Who was yankee doodle dandy?

Answer 1

Within the last 100 years, George M. Cohan has been called the true "Yankee doodle dandy." He authored many of the 'traditional' pro-American rally songs such as "Over there," "Grand Ol' Flag," and the version of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" that most people sing today which is entitled "Yankee Doodle Boy".

Answer 2

"I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the Fourth of July

I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London
Just to ride the ponies
I am the Yankee Doodle Boy"


All silliness aside, Here's what i found on the net:
Yankee Doodle Dandy is a 1942 biographical film about George M. Cohan, starring James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Richard Whorf, Irene Manning, George Tobias, Rosemary DeCamp and Jeanne Cagney.
The song "Yankee Doodle Boy" was Cohan's trademark piece, a patriotic pastiche drawing from the lyrics and melody of the old Revolutionary War number, "Yankee Doodle". Other Cohan tunes in the movie included "Give My Regards to Broadway", "Harrigan", "Mary's a Grand Old Name", "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Over There".

A popular myth about this movie, or at least a stretching of the truth, was that it was written in response to accusations that James Cagney was a communist. The story is as follows: Cagney learns that he is in danger of being blacklisted for having communist sympathies. Therefore, he decides to make the most jingoistic movie he possibly can, and thus clears his name. This myth as stated has its chronology a bit askew, as the McCarthy Era did not begin until the early 1950s. Also the Second Red Scare did not begin until the late 1940s, well after the film was made.

Answer 3

A parody of the revolutionary troops in a song by the British soldiers. No one in particular, just all American troops in general.

Hey! Thumbs down? I'm not saying I agree with the sentiment! I'm a red-blooded southern girl married to an active duty Army officer!! I'm just stating the historical fact of where the song originated! =)

Based on the answers, there are several things being confused in this question. There was the very first original song that came from the british troops: Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a pony.... Then there was the song, "I'm a yankee doodle dandy" that says he's the nephew of his Uncle Sam born on the 4th of July. Then there was the movie (1940's?), "Yankee Doodle Dandy." But they came about in that order.

Answer 4

The song, contrary to what most people assume, was a rendition of something that the British actually used to sing/say during revolutionary times as a way of making fun of Americans, and/or "Yankees" for their lack of style, grace and wit. A "dandy" is the typical pony-tail wearing English woosie, but it seems the British liked being "dandies" so they called Yankee Doodle this sarcastically. In particular they are stating that "Yankees" thought that by sticking a feather in their hat they were being fashionable, or thinking that they were "macoroni" in style by doing so. This was a big HA HA to the overly fashioned and snobby British. Also the fact that they are saying that the Americans are riding ponies is another diss on the "Yankees," as in "look at that silly American riding a pony, when we ride on large horses," also a sexual poke at the penis size of Americans, as well. Luckily us Americans are so proud of ourselves, that we liked the tune, dressed it up a little, and made it into a song we sing in praise of ourselves. So whose laughing now you scone eating mama's boy's. Put that in your tea and drink it!

Answer 5

here's an answer from Wikipedia. As a term Doodle first recognized in the early 17th century, and is known to derive from the Low German dudel or dödel, which potential "fool" or "simpleton". The Macaroni wig exchange into an severe style in the 1770s and grew to become modern-day slang for foppishness. The implication of the verse exchange into subsequently in all hazard that the Yankees have been so unsophisticated that they theory merely sticking a feather in a cap would lead them to the top of style.

Answer 6

Mr Big is correct, mostly. A dandy was a good thing to be - it meant a man who dressed neatly as a reversal of the powdered wigs and frock coats worn by previous generations.

Answer 7

Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a pony
Stuck a feather in his hat and called it maccoroni.

apparently he was a pigeon.

Answer 8

Nephew of Uncle Sam

Answer 9

Just another correction on MrBig's answer

Macoroni was a slang name for the braiding on uniforms in those days

Answer 10

Yankee doodle came to town riding on a pony stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni.