The Laughing Song - George W. Johnson (1898)

"The Laughing Song" was made by George W. Johnson (1846-1914) in 1891. This is one of the first known recording of an African American. Though very little is known about Johnson, this was one of his biggest hits, along with "The Whistling Coon."

The life of George W. Johnson:

[Prauwlet]

A man who was born a slave, who died not knowing his birthday, made one of the most famous songs ever, that still lives on to this day. Wow.

[CarlosGonzalez-dukq]

Just a friendly reminder: This was recorded without electricity. The microphone was 27 years away at this point, folks.

[kaitheguy]

He laughed through the hard times. Nothing but respect for him.

[jamesadams]

My grandfather (born 1908) used to play this on the piano and sing it to us when I was a kid. Great memory.

[dovasvariakojis]

Mr. Johnson has gained my full respect.

I've always been different from everyone.
My face was deformed at birth, I hate modern music, preferring opera and 1800's music, and was bullied for all this.
I wasn't the most athletic or smartest student.
I wasn't the most talented or good looking idol.
I didn't have any friends because of the nasty rumors everyone spread about me.

But through all of that, Mr. Johnson kept me happy and laughing.
Everyone'd call me a wierdo and freak for laughing, but that made me laugh harder.
Now I carry this rule of thumb and hope to share it until the day I die.

"Laughter is the best medicine.."

Rest in Peace Mr. Johnson.
You changed my life..

[FastCarsNoRules]

"What kind of music do you listen to?"
"90s music."
"Oh cool. You like Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls?"
"No, not 1990s. 1890s 👌"

[shanewright]

When this song was recorded, there was no way of quickly reproducing records - so the singer simply had to sing the song over and over again with a bank of microphones in front of him (or her), each one physically transferring the music to a disk.  This record sold 50, 000 copies, so I imagine Mr Johnson had a good few weeks worth of work to provide those copies and was thoroughly sick of the song when he was done!

[Little-She-Devil]

To think it’s the laugh from someone born so many many years ago.
It actually reminds me of how short life actually is.

[tarasubramaniam]

My mum used to tell me about this song..and I never got to find it while she was alive. I wish she was with me to hear this!!/❤❤❤❤❤
Such a Handsome Man with a beautiful

[clintonearlwalker]

As I was coming around the corner
I heard some people say,
"Here comes a dandy darky,
Here he comes this way,
His heel is like a snowplow,
His mouth is like a trap,
And when he opens it gently,
You will see a fearful gap."

And then I laughed . . .

They said, "His mother was a Princess,
His father was a Prince,
And he'd been the apple of their eye
If he had not been a quince.
But he'll be the King of Africa
In the sweet by and by",
And when I heard them say it, why
I laughed until I cried.

And then I laughed . . .

So now, kind friend, just listen
To what I'm going to say.
I've tried my best to please you
With my simple little lay.
Now, whether you think it's funny,
Or quite a bit of chaff,
Why all I'm going to do is
Just to end it with a laugh.

And then I laughed . . .

[beeaem]

I can feel how simple he is. He 's laughing from heart and he's very kind. No complication. I like his simplicity.

[shoesfirst]

THIS IS WHAT YOUTUBE IS ALL ABOUT FOR ME! FIRST EVER BLACK RECORDING ARTIST!

[geocojonnrigor]

Randomly got this on recommended videos after searching 1800s and 1900s songs. 😅 Now I'm here loving this song sm.

[blobslob]

The fact that this was recorded in the 1800s is mind blowing

[Kite]

If it wasn't for YouTube, I would have never heard this. Modern technology ís good for something!

[gaDrmcst]

This song managed to put me in a good mood.
A song made over 120 years ago.
That's some staying power!

[danbradz]

still cant believe he sang this 1000 times just so it can be recorded in multiple cylinders

[Malda_]

My favorite song from the 1890s, I will make sure when I have kids to play this for them to pass on to generations because this is happy music

[Khloe_dancer_model]

Omg...the guy died long ago...but we are listening to him today in 2017....this is CRAZY!

[darknessanddistance]

For those who study like history, this is a recording of the very first black recording artist, George Washington Johnson. He was the first black recording artist, making records from about 1890 until 1914, the year of his death. He was discovered performing on a steamboat by an agent for Edison and was signed up because of his loud rockers and clear voice, and the fact that he came with his own material. Johnson was born a slave and was freed after the civil war. He was the first black recording artist of any vote and he recorded for every phonograph company on a city basis after his first North American cylinders were released in the early 1890s. Illiterate, George w. Johnson had only four songs in his repertoire, which he recorded over and over in every record format of that time for every company issuing recordings. Innocent Johnson wrote all of his own material. He