Lazybones

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Lazybones (m. Hoagy Carmichael, w. Johnny Mercer) — also frequently spelled “Lazy Bones”

From Wikipedia:

According to Carmichael, in an interview, Mercer came into Carmichael’s apartment in New York one day and saw Hoagy “snoozin’” on his couch. Mercer said, “Hoag, I’m gonna write a song called ‘Lazy Bones’.” Carmichael said, “Well, let’s get at it.” They went over to Hoagy’s piano, Johnny said the first line and Hoagy started playing a melody. The song was done in twenty minutes. Both men have agreed on the time in separate interviews.

Mercer was a southern boy from Savannah, Georgia, and resented the Tin Pan Alley attitude of rejecting southern regional vernacular in favor of artificial southern songs written by people who had never been to the South. [Alec] Wilder attributes much of the popularity of this song to Mercer’s perfect regional lyric.^[2]

He wrote the lyrics to “Lazybones” as a protest against those artificial “Dixies”, announcing the song’s authenticity at the start with “Long as there is chicken gravy on your rice”.^[2]

complete lyric: Lazybones

Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra — recorded on 5 June 1933, and issued as the B-side of “Sophisticated Lady” (Duke Ellington), Victor 24338

Mildred Bailey with Dorsey Brothers’ Orchestra — recorded as “Lazy Bones” on 8 June 1933; issued on Brunswick 6587, c/w “There’s a Cabin in the Pines”

Ted Lewis and his Orchestra — recorded on 22 June 1933; issued on Columbia 2786-D, c/w “Rhythm” (Jimmy Dale)

The Mills Brothers

B-side of “Nagasaki,” Decca 176, recorded on 13 June 1934

The next video contains two Mills Brothers versions from different eras:

B-side of “Nagasaki,” Decca 176, recorded on 13 June 1934
date unknown, perhaps c.1960

“Lazybones” — 1941 Soundie featuring Hoagy Carmichael, vocals/piano (and cigarette monitor) with (unseen) Bob Crosby and his Orchestra, and dance by Dorothy Dandridge and Peter Ray