
Aba Daba Honeymoon is a song with lyrics by Arthur Fields and music by Walter Donovan. It was first performed by Ruth Roye and then recorded in 1914 by the comic duo Collins & Harlan. The song enjoyed a revival in popularity in the 1950s after being featured in the 1950 film Two Weeks with Love, starring Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter, who also recorded the song. The song was also featured in the 1959 film Have Rocket, Will Travel, starring the Three Stooges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | Aba Daba Honeymoon |
| Year the song was published | 1914 |
| Writers | Arthur Fields (lyrics) and Walter Donovan (music) |
| First performed by | Ruth Roye |
| First recorded by | Collins & Harlan |
| Movies the song was featured in | Two Weeks with Love (1950), Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959) |
| Artists who sang the song in the movies | Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter |
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What You'll Learn

Aba Daba Honeymoon songwriters
"Aba Daba Honeymoon" is a popular song with lyrics by Arthur Fields and music composed by Walter Donovan. It was published in 1914 by Leo Feist. The song is known for its chorus, "Aba daba daba daba daba daba dab, said the chimpie to the monk; Baba daba daba daba daba daba dab, said the monkey to the chimp." The lyrics tell a playful story of a joyful newlywed couple going on their honeymoon. The phrase "Aba Daba" is a nonsensical expression coined by the songwriters to create a catchy and memorable chorus, representing the carefree state of mind and excitement of the couple.
The song was first performed by Ruth Roye and was first recorded in 1914 by the comic duo team of Collins & Harlan. It gained widespread popularity when it was featured in the 1950 musical film "Two Weeks with Love," starring Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter, who also recorded a version of the song. Their rendition, released as a single by MGM Records, peaked at number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1951. The success of the song led MGM to send Reynolds and Carpenter on a multicity tour to capitalise on its popularity, starting in Washington, D.C.
Over the years, "Aba Daba Honeymoon" has been covered by various artists, including Joanie Bartels, whose version has delighted audiences with its catchy melody and lighthearted lyrics. The song has a special place in the hearts of many, evoking feelings of happiness and nostalgia. It continues to be performed and enjoyed by new generations, particularly in live performances featuring nostalgic or retro-themed music.
The song's lyrics and melody have also left their mark on popular culture. In 1959, a version of "Aba Daba Honeymoon" was featured in the soundtrack of the film "Have Rocket, Will Travel," starring the Three Stooges. This further contributed to the song's enduring legacy and popularity.
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Two Weeks with Love
"Aba Daba Honeymoon" is a song with lyrics by Arthur Fields and music by Walter Donovan. It was first performed by Ruth Roye and was first recorded in 1914 by the comic duo Collins & Harlan. A version of the song was featured in the 1950 film "Two Weeks with Love", starring Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds.
"Two Weeks with Love" is a romantic musical comedy film, released in 1950 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed by Roy Rowland and based on a story by John Larkin, who co-wrote the screenplay with Dorothy Kingsley. The film is set in the early 20th century, focusing on the Robinson family, comprising the parents, Mrs. and Mr. Robinson, and their two daughters, Patti (Jane Powell) and Melba (Debbie Reynolds). The family leaves their home in New York City for a two-week vacation at a resort hotel in upstate New York, where both daughters find romance.
The film follows the romantic pursuits of the two sisters. Patti, the older sister, pursues Demi Armendez, despite facing parental disapproval due to her young age of 17. She also faces competition from Valerie Stresemann, who tries to sabotage Patti's performance at a variety show. Meanwhile, Melba, the younger sister, played by 17-year-old Debbie Reynolds, becomes enamoured with a local boy, Billy, the resort owner's son, who is also pursued by his older sister, Patti.
The film features several musical numbers, including "A Heart That's Free", "Row, Row, Row", "Oceana Roll", and "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon". The most notable musical number is the performance of "Aba Daba Honeymoon" by Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter, which became a smash hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1951. The song's success led to a multicity tour by Reynolds and Carpenter to capitalise on its popularity.
