Shortly after the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Whistle While You Work became a hit song, topping the charts for several week following. The song became an instant classic and was used in many jazz and big band performances all over the country.
One of the earliest covers of this song was recorded in 1938 by jazz orchestra leader LARRY CLINTON featuring the wonderful voice of BEA WAIN.
Clinton was a prominent big band leader in the late 30s and 40s. While is notable for his arranging skills (he arranged music for Louis Armstrong, the Dorsey Brothers and many others) he is better known for taking classical work, such as the work of Debussy and Tchaikovsky, and arranging them for his jazz orchestra and adding lyrics for his singers to sing. He called this 'Swinging the Classics'.
When Clinton was putting together his band he knew he needed a singer. He heard Bea Wain sing an 8-bar solo on the radio one day and new that was his voice. He sought her out and asked her if she would sing for him and the rest is history.
 | Whistle While You Work Larry Clinton and His Orchestra, feat. Bea Wain 1938   |
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