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Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Fictional trumpeter from the Andrews Sisters' 1941 hit song. The song was written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince. The song describes how the otherwise unnamed trumpeter was already a successful Chicago musician when he was drafted into the army and assigned bugler duties. His sympathetic captain, perhaps understanding the importance of morale, drafts a full band to back him.
He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way
He had a boogie style that no one else could play
He was the top man at his craft
But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft
He's in the army now, a-blowin' reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B
In the Walter Lantz animated 1941 short, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company 'B', based on the song, the character was given the name of Hot Breath Harry.
Bette Midler recorded a version that went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1973.
