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Editorial
August 14, 1926
The St. Paul Echo
St. Paul, Minneapolis, Ramsey County, Hennepin County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
Editorial from Chicago Bee condemns the massive popularity of Ethel Waters' vulgar song 'Shake That Thing,' over 800,000 copies sold, as evidence of Americans' (white and Black) craving for indecent, prurient content, dubbing it a national anthem of filth.
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THE TRIUMPH OF VULGARITY
(From the Chicago Bee)
The Columbia Record Company has announced "Shake That Thing," a record made by Ethel Waters, is the most widely sold record this company has ever made. It has passed the 800,000 mark and will go to a million.
The American people crave filth and dirt. They thrive on a diet of mud. Like microbes they grow in dark and cavernous quarters. They relish artistic carrion. They are prurient for songs suggestive of the vulgar. They itch for sex. We refer to the white people first, and then to their colored imitators.
Here is proof positive of it: For this popular song is about the most vulgar, sordidly suggestive, indecent in connotation which any company has put upon the market. Devoid of richness of rhythm, lacking in beautiful music, unspeakably low in language - this song is a tawdry, musically cheap and linguistically common composition, compared with which, "Yes, We Have No Bananas," was as a production from Bach or Beethoven.
"Shake That Thing" was sold to white and colored people. It is a record breaking record of a great record company. It is what the American people want. Risque, daring and bold - it parades without tights, stockings or lingerie. It is naked and voluptuous. It is Joyce Hawley, nude and drunk in a tub of wine. It is jazz stark mad.
George Schuyler, celebrated satirist of the Messenger, calls it the Negro's National Anthem. We think he limited its possession too much. It would seem to be America's national anthem. More Americans claim it than any other song. Millions shake to "Shake that thing." And "that's that."
(From the Chicago Bee)
The Columbia Record Company has announced "Shake That Thing," a record made by Ethel Waters, is the most widely sold record this company has ever made. It has passed the 800,000 mark and will go to a million.
The American people crave filth and dirt. They thrive on a diet of mud. Like microbes they grow in dark and cavernous quarters. They relish artistic carrion. They are prurient for songs suggestive of the vulgar. They itch for sex. We refer to the white people first, and then to their colored imitators.
Here is proof positive of it: For this popular song is about the most vulgar, sordidly suggestive, indecent in connotation which any company has put upon the market. Devoid of richness of rhythm, lacking in beautiful music, unspeakably low in language - this song is a tawdry, musically cheap and linguistically common composition, compared with which, "Yes, We Have No Bananas," was as a production from Bach or Beethoven.
"Shake That Thing" was sold to white and colored people. It is a record breaking record of a great record company. It is what the American people want. Risque, daring and bold - it parades without tights, stockings or lingerie. It is naked and voluptuous. It is Joyce Hawley, nude and drunk in a tub of wine. It is jazz stark mad.
George Schuyler, celebrated satirist of the Messenger, calls it the Negro's National Anthem. We think he limited its possession too much. It would seem to be America's national anthem. More Americans claim it than any other song. Millions shake to "Shake that thing." And "that's that."
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Satire
What keywords are associated?
Vulgar Music
Shake That Thing
Ethel Waters
American Prurience
Cultural Filth
Racial Imitation
Jazz Critique
What entities or persons were involved?
Ethel Waters
Columbia Record Company
George Schuyler
Chicago Bee
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Vulgar Popular Song 'Shake That Thing'
Stance / Tone
Strongly Condemnatory Of Cultural Vulgarity
Key Figures
Ethel Waters
Columbia Record Company
George Schuyler
Chicago Bee
Key Arguments
'Shake That Thing' Is The Most Sold Record By Columbia, Exceeding 800,000 Copies
The Song Is Vulgar, Suggestive, Indecent, Lacking Rhythm And Beauty
It Reflects American Craving For Filth, Dirt, And Prurient Content
Applies To White People And Their Colored Imitators
George Schuyler Calls It The Negro's National Anthem, But It Seems America's