Boogie Down (Me): Hangman’s Boogie (#3)

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Oh, you’re gonna hate me now. Yes, it’s an odd-numbered day, which means it’s my turn to boogie. “Odd” is appropriate. I love this song (hence its high place on the list), but you’re really going to wonder. And Linda? NO WAY! #3: Hangman’s Boogie - Cowboy Copas Most people know the name of Lloyd “Cowboy” Copas as one of the “other” people who died in the plane crash with Patsy Cline in 1963. At this point I’ll repeat that line from Eddie Stubbs that I quote so frequently any time Copas comes up in conversation: “Cowboy Copas did a lot more in country music than just die in a plane crash with Patsy Cline.” Consider this (well…). This was recorded in 1949. Patsy was in high school when Copas released this. While Cline was (and is) the biggest “name,” Copas had the longest-established career of any of the victims of country music’s “Day the Music Died.” Now, about this song… This was written by a west coast musician and policeman, Larry Cassidy. He never got any fame beyond playing clubs in the Los Angeles area and recording a few sides…oddly enough, one of which was NOT this song. The song was featured in a movie called Square Dance Jubilee, starring Don “Red” Barry. Copas appeared in the film as himself, singing this song. The theme of a convicted cattle rustler (yes, that was a capital offense back in the days of the Wild West) singing an upbeat tune about his impending doom isn’t exactly an upbeat topic. That’s why I love this song so much: the lyrics don’t go with the music. There aren’t too many people on death row singing a song that’ll make you dance! Add in more than a few puns (“I’m gonna do the boogie with a drop-me beat, it’s just a corny rhythm where you swing your feet,” “to do this little boogie you just hang around”) or outright comedy (“my lawyer said he’d spring me but he must have died,” “everybody’s watching, you’re the star of the show”) and you have an absolutely delightful song. I’ll show myself the door. Hangman’s Boogie Written by Larry Cassidy Recorded by Cowboy Copas Released as a single, 1949 It’s a one-way ticket: