A Second Hand Turban And A Crystal Ball

Album: Anything Goes soundtrack (1956)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • As might be deduced from its title, this is a novelty/comedy song. Although Anything Goes is based largely on the music of Cole Porter, this song in 4/4 time from the 1956 film version was written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jimmy Van Heusen. It is performed by Bing Crosby with a little help from Donald O'Connor.
  • The lines:

    I was the very first to prophecy
    The month of June would come before July
    I think the year was 1929
    When I insisted all the stocks were fine


    May have been written simply to rhyme or equally they may be a cynical commentary on the real predictions of astrologers and other psychic charlatans. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.