It was later recorded by jazz and jazz influenced artists such as The California Ramblers (their version was very popular in 1924),[2]Louis Armstrong (recorded March 9, 1931 for Okeh Records, catalog No. 41486),[3]Ella Fitzgerald (recorded November 19, 1936 for Decca Records - catalog. No. 1062),[4]Benny Goodman, Harry James, and Frankie Laine (1947 and 1957 - the 1947 version reached No. 9 in the Billboard charts),[5] usually without the sectional verse that introduces the song's narrator.
Ry Cooder recorded the song complete with introduction in 1978 (see below).
Spanish vocal quartet Los Rosillo, recorded a Spanish version, with the original spoken intro, in their debut album in 1988.
Louis Armstrong version
The song was performed in a film short A Rhapsody in Black and Blue by Armstrong. The 1931 recording by Armstrong with his Sebastian New Cotton Club Orchestra is a subset of the complete lyric of the 1910 version and the expanded later version, with added scat singing and long instrumental ending:
[Instrumental opening ~35 sec.]
Oh chocolate drop, that’s me
’Cause, my hair is curly
Just because my teeth are pearly
Just because I always wear a smile
Like to dress up in the latest style
’Cause I’m glad I’m livin’
Take troubles all with a smile
Just because my color's shady
Makes no difference, baby
That’s why they call me "Shine"
[repeat words with scat and straight jazz instrumental ~2 min.]
SHINE (That's Why They Call Me Shine)
(Cecil Mack, Lew Brown)
Ry Cooder version with original introduction
On his 1978 album Jazz, Ry Cooder performed the song in a "52nd Street" small band setting, with the introductory verse that explains what the song is all about. He noted that it had been written in 1910 near the end of the "Coon song era", and described it as a unique comment on the black face sensibilities of that genre.
INTRODUCTION:
When I was born they christened me plain Samuel Johnson Brown
But I hadn't grown so very big, 'fore some folks in this town
Had changed it 'round to "Sambo"; I was "Rastus" to a few
Then "Chocolate Drop" was added by some others that I knew
And then to cap the climax, I was strolling down the line
When someone shouted, "Fellas, hey! Come on and pipe the shine!"
But I don't care a bit. Here's how I figure it:
Well, just because my hair is curly
And just because my teeth are pearly
Just because I always wear a smile
Likes to dress up in the latest style*
Just because I'm glad I'm livin'
Take trouble smilin', never whine
Just because my color's shady
Slightly different maybe
That's why they call me shine.
ALTERNATIVE LINE:
Wear my jeans like a man of means (he always dresses in the latest style).
Also included in Ken Burns: A Jazz Collection
Documentary and three disc related collection music album