"Small Fry" is a lighthearted popular song written by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) in 1938. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the Paramount film Sing You Sinners, where he sang it in a charming musical number with Fred MacMurray and a young Donald O'Connor.
The tune follows a standard 32-bar AABA form, typically performed around the key of F. Its melody is warm and playful, perfectly suited to the humorous lyrics about scolding a mischievous child. The harmony is straightforward, with a swing-era charm that rewards a relaxed, medium-tempo delivery. While not as frequently called at jam sessions as some other Carmichael compositions, the song remains a beloved choice in the vocal jazz repertoire for its wit and melodic appeal.
The most famous recording is the 1938 duet by Bing Crosby and Johnny Mercer, which reached number three on the charts. In the jazz world, The Hi-Lo's with the Marty Paich Dek-Tette offered a sophisticated vocal group arrangement on their album And All That Jazz (1958), showcasing the song's potential for inventive harmonic treatment.
The Real Book (6th Edition)
The ultimate jazz fake book. A must-have for all gigging musicians.
Check on Amazon.com