The Three Flames

“Open the Door, Richard” began as a Vaudeville routine and had been recorded by Jack McVea, Count Basie and Dusty Fletcher before The Three Flames recorded it in 1947. It was their only hit, reaching the Billboard Best Seller chart on February 14, 1947. Their version lasted three weeks on the chart, peaking at number four. The song has had a lasting impact on American culture, with references popping up in everything from Looney Tunes cartoons to protests during the Civil Rights era. (See the Wikipedia article for details.) A Wikipedia entry can make a song seem too stuffy, too good for you, like a cup of broccoli. But “Open the Door, Richard” is a bowl of ice cream. Take a listen.