"I'm Just Wild About Harry" was the most popular number of the show "Shuffle Along," which was the first financially successful Broadway play to have African-American writers and an all African-American cast. The song broke what had been a taboo against musical and stage depictions of romantic love between African-Americans. Originally written as a waltz, Blake rewrote the number as a foxtrot at the singer's request. The result was a simple, direct, joyous, and infectious tune enhanced onstage by improvisational dancing. In 1948 Harry S. Truman selected "I'm Just Wild About Harry" as his campaign song for the United States presidential election of 1948 and its success in politics led to a popular revival.
"I'm Just Wild About Harry" was the most popular number of the show "Shuffle Along," which was the first financially successful Broadway play to have African-American writers and an all African-American cast. The song broke what had been a taboo against musical and stage depictions of romantic love between African-Americans. Originally written as a waltz, Blake rewrote the number as a foxtrot at the singer's request. The result was a simple, direct, joyous, and infectious tune enhanced onstage by improvisational dancing. In 1948 Harry S. Truman selected "I'm Just Wild About Harry" as his campaign song for the United States presidential election of 1948 and its success in politics led to a popular revival.