The House of Blue Lights (song)

"The House of Blue Lights" is a boogie woogie-style popular song written by Don Raye and Freddie Slack. Published in 1946, it was first recorded by Slack with singer Ella Mae Morse and Raye.

The song's intro includes a "hipster"-style spoken exchange:

• "Well, whatcha say, baby? You look ready as Mr. Freddy this black. How 'bout you and me goin' spinnin' at the track?"
• "What's that, homie? If you think I'm goin' dancin' on a dime, your clock is tickin' on the wrong time."
• "Well, what's your pleasure, treasure? You call the plays, I'll dig the ways."
• "Hey daddy-o, I'm not so crude as to drop my mood on a square from way back..."

A single review in Billboard magazine included similar hipster parlance:

The single reached number eight on the Hot 100 singles chart.

Other recordings

"The House of Blue Lights" has been recorded by a variety of musical artists.

• A version by the Andrews Sisters, also released in 1946, reached number 15.
• In 1955, a recording by Chuck Miller for Mercury Records reached number nine on the Billboard Popular Records chart.
• A cover by Asleep at the Wheel peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1987.
• The Harvard Krokodiloes have long used the song as their traditional opening number at all their concerts.

References