Evergreen community, west of the Tombigbee River, near Fulton, Mi ...

and His Orchestra, recorded on May 29, 1935 for Decca Records (catalog No. 503B). * Benny Goodman Quartet, recorded February 5, 1937 for Victor Records (25529A). * Glenn Miller and His Orchestra (1939). *

Ted Weems Wilfred Theodore Wemyes, known professionally as Ted Weems (September 26, 1901 – May 6, 1963), was an American bandleader and musician. Weems's work in music was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Biography Born in Pitcair ...

and His Orchestra, recorded for Decca Records (3135A) on October 4, 1939. *

Teddy Wilson Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American jazz pianist. Described by critic Scott Yanow as "the definitive swing pianist", Wilson had a sophisticated, elegant style. His work was featured on the records of many ...

Quintet, recorded January 15, 1945 for Musicraft Records (catalog No. 319). *

The Chordettes The Chordettes were an American female vocal quartet, specializing in traditional pop music. They are best known for their 1950s hit songs " Mr. Sandman" and "Lollipop". Career The group organized in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in 1946. The origin ...

- A single release in 1951. *

Firehouse Five Plus Two The Firehouse Five Plus Two was a Dixieland jazz band, popular in the 1950s, consisting of members of the Disney animation department. Leader and trombonist Ward Kimball was inspired to form the band after spending time with members of the Disn ...

- for their album ''Firehouse Five Plus Two Volume 4'' (1952). *

Joyce Bryant Joyce Bryant (October 14, 1927 – November 20, 2022) was an American singer, dancer, and civil rights activist who achieved fame in the late 1940s and early 1950s as a theater and nightclub performer. With her signature silver hair and tight me ...

released a version of the song in 1954. It also served as the title of her album. *

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

- A swing version is included on the 1962 Verve recording: '' Ella Fitzgerald: Rhythm Is My Business'' with a fabulous big band arrangement by

Bill Doggett William Ballard Doggett (February 16, 1916 – November 13, 1996) was an American pianist and organist. He began his career playing swing music before transitioning into rhythm and blues. Best known for his instrumental compositions "Honky Tonk" ...

. *

The Temperance Seven The Temperance Seven is a British band originally active in the 1960s, specialising in 1920s-style jazz music. They were known for their surreal performances. Career The Temperance Seven was founded at Christmas 1955 by students at the Chels ...

- a single release in 1962 (7" Parlophone R4934). *The New Paul Whiteman Orchestra - for their album ''The New Paul Whiteman Orchestra'' (1975). *

Boston Pops Orchestra The Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in light classical and popular music. The orchestra's current music director is Keith Lockhart. Founded in 1885 as an offshoot of the Boston Symp ...

CD ''Runnin' Wild: The Boston Pops Orchestra Plays Glenn Miller'' (1986). This was

Keith Lockhart Keith Alan Lockhart (born November 7, 1959) is an American conductor. He is the Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Chief Guest Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Artistic Director of the Brevard Music Center in North Caro ...

's first CD with the Boston Pops as their 20th Conductor.

In popular culture

It is probably best known for its inclusion in the classic 1959 comedy film '' Some Like It Hot'', set in the late

Prohibition era Prohibition is the act or practice of forbidding something by law; more particularly the term refers to the banning of the manufacture, storage (whether in barrels or in bottles), transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcoholic be ...

. The song is performed during a rehearsal on a train journey, with

Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe (; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; 1 June 1926 4 August 1962) was an American actress. Famous for playing comedic " blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as wel ...

providing the vocals. It was also used as introductory music on two early sound short films starring Laurel and Hardy ('' Men O' War'' and ''

They Go Boom ''They Go Boom'' is a 1929 short comedy film directed by James Parrott and starring Laurel and Hardy. Tagline 3AM - Mr Hardy had the sniffles - His carburetor hadn't been right for days and days - Plot Laurel & Hardy try to sleep in a rented ...

'', both 1929) before their celebrated theme tune ''The Ku-Ku Song'' was composed. This song was used for the beginning of the Our Gang shorts '' The Holy Terror'' and '' Moan & Groan, Inc.

Woody Allen Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing ...

included the song in his film ''

Zelig ''Zelig'' is a 1983 American mockumentary film written, directed by and starring Woody Allen as Leonard Zelig, a nondescript enigma, who, apparently out of his desire to fit in and be liked, unwittingly takes on the characteristics of strong per ...

'' (1983) when the version by ''The Charleston City All Stars'' was used. The song was also used in the 1988 film '' The Fruit Machine''. and in the 1990 film ''

Miller's Crossing ''Miller's Crossing'' is a 1990 American neo-noir gangster film written, directed and produced by the Coen brothers and starring Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, John Turturro, Jon Polito, J. E. Freeman, and Albert Finney. The plot concerns a ...

''. It was used in an advertising campaign for Prada "Candy" perfume in 2011.

References

{{Authority control 1922 songs Marilyn Monroe songs Songs written by Leo Wood