The Andrews Sisters unaware either of the copyright issue or of the implications of the lyrics. An ad in the 1951 "Radio Annual" showed photos of the Andrews as children, as contemporary singers, and as old women in the then-future year of 1975; the act would not make it that long. In the 1950s, Patty Andrews decided to break away from the act to be a soloist. She had married the trio's pianist, Walter Weschler, who became the group's manager and demanded more money for Patty. When Maxene and LaVerne learned of Patty's decision from newspaper gossip columns rather than from their own
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (with Anyone Else but Me) the "Billboard" charts and was ranked as the nation's twelfth best-selling recording of the year. In May the song was featured in the film "Private Buckaroo" as a performance by the Andrews Sisters with the Harry James orchestra and featuring a tap dancing routine by The Jivin' Jacks and Jills. This scene is often considered one of the most memorable of the film. The Andrews Sisters then released the song on Decca Records. (In a 1971 interview, Patty Andrews reported that this was their most requested song.) Many other artists released records of the song that year, including Kay Kyser.