“The Yama Yama Man”  The Three Twins (1909)

"The Yama Yama Man" was one of the most iconic songs written by Karl Hoschna and Collin Davis. Karl provided the music, and Collin provided the lyrics for the Broadway show The Three Twins, featured in 1909. Gus Sohlke, the stage director, passed by a toy store and saw a doll built out of triangles. This style has never been used in the theater, but we decided to have a triangular man chorus to replace the original chorus, "pajama man." That same night, all three of them collaborated on what to call the song. Gus kept repeating the song's name and came up with yama yama. Then, it became the yama yama man. After finding the song's name, Collin and Karl began creating the soon-popular songs. 

When the song was being recorded, they brought on Ada Jones, who registered with Victor Light Opera Company, the vocal group for the music. The song was number one for five weeks in 1909 and was the most popular song of Ada Jones's career. They changed lyrics two and three when recording, making the second verse more bawdy. 

In 1912, Stanley Kirkby recorded a similar song with a banjo. (The Yama Yama Man - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia.) Bessie McCoy provided an iconic performance key to the song's popularity. Bessie's knack for dancing the songs became so effective that the audience would fill in the words as she danced in pantomime to the audience. (The Yama Yama Man - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia). Her performance became popular and was one of the most iconic musicals of that time.

Looking at the poster design you can see the use of both Art Nouveau and Ukiyo-e styles.  Art Nouveau movement was based on organic lines, patterns, and earthy colors. The way that the children at the top repeat in a pattern as is represented through Art Nouveau. The poster is flatter and more unshaded with its colors with the lady at the bottom is much more Ukiyo-e style.  Looking at this piece it almost looks like a transition into Art Nouveau, where it is not fully one style or the other but a combination. you can also notice that the print looks like a woodblock print rather than printed from a press. The use of bold and dark colors is closely related to Ukiyo-e but, with the organic lines and abstract feel to the women at the bottom with the moon directly behind her head feels more Art Nouveau.  With Art Nouveau more popular during that time it is interesting to see a piece that has incorporated a popular style with an older style.