The Laughing Policeman is a music hall song by Charles Jolly, the pseudonym
of Charles Penrose. In 1922, Penrose made the first recording of this
song, (Columbia Records FB 1184). The composition of the song is
officially credited to his wife Mabel under the pseudonym "Billie Grey",
however the music and melody are taken from The Laughing Song by George
W. Johnson which was recorded in approximately 1901.
of Charles Penrose. In 1922, Penrose made the first recording of this
song, (Columbia Records FB 1184). The composition of the song is
officially credited to his wife Mabel under the pseudonym "Billie Grey",
however the music and melody are taken from The Laughing Song by George
W. Johnson which was recorded in approximately 1901.
The Penroses wrote
numerous other laughing songs (The Laughing Major, Curate,
Steeplechaser, Typist, Lover, etc), but only The Laughing Policeman is
remembered today, having sold over a million records. Its popularity
continued into the 1970s, as it was a frequently-requested song on the
BBC Radio 1 show Junior Choice.
numerous other laughing songs (The Laughing Major, Curate,
Steeplechaser, Typist, Lover, etc), but only The Laughing Policeman is
remembered today, having sold over a million records. Its popularity
continued into the 1970s, as it was a frequently-requested song on the
BBC Radio 1 show Junior Choice.
