Dardanella

"Dardanella" is a popular song published in 1919 by Fred Fisher, who wrote the lyrics for the music written by Felix Bernard and Johnny S. Black.

"Dardanella"
Sheet music cover, 1919
Song by Selvin's Novelty Orchestra
B-side	My Isle of Golden Dreams[1]
Published	May 21, 1919 (1919-05-21) McCarthy & Fisher, Inc., New York.[2]
Released	December 1919[1]
Recorded	November 20, 1919, take 3[3]
Studio	Victor Studios, New York City[1]
Genre	Jazz Dance Band[3]
Label	Victor 18633[3]
Composer(s)	Felix Bernard, Johnny S. Black
Lyricist(s)	Fred Fisher

Bandleader Ben Selvin (1898–1980) recorded "Dardanella" for several record labels (including Victor and Paramount). His main recording was made for Victor on November 20, 1919, under the name of Selvin's Novelty Orchestra. It was released December 1919[1] and topped the charts the following month, in January 1920. It held the no.1 spot for 13 weeks,[4] and is ranked as the second highest selling single of the 1920s.[5] Selvin's recording broke records by becoming the first record to sell more than three million copies,[6] and would go on to sell more than 5 million.[4]

Other successful recordings in 1920 were by Prince's Orchestra, Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra, and Henry Burr and Albert Campbell.[7]

Notable subsequent recordings were by Acker Bilk and His Paramount Jazz Band (included in his album A Stranger No More);[8] by Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong on their 1960 album Bing & Satchmo, and by Geoff Muldaur and Maria Muldaur on their 1974 Warner/Reprise album, "Sweet Potatoes," featuring Amos Garrett.