What is "zip-a-dee-doo-dah"

a. Characteristic of such a feeling. interj. An exclamation of happiness.

"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" is a song composed by Allie Wrubel with lyrics by Ray Gilbert from the Disney 1946 live action and animated movie Song of the South, sung by James Baskett. For "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah", the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and was the second in a long line of Disney songs to win this award, after " When You Wish upon a Star" from Pinocchio (1940). In 2004 it finished at number 47 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema.

For many years the song was part of an opening theme medley for the Wonderful World of Disney television program and it has often been used in other TV and video productions by the studio. It is one of many popular songs that features a bluebird ("Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder"), epitomized by the " Bluebird of Happiness," as a symbol of cheer.

The song is influenced from the chorus of the pre- Civil War folk song " Zip Coon", a " Turkey in the Straw" variation: "Zip a duden duden duden zip a duden day". The term "Zip Coon" is now considered racist as it plays on a derogatory slang term for African Americans.