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Debbie Reynolds
One of her notable successes was the 1950 film *Two Weeks with Love*, in which she sang "Aba Daba Honeymoon" with Carleton Carpenter. The song, written by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan, was first published in 1914 and first recorded that same year by the comic duo Collins & Harlan. The version sung by Reynolds and Carpenter was released as a single by MGM Records and reached number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1951. To capitalise on the song's success, MGM sent Reynolds and Carpenter on a multicity personal appearance tour of Loews theatres, beginning in Washington, D.C.
In addition to her acting and singing careers, Reynolds was also a businesswoman. She founded and ran her own dance studio and a film museum, where she kept memorabilia from Hollywood's Golden Age. She was also a humanitarian, dedicating much of her time and energy to charitable causes. She was particularly involved with the Thalians, a group of entertainment professionals who worked to raise awareness and funds for mental health issues.
Reynolds received numerous accolades and honours throughout her career, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and induction into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009. She was also nominated for several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in *The Unsinkable Molly Brown* (1964).
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Carleton Carpenter
Carleton Upham Carpenter Jr. was an American actor, songwriter, composer, and author. He was born in Bennington, Vermont, on July 10, 1926, and died in Warwick, New York, on January 31, 2022, at the age of 95. Carpenter served as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy during World War II and began his performance career as a magician and clown at carnivals. He made his Broadway debut in 1944 with David Merrick's Bright Boy, followed by appearances in Three to Make Ready, John Murray Anderson's Almanac, and Hotel Paradiso.
In 1949, Carpenter was brought to Hollywood by independent producer Louis de Rochemont, who cast him in Lost Boundaries and The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951). He signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1950 and went on to appear in eight films with the studio, including Father of the Bride, Three Little Words, and Summer Stock. He gained fame for his collaborations with Debbie Reynolds in Three Little Words and Two Weeks with Love, where they performed the duet "Aba Daba Honeymoon," which became the first soundtrack recording to reach the top of the charts.
Carpenter had a versatile career, appearing in numerous radio, television, and film productions. He wrote songs like "Christmas Eve," "Cabin in the Woods," and "Ev'ry Other Day," as well as the musical "Northern Boulevard." He was also a successful mystery novelist in the 1970s and 1980s, with books such as "Games Murderers Play" and "Deadhead." His memoir, "The Absolute Joy of Work," was published in 2016.
Carpenter's later career included stage appearances in "Hello, Dolly!" opposite Mary Martin, and "Crazy For You," which was his final Broadway credit. He returned to film with roles in "Up Periscope" (1959) and independent films "Cauliflower Cupids" (1970) and "Some of My Best Friends Are..." (1971).
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The song's revival
"Aba Daba Honeymoon" is a popular song with lyrics by Arthur Fields and music composed by Walter Donovan. It was published in 1914 by Leo Feist and the chorus goes like this:
> Aba daba daba daba daba daba dab,
> Said the chimpie to the monk;
> Baba daba daba daba daba daba dab,
> Said the monkey to the chimp.
The song was first performed by Ruth Roye and was first recorded in 1914 by the comic duo Collins & Harlan. The song has been revived several times, notably in the 1950 film "Two Weeks with Love", where it was performed by Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter. The single from the film reached number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1951.
The song was also featured in the 1959 film "Have Rocket, Will Travel", which starred the Three Stooges. This film marked the Stooges' resurgence in popularity.
In addition to these revivals, the song has been recorded and performed by other artists over the years. For example, in 1951, Kitty Kallen recorded a version of the song with Richard Hayes, which became a hit, reaching number 9 on the charts. More recently, in 1980, Sharon, Lois & Bram released a version of the song on their album "Singing & Swinging".
The enduring popularity of "Aba Daba Honeymoon" is a testament to its catchy melody and fun lyrics. The song has been enjoyed by audiences for over a century and has been successfully revived through its inclusion in films and recordings by various artists.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Aba Daba Honeymoon" was featured in the 1950 movie "Two Weeks with Love", starring Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter.
The song was written by Walter Donovan (music) and Arthur Fields (lyrics) in 1914.
Yes, the song became a hit when it was used in the movie. The single recorded by Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter reached number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1951.
















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