Rate-O-Rama #34: When the Saints Go Marching In

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Check out the disco-thumpin' funked out Rate-O-Rama theme song here!!!

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About Rate-O-Rama

Rate-O-Rama is a reader participation game.

Every other Wednesday, I publish an article featuring three songs. Your task is to listen to the provided music videos, then rate each song in the comments section.

*** Rate-O-Rama #35 will be published on Wednesday June 11, 2025 ***

(Note: You must be a Vocal Media member to comment. If you’re not a member, you can join for free! You’ll never have to pay unless you choose to upgrade your membership.)

How to Rate

The rating method is simple:

• Rate each song from 1 to 100 (the more you like it, the higher the rating).
• If possible, leave a brief comment sharing your thoughts on each song.

After two weeks (on Monday evening), I will tally the ratings. In the next Rate-O-Rama post, I’ll announce the average rating each song received.

*** Voting for the 34th Edition of Rate-O-Rama closes on Monday June 9, 2025 ***

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The Results of The Thirty Third Edition of Rate-O-Rama

🥉Third Place: “Morning Dance” by Spyro Gyra 91.2 point average

🥈Second Place: “Rise” by Herb Alpert 91.9 point average

🥇First Place: “Feels So Good” by Check Mangione 98 point average

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The Thirty-Fourth Edition: “When the Saints Go Marching In”

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🎺 Louis Armstrong (1938/1965)

“When the Saints Go Marching In” often referred to as simply "The Saints", is a traditional black spiritual which originated as a Christian hymn. The first known recorded version of the song was by the Paramount Jubilee singers recorded in 1923. Throughout the 1920s several other black gospel vocal ensembles recorded the song. But it was Louis Armstrong’s joyful 1938 recording that made the song famous.

Armstrong's 1938 recording was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2021.

Armstrong re-recorded the song in 1965 for his album Louis. His recognizable trumpet playing and one of a kind gruff yet festive voice brought the song to the forefront again. The video included here is the 1965 rendition.

🎺 Trivia:

What does Louis Armstrong refer to himself as in the opening of “When the Saints Go Marching In”?

• Brother Satchmo
• Reverend Satchmo
• Father Satchmo

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🎸Bill Haley and His Comets (1956)

Haley and his Comets recorded a rock and roll version of the song titled "The Saints Rock 'N' Roll". In this rock and swing rendition Bill Haley sings with enthusiasm and plays a mean guitar.

Haley learned the song from his mother when he was a youngster. He composed the new arrangement and adaptation with record innovative producer/songwriter Milt Garbler. Gabler also wrote the additional lyrics in Haley’s rendition. Gabler is Billy Crystal’s uncle.

Some sources say that Haley and his band took the song to number 18 in the US while other sources say number 44. However, the song did reach number five in the UK where it was a huge hit.

🎸 Trivia:

Which member of Haley’s Comets is not mentioned in the song “The Saints Rock N Roll”

• Franny
• Johnny
• Rudy

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🎤 Lady Gaga (2024)

Gaga recorded the song for her concept album Harlequin in which she continued her role as Harley Quinn created for the film Joker: Folie à Deux. The album was populated with mostly jazz standards and two original jazz tunes.

🎺 Trivia:

Who co-wrote the additional lyrics for "Oh, When the Saints” with Lady Gaga?

• Michael Polansky
• David Campbell
• Brian Newman

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My Thoughts

🎺 Louis Armstrong: I am a longtime fan of Louis Armstrong. I love his voice and in my humble viewpoint he is the greatest horn player to ever live. My Rating: 100

🎸 Bill Haley and His Comets: I enjoy the early rock and roll treatment of the song. I’m a big fan of 1950s rock. Adding a hint of swing finds favor with me plus Haley’s guitar solo is a tasty treat. My Rating: 91

🎙️ Lady Gaga: Gaga sings the song well but without the soulful joy it deserves. The musical production is excellent but it seems to be a cookie cutter arrangement. While technically the song is good it lacks a deeper emotion and loses me halfway through. My Rating: 87

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Trivia Answers

• Louis Armstrong refers to himself as Reverend Satchmo. The nickname "Satchmo" comes from a shortened version of "Satchelmouth." He was known for his large mouth, which reminded people of a bag or satchel. He was never an ordained minister but for the sake of this well-known black spiritual he used the title Reverend. It was common for gospel musicians to use the title "Reverend" when singing gospel tunes, particularly in the United States.
• Johnny Grande, Haley’s keyboardist was not mentioned. Franny Beecher (lead guitarist) and Rudy Pompilli (tenor sax) were both mentioned.
• Lady Gaga’s fiance, Michael Polansky, co-wrote the additional lyrics for “Oh, When the Saints” with Lady Gaga. To date the entrepreneur and venture capitalist has co-written 12 songs with her.

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Now it’s your turn to rate the songs and share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Musically your, RHC 🎶