Uploaded February 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Only, Only One
Words by Bud Green, music by James Monaco and Harry Warren
Performed by Nick Lucas, vocal with guitar
Recorded February 18, 1925
Brunswick 2846
Nick Lucas (1897 - 1982) was an entertainer billed as "The Crooning Troubadour", gained most fame singing Tiptoe Through the Tulips with Me" in early sound movie Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929). Soft, pleasant voice with self accompanied guitar. Began in vaudeville about 1917, continued many years off and on. Played clubs in New York, Chicago and other cities. Played banjo with Russo-Fio Rito Oriole Orchestra early 1920s. Played in London 1926. Substantial recordings beginning mid 1920s. Role in 1929 hit movie gave career new impetus for a while. In Broadway musical "Show Girl" (1929), movie "Show of Shows" (1929). Because of his record and vaudeville popularity, the demand for six-string guitars increased greatly. The Gibson Guitar Company produced the "Nick Lucas Special " from Lucas' own design which became a perennial favorite well in to the late 1930s. In 1930s Lucas settled in Hollywood, make film shorts and played clubs. Featured 100 consecutive weeks at El Capitan Theatre. Led dance band in 1934. Guest appearances on radio shows; regular on Al Pearce show, 1937. In west coast stage show Ken Murray's Blackouts on 1949. Inactive in 1950s and 1960s save for occasional appearances as single or on TV. Late 1960s, popular favorite Tiny Tim hit "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" revived some interest in Lucas. Semi-active in 1970s, mostly in clubs. Sang on soundtrack of 1974 film "The Great Gatsby."
The online discography (78discography(dot)com) lists the recording year as 1923, which is impossible based on the label and matrix number. It's not listed in Rust's Entertainment Discography, but should have been early 1925. In addition, the song wasn't published until 1924. This was one of the final acoustic recordings made by Nick Lucas prior to the introduction of Brunswick's Light-Ray electrical recording process later in 1925.
The Only, Only One
Words by Bud Green, music by James Monaco and Harry Warren
Performed by Nick Lucas, vocal with guitar
Recorded February 18, 1925
Brunswick 2846
Nick Lucas (1897 - 1982) was an entertainer billed as "The Crooning Troubadour", gained most fame singing Tiptoe Through the Tulips with Me" in early sound movie Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929). Soft, pleasant voice with self accompanied guitar. Began in vaudeville about 1917, continued many years off and on. Played clubs in New York, Chicago and other cities. Played banjo with Russo-Fio Rito Oriole Orchestra early 1920s. Played in London 1926. Substantial recordings beginning mid 1920s. Role in 1929 hit movie gave career new impetus for a while. In Broadway musical "Show Girl" (1929), movie "Show of Shows" (1929). Because of his record and vaudeville popularity, the demand for six-string guitars increased greatly. The Gibson Guitar Company produced the "Nick Lucas Special " from Lucas' own design which became a perennial favorite well in to the late 1930s. In 1930s Lucas settled in Hollywood, make film shorts and played clubs. Featured 100 consecutive weeks at El Capitan Theatre. Led dance band in 1934. Guest appearances on radio shows; regular on Al Pearce show, 1937. In west coast stage show Ken Murray's Blackouts on 1949. Inactive in 1950s and 1960s save for occasional appearances as single or on TV. Late 1960s, popular favorite Tiny Tim hit "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" revived some interest in Lucas. Semi-active in 1970s, mostly in clubs. Sang on soundtrack of 1974 film "The Great Gatsby."
The online discography (78discography(dot)com) lists the recording year as 1923, which is impossible based on the label and matrix number. It's not listed in Rust's Entertainment Discography, but should have been early 1925. In addition, the song wasn't published until 1924. This was one of the final acoustic recordings made by Nick Lucas prior to the introduction of Brunswick's Light-Ray electrical recording process later in 1925.
