Song lyrics to I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate (1922), up-tempo jazz dance song, written by Armand J. Piron
Went to a dance with my sister Kate
Everyone there said she danced so great.
I realized a thing or two
Then I got wise to something new.
I looked at Kate, she was in a trance
And then I knew it was in her dance.
All the boys are going wild
Just over Katie’s dancing style
[Chorus]
I wish I could shimmy like my sister Kate
Shimmies like jelly on the plate
My mother wanted to know last night
Why all the boys treat sister Kate so nice
All the boys in the neighborhood
Know she can shimmy and it’s understood
I may be late, but I’ll be up to date
When I can shimmy like my sister Kate
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
I wish I could shimmy like my sister Kate
She shimmies like the jelly on the plate
My mother wanted to know last night
Why all the boys treat sister Kate so nice
All the boys in the neighborhood
Know she can shimmy and it’s understood
I may be late, but I’ll be up to date
When I can shimmy like my sister Kate
I mean, shimmy like my sister Kate
Media Performances
- The song was performed by Betty Grable in Wabash Avenue.
- A clip of that performance is in The Girl Can’t Help It.
- Performed in episode of the Carol Burnett Show (Episode 7.6).
- Performed in an episode of All in the Family. Edith and Stephanie plan to sing the song for a talent show
