"Happy Feet" is a song with music by Milton Ager and lyrics by Jack Yellen, first published in 1930. It was originally introduced in the Universal Pictures revue film King of Jazz (1930), where it was performed by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra with the Rhythm Boys.
Background In film, the song was introduced in one of the musical-dancing sequences. It begins with the verse and chorus sung by the Rhythm Boys (featuring future multimedia star Bing Crosby in his onscreen debut) with the Sisters G reprising the chorus in German. The rest of "Happy Feet" sequence contains the latter's dance show along with the Russell Markert Girls. A memorable "rubber legs" solo was danced by Al Norman.
According to the labels on the shellac records, the target dance for the song was a foxtrot.
Notable recordings Date Main recording artist Vocalist(s) Notes February 10, 1930 Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra The Rhythm Boys Featuring Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker. April 9, 1930 Leo Reisman and his Orchestra Lew Conrad May 8, 1930 Frankie Trumbauer's Orchestra Smith Ballew May 9, 1930 Jack Hylton and his Orchestra Pat O’Malley May 26, 1930 The Mariners Trio October 7, 1930 The Revelers October 14, 1930 Cab Calloway and his Orchestra Cab Calloway October 3, 1933 Horace Henderson and his Orchestra Henry Allen Kermit the Frog performed the song in Episode 209 of The Muppet Show. Kermit's rendition is preserved on a number of recordings, including 2002's The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem, and More.
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