[1] The song is sung by the character of Marcellus Washburn, a friend of con man "Professor" Harold Hill.
It occurs in act 2 of the play during the dance committee's rehearsal which the town kids interrupt.
Neither the song's lyrics nor the surrounding dialogue explain the meaning of the term "shipoopi", which Wilson invented for the song and acts as a term of endearment.
In the original 1957 Broadway production, the song was performed by actor Iggie Wolfington, who portrayed Marcellus Washburn.
In the 1962 film version of The Music Man, Marcellus is played by Buddy Hackett.