Written in 1927 by Mort Dixon (lyrics) and Harry M. Woods (music),the song became a success that same year with the release of recordings by Nick Lucas, Ben Bernie, and Jean Goldkette.
During modern times the song is perhaps most associated withMerrie Melodies cartoons, as it was used in several of them, and a common tune played by the string bands in Philadelphia'sMummers Parade. TheSons of Ben, the official supporters' group ofMajor League Soccer'sPhiladelphia Union, have adopted the song as one of their chants, singing at every home match at the 20 minute, ten second mark, symbolic as the founding year of the Union.
TheUCLA Band has played an arrangement of this tune since 1954, and uses the chorus as the second part ofRover, the Bruin victory song. Similar lyrics have been used for two other songs.
"My Dead Dog Rover" by Hank Stu Dave and Hank (Hank Landsberg & Dave Whited) from 1977, which is featured in theDr. Demento 25th Anniversary Collection - The parody version "I'm Looking Over My Dead Dog Rover" was played onDr. Demento's show for a time.[2]
"I'm Lookin' Over My Dead Dog Rover" by Kevin Gershon from 1973 and played onKMET FM in Los Angeles.
In 1948,Al "Jazzbo" Collins, a popular Salt Lake City disk jockey, is credited with popularizing Art Mooney's version of the song after he pulled a stunt playing the song repeatedly for hours on end. Some sources state 3 1/2 hours, other say it was 24 hours. For 120 minutes Mooney’s record played on while telephone calls were received from listeners who added insult to Collins’ injury by praising him "for playing something good for a change".[3][4][5][6]
Bugs Bunny sang this song in two different shorts. InOperation: Rabbit, he sang, "I'm lookin' over a three-leaf clover that I overlooked be-three". InBackwoods Bunny, as part of arunning gag at the end of the short, he sings "I'm lookin' over a four (BANG!) leaf clover that I overlooked before... (BANG!) fore... (BANG!) fore... (BANG!) fore... (BANG!)"Tweety also briefly sang this song in the beginning ofHome, Tweet Home while taking a bath.
Wayne Newton released the song with "Dream Baby" as a single in early 1964. Whilst theA-Side, "Dream Baby", didn't chart, "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover"bubbled under theBillboardHot 100, peaking at No. 23.[7]
