I'm A Little Teapot

The story is that George Sanders wrote The Teapot Song to assist in teaching very young students who found advanced dance steps difficult. The movements he choreographed for the tune required minimal skill and encouraged pantomime. Little did they know their song and dance was to become an enduring bit of Americana.

The tune spread quickly and a few years later Lipton used a more elaborate arrangement for commercials. The notation for one popular recording reads: “This was a 1941 hit for Horace Heidt, with words and music by Clarence Kelley and George H. Sanders. Performed by Ronnie Kemper, the record sold over a million copies and the tune was used in Lipton Tea commercials. There was also a dance associated with the song, called the The Teapot Tip.”

For the musicians reading, the sheet music for The Teapot Song, including front and rear covers, shows the cover art copyright believed to belong to the label, Kelman Music Corporation, or the graphic artist(s).

Although loads of contemporary children’s videos of “The Teapot Song,” including the dance, are available online, uncovering references to the original Teapot Tip dance has been challenging. In 2014, however, a bonus sheet surfaced on Ebay that includes clearly explained instructions on how to dance the Teapot Tip. This would be great fun for tea gatherings!

In 1953, Betty Harris (“Hokey Pokey” songstress) and Peter Pan Records made the song immensely popular. It was released on both 78s and 45s. Rocking Horse (early 1960s), then Peter Pan Records (1979), released PARTY TIME, a compilation of dance and game songs for children. Included is an embellished version of “I’m a Little Teapot,” also sung by Betty Harris, with pantomime instructions.

So now that we all have this catchy, nostalgic tune in our heads, here’s a question for all the JEOPARDY fans reading: is it just me or do those last notes of the show’s theme music send you running to check on the kettle?

Notable recordings and uses of “I’m a Little Teapot” include:

• A 1941 hit recording for Horace Heidt, with words and music by Clarence Kelley and George H. Sanders, performed by Ronnie Kemper and used in Lipton Tea commercials, along with the associated Teapot Tip dance.
• The 1953 recording by Betty Harris on Peter Pan Records, issued on both 78s and 45s, and later included on the children’s compilation PARTY TIME.
• Modern references and comparisons, including the observation that the final notes of the JEOPARDY theme can feel like a cue to check on a whistling kettle.

Links to YouTube:

1) 1941 hit for Horace Heidt, with words and music by Clarence Kelley and George H. Sanders. Performed by Ronnie Kemper; the record sold over a million copies and the tune was used in Lipton Tea commercials. There was also a dance associated with the song, called “The Teapot Tip.”

2) In 1953, Betty Harris (“Hokey Pokey” songstress) and Peter Pan Records made the song immensely popular. It was released on both 78s and 45s.

3) So now that we all have this catchy, nostalgic tune in our heads, here’s a question for all the JEOPARDY fans reading. Is it just me or do those last notes of the show’s theme music send you running to check on the kettle?

'I'm a little teapot Short and stout Here is my handle Here is my spout When I get all steamed up I just shout Tip me over and pour me out I'm a very special pot It is true Here's an example of what I can do I can turn my handle into a spout Tip me over and pour me out....'