Rose Murphy (April 28, 1913 – November 16, 1989) was an American jazz pianist and singer, famous for the song "Busy Line" and her unique vocal style.
Described by AllMusic's Scott Yanow as having "a unique place in music history", Murphy was known as "the chee chee girl" because of her habit of singing "chee chee" in many of her numbers. She was also known as "the girl with the pale pink voice".
Murphy began her musical career in the late 1930's, playing intermission piano for such performers as Count Basie, and became popular in the United States and United Kingdom in the late 1940's. She is best known for her high-pitched singing style, which incorporated scat singing, giggling, and percussive sound effects. "Busy Line", one of her most well-known songs, made use of perhaps her most famous vocal sound effect: the 'brrp, brrrp' of a telephone ring. A version of the song by Peter Skellern was later used in 1990 by BT Cellnet in a television commercial which was such a success that RCA reissued the original recording. Princess Margaret became a fan after "Busy Line" became a hit in the United Kingdom. She attended Murphy's concerts in London, imitated her while playing the piano and sang "Busy Line" at parties.
1 A Little Bird Told Me 2:26
2 Baby, Baby 3:11
3 Pennies From Heaven [Previously Unissued] 2:28
4 You Were Meant For Me 2:23
5 Girls Were Made To Take Care Of Boys 3:09
6 Busy Line 2:45
7 Is I In Love ? I Is [Previously Unissued] 2:36
8 Gee, I Wonder What The Trouble Can Be 2:38
9 Honeysuckle Rose 2:53
10 Rosetta 2:46
11 You, Wonderful You 2:22
12 Hey ! Mama (He's Tryin' To Kiss Me) [Previously Unreleased] 2:24
13 If You Were Only Mine [Previously Unreleased] 2:24
14 Not Tonight [Previously Unreleased] 2:34
15 Is I In Love ? I Is [Previously Unissued] 2:10
16 Don't Stop 2:17
17 Don't Stop [Previously Unissued] 2:19
