The song was introduced by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1920 as Victor 78, 18717-A, in a medley paired with "Singin' the Blues".

[2][3] Other popular versions in 1920-1921 were by Gene Rodemich; Eddie Cantor; Ted Lewis; and Frank Crumit.

[5] The song has appeared in the movies Stella Dallas (1937), Margie (1946), The Eddie Cantor Story (1953) and The Drowning Pool (1975).

[6] The song was the Preston North End unofficial club anthem during 1950s and played at Sir Tom Finney's funeral in 2014.

Among the people who have recorded the tune are Ray Barretto, Bix Beiderbecke, Cab Calloway, Bing Crosby,[7] Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Mercer, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Frank Crumit, Erroll Garner, Al Hirt,[8] Claude Hopkins, Ted Lewis, Jimmie Lunceford, Jim Reeves, Shelly Manne, Oscar Peterson, Benny Goodman, André Ekyan (with Django Reinhardt), Don Redman, Fats Domino, Charlie Shavers, Jimmy Smith, Jo Stafford, Joe Venuti, Jorgen Ingmann, and Slim Whitman.