Cohan, playing the title character, sings this song as his friend is about to sail to America, looking for evidence aboard the ship that will clear his name for allegedly throwing the English Derby. He is sure he'll become a star on Broadway, therefore signing off with: "Give my regards to Broadway."[1]
In 1999, National Public Radio included this song in the "NPR 100," in which NPR's music editors sought to compile the one hundred most important American musical works of the 20th century.
The song was included in the 1968 musical George M!, which was based on Cohan's life. Tony Award-winning actor Joel Grey played Cohan in the original Broadway cast and performed the song for the original cast album.
One of its earliest recordings was by Billy Murray. His recording's short instrumental interludes contain the two closing lines of the chorus to The Yankee Doodle Boy, which was the other famous song from Little Johnny Jones:
Verse 1
Did you ever see two Yankees part upon a foreign shore
When the good ship's just about to start for Old New York once more?
With a tear-dimmed eye they say goodbye, they're friends without a doubt;
When the man on the pier shouts loud and clear, as the ship strikes out...
Verse 2
Say hello to dear old Coney Isle, if there you chance to be,
When you're at the Waldorf[2] have a "smile"[3] and charge it up to me;
Mention my name ev'ry place you go, as 'round the town you roam;
Wish you'd call on my gal, now remember, old pal, when you get back home...
In the song "Thousands Are Sailing" by The Pogues, a verse refers to Cohan and the song, as follows: "Then we said goodnight to Broadway / Giving it our best regards / Tipped our hats to Mister Cohan / Dear old Times Square's favourite bard".
In the film Bring It On, a would-be male cheerleader auditions for the Toros with the song while believing he was auditioning for Pippin.
JibJab uses this song's tune as the year in review for 2013.[5]
