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What a Mouth (What a North and South)

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1906 song written by R. P. Weston

"What a Mouth (What a North and South)"
Single by Tommy Steele
from the album Get Happy with Tommy
B-side"Kookaburra"
ReleasedJune 1960 (1960-06)
Recorded1960
StudioDecca Studios, London
GenrePop
Length2:45
LabelDecca
Songwriter(s)R. P. Weston
Tommy Steele singles chronology
"Little White Bull"
(1960) 		"What a Mouth (What a North and South)"
(1960) 		"Happy-Go-Lucky Blues"
(1960)

"What a Mouth (What a North and South)" is a music hall song written by R. P. Weston in 1906 and first sung by Harry Champion. It is better known for the version recorded by Tommy Steele in 1960, which peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.

Early versions

The song was often performed by Harry Champion, and was published as sheet music by Francis, Day & Hunter in 1906 as one of Francis & Day's Album of Cockney Songs. The first commercially released recording was by The Two Bills from Bermondsey — Bill Burnham and Bill French — who were recorded by Peter Kennedy at "The Cock & Monkey" in Bermondsey on 13 February 1954. The 78 rpm record, Parlophone R 3953, was released in January 1955.

Tommy Steele version

Background

Steele recorded a cover of "What a Mouth" as it was one of his father's favourite songs. Steele's father told him that he knew he would be successful if he "became as successful as the Two Bills". As with the rest of the album Get Happy with Tommy, "What a Mouth" was recorded live at Decca Studios.

Track listing

7": Decca / F 11245

  1. "What a Mouth (What a North and South) – 2:45
  2. "Kookaburra" – 1:58

Charts

Chart (1960) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 3
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade) 7
UK Singles (OCC) 5
UK Disc Top 20 5
UK New Musical Express Top 20 4
UK Record Mirror Top 20 5

References

  1. "What A Mouth!". www.goldenhindmusic.com. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  2. "Francis & Day's Album of Cockney Songs ", Sheet Music Warehouse. Retrieved 14 February 2022
  3. The Two Bills From Bermondsey: What A Mouth, What A Mouth (What A North And South), 45worlds.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022
  4. "The Londoners", Folktrax Archive. Retrieved 14 February 2022
  5. ^ Lassandro, Sebastian (11 July 2021). Tommy Steele: A Life in the Spotlight. Fonthill Media. p. 86.
  6. "BBC radio actuality recordings: Bermondsey pub songs 1954 | The London Sound Survey". www.soundsurvey.org.uk. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  7. Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
  8. "Lever Hit Parade". flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  9. "Tommy Steele: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  10. "Top Twenty" (PDF). Disc. 16 July 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  11. "NME Music Charts". New Musical Express. 8 July 1960.
  12. "The Second Ten". Record Mirror. 9 July 1960.
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