"Give My Regards to Broadway"

"Give My Regards to Broadway"
James Cagney singing & dancing
in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

By Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com

Broadway, New York City

James Cagney Singing & Dancing

Herald Square, New York City

Preface: "Give My Regards to Broadway" is a song written (lyrics) by George M. Cohan for his musical play Little Johnny Jones which debuted in 1904 in New York. Cohan, playing the title character, sings this song as his friend is about to sail to America, looking for evidence aboard ship that will clear his name for allegedly throwing the English Derby. He is sure he'll become a star at Broadway, therefore signing off with: "Give my regards to Broadway". The song has been recorded many times. Featured prominently in a solo song-and-dance sequence done by James Cagney in his Oscar-winning performance in the 1942 film about Cohan's life, Yankee Doodle Dandy. It has also been performed by Al Jolson, Jimmy Roselli, Judy Garland, and Patti LuPone.

Give my regards to Broadway
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street
That I will soon be there
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng
Give my regards to old Broadway
And say that I'll be there e'er long

Say hello to dear old Coney Isle
If there you chance to be
When you're at the Waldorf have a smile
And charge it up to me
Mention my name ev'ry place you go
As 'round the town you roam
Wish you'd call on my gal
Now remember, old pal
When you get back home

Give my regards to Broadway
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street
That I will soon be there
Whisper of how I'm yearning
To mingle with the old time throng
Give my regards to old Broadway
And say that I'll be there e'er long

© Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com
May 8, 2023

George M. Cohan
(1878-1942)

"Give My Regards to Broadway"
Little Johnny Jones (1904)

Yankee Doodle Dandy
Oscar Best Film (1942)

James Cagney
Clicking Heels in film