Its original title was "Tico-Tico no farelo" ("sparrow in the bran"), but since Brazilian guitarist Américo Jacomino "Canhoto" (1889–1928) had a work with the same title,[1] Abreu's work was given its present name in 1931, and sometime afterward Aloysio de Oliveira wrote the original Portuguese lyrics.
Outside Brazil, the song reached its peak popularity in the 1940s, with successful recordings by Ethel Smith, The Andrews Sisters (with English-language lyrics by Ervin Drake), Carmen Miranda and others.
[2] Ethel Smith performed it on the Hammond organ in the MGM film Bathing Beauty (1944), after which her recording reached the U.S. pop charts in November 1944, peaked at No.
In the Mama's Family season three episode "An Ill Wind", an intoxicated Iola briefly sings the song's chorus before passing out onto a bed.
In the Narcos: Mexico season one episode "El Padrino", the orchestral version of the song is played by a band during a reception.
This song was remixed with a baile funk melody during the opening of Brazilian pop singer Anitta's set for Rock in Rio Lisboa 2018.
[citation needed] The title phrase also features in the lyrics to the song "O Pato" made famous by João Gilberto.
Mas por favor tira esse bicho do celeiro, porque ele acaba comendo o fubá inteiro.
Oh-oh, I hear my little tico-tico calling, Because the time is right and shades of night are falling.