The Wedding Of Mr Wu

Album: Golden Greats (1933)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to the Brendan Ryan catalogue and discography of the Ukulele Man's work which was commissioned by the George Formby Society, he recorded "Chinese Laundry Blues" on July 1, 1932, and married off its hero in "The Wedding Of Mr Wu" on November 12, 1933; the first take was rejected but issued later (although not on 78). The retakes were recorded the same day for both Decca and Rex.
  • This is arguably the weakest of Formby's Mr Wu songs, and is a fairly straightforward description of his marriage - to a Chinese girl, of course. The wedding was held in church, and instead of "Here Comes The Bride" they walked down the aisle to the strains of the aforementioned "Chinese Laundry Blues". If a blues seems inappropriate for such a happy occasion this could be because no sooner had the happy couple departed than Mr Wu's new wife hit him over the head with a tea set.

    Fortunately for his fans - if not for Mr Wu - Formby would go on to produce more and better songs in the same vein. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.