Bing recorded Three Little Words with Harry Barris and Al Rinker -- the Rhythm Boys -- 26 August 1930 accompanied by the Duke Ellington Orchestra. This was the next-to-last recording Bing would make as one of the Rhythm Boys before committing to a solo career. The Victor record would be the first #1 hit for Duke Ellington. The Duke's orchestra also performed the song in the movie "Check and Double Check," an Amos 'n' Andy vehicle. The original plan was to have members of the Ellington orchestra sing Three Little Words in the film, but, instead, the Rhythm Boys voices were used as band members lip-synched the words. Not only did the Rhythm Boys provide the vocals, as was their habit they also provided vocal instrumentation. The "three little words" were "I love you."
Three little words
Oh what I give for that wonderful phrase
to hear those 3 little words
that's all I live for the rest of my days
And what i feel in my heart they tell sincerely
No other words can tell it half so clearly
Three little words, eight little letters
Which simply mean "I love you."