"I've Never Seen A Straight Banana"br br 1927br br Jack Smith, Whispering Baritonebr br I've seen lots of funny things in my time,br But there's one thing I've been trying hard to get.br For years and years and years I've kept on searching, br But I haven't had the luck to see one yet.br Although you've never seen one, br You all know the thing I mean,br And now I'm going to tell you what it isbr I haven't seen.br br I've never, never, never, never, br I've never seen a straight banana.br br I have searched quite a bit. br Yet I must admitbr They're even curved when they are served in my banana split.br I have seen them by the car-load on the Delaware & Lacawanabr But I've never...br I've never seen a straight banana.br br I recall when I was in Alaskabr I have seen the sun shine at twelve-o'clock at night. br I've seen the waterfalls at old Niagarabr I confess it is a most impressive sight.br I'd love to see one certain thingbr But if it's not to be,br I'd like to see somebody elsebr Who saw what I can't see.br br I've never, never, never, never seen a straight banana.br Although the things I hate,br Hundreds I have ate.br But I've never yet seen one banana that was straight.br br I've never, never, never, never seen a straight banana.br Once I chanced to see a real life murder mysterybr The jury found the prisoner guilty in the first degree.br All at once we heard the prisoner holler out, br "This is the truth, your honor,br I've never, never never, neverbr Never, never, never, neverbr I've never seen a straight banana."br br I enjoy the recordings of Whispering Jack Smith--the haunting quality of his voice in sentimental tunes, the humor he conveys in comic songs, his choice of material during a Golden Age of songwriting, the tasteful accompaniments to his voice (he often provides his own piano accompaniment, and his playing is deft).br br The crooner's first discs were marketed in late 1925, "The Whispering Baritone" enjoying popularity from that time until 1929 or so. His records sold well for four years, but sales declined dramatically with the Depression's onset.br br Born with the name Jacob Schmidt (probably on May 30, 1896), the singer made a legal change to Jack Smith around the time anti-German sentiment ran high.br br With the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I, Smith was a victim of a gas attack at the battle of Saint-Mihiel, or so it has been claimed--a book by Brian Rust says it, so people repeat it, but no primary source is cited. Can someone find a Jack Smith interview in which he says this?br br His discs were among the earliest made with an "electric" recording process, a microphone used. His first recording session was on August 28, 1925, but Victor issued nothing from this "test" date or trial session. "Cecilia" was soon afterwards cut. Recorded on September 21, 1925, this "A' side of his first disc was among his biggest hits.br br Another song closely associated with Smith is "Gimmie a Little Kiss, Will Ya?" His delivery is unique--perfect for the song. He recorded many songs that would become standards.