the club had provided for music was a lone pianist who had no idea what kind of piece might accompany such an exotic dance. Bloom thought a moment, hummed a tune, then plinked it out on the keyboard one note at a time: Over the next century this tune and its variations would be deployed in a succession of mostly cheesy movies, typically as an accompaniment to the sinuous emergence of a cobra from a basket. It would also drive the schoolyard lyric, "And they wear no pants in the southern part of France." Bloom regretted his failure to copyright the tune. The royalties would have run into the millions.
In the story, a club offered little in terms of musical accompaniment for a unique dance, featuring only a pianist who struggled to fit the atmosphere. Bloom, in response to this challenge, composed a tune on the spot by humming and playing it on the piano, unaware of its future impact. This catchy melody would later be featured in numerous films, often associated with dramatic snake charmer scenes.
Over time, the tune became synonymous with playful schoolyard lyrics that highlighted its popularity. Bloom later lamented missing the opportunity to copyright his creation, realizing it could have earned him substantial royalties. His spontaneous composition turned into a cultural hallmark, illustrating how creativity can unintentionally shape cultural references.
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Other quotes in The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
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