Sunday morning music – the nonsense version

On a whim, I decided to have some musical fun this morning.

Last month I posted a number of songs by Albert Hammond, including the ‘one hit wonder’ Gimme Dat Ding, performed by The Pipkins.  One comment noted, “Oh great. Now that last tune is stuck in my head.”  Yes, it is sort of that way, isn’t it?

It’s far from alone as a ‘nonsense’ song that climbed the hit parade.

Britain has a long history of such songs.  Here, from 1956, is one from the immortal Goon Show, a long-running comedy series (and a lifetime favorite of mine).  Of course, it’s the Ying Tong Song.

America is no slouch in the nonsense song department, either.  Here’s a 1958 hit, My Friend the Witchdoctor, performed by ‘David Seville‘ (in reality Ross Bagdasarian Sr.).

From the same year, here’s Sheb Wooley performing The Purple People Eater.

Ten years later, Mah Nà Mah Nà debuted in an Italian film, but won greater fame when the Muppets released their first version (one of several they would perform).

And, to close, let’s have one from the new millennium:  the Crazy Frog Song.

There . . . I daresay that combination has thoroughly discombobulated your Sunday morning!

Peter

15 comments

  1. I find songs like these to be wonderful for long car trips with the kids. The wife, well, she's not a fan.

    The Crazy Frog song was a hit when we were in Ireland for our honeymoon, and was overplayed to an extent I found breathtaking. To this day, it only takes the first few seconds of it to make Irish Woman's eye twitch.

  2. The Goons are great to listen to on long runs. I used to have a lot of them in cassette. I have found them on cd and that the shows are available on Audible.com.

  3. Two words: Dr. Demento. Some great collections of these tunes, along with many other wonders of the musical world, like "Da Yoopers", Tom Lehrer, and Weird Al Yankovich.

  4. It's not insane like "Gimme Dat Ding," but Hammond wrote and performed a fine little novelty song called "I'm a Train," which I'm not even sure charted but has always been a favorite of mine. Fun, high-energy tribute to the vanishing railroad.

  5. Martian Hop
    Ahab The Arab
    Gitarzan
    Dinner With Drac
    Monster Mash
    They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha-Ha
    The Ballad Of Irving
    Welfare Cadillac
    All-American Boy
    Maxwell's Silver Hammer
    I'm Gonna Buy Me A Dog
    Long Tall Texan
    The Little Space Girl
    Snoopy vs. The Red Baron
    …to name but a few more …

  6. How could you forget Spiting Image and the chicken song:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UEXn2MZ3vs

    Or the iconic Star Trekkin; by The Firm:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCARADb9asE

    And a ballad of unrequited love by a young man grieveing over his lost love, Jilted John by Jilted John:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNyhZiWiYYM

    Or if that is a bit racy, how about Ian Dury and Hit me with your rhythm stick:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WGVgfjnLqc

    And to chill out somewhat, Ernie, the fastest milkman in the west

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1xvyTdBZI

    And for the country boys, The Wurzels and I've got a brand new combine harvester:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btEpF334Rtc

    (Dear God! If that's Britains finest … !)

    Phil B

  7. The Goons are great to listen to on long runs. I used to have a lot of them in cassette. I have found them on cd and that the shows are available on Audible.com.

  8. What? No Austin Lounge Lizards, with classics such as "Hey Little Minivan" and "99 Hillbillies in a Haunted House" [not suitable for children or the easily offended] or "Rasputin's HMO"? And one I heard only once, probably for good reason, that was a recitation of things you see on a road trip. It starts something like "Farm house, silo, cow, cow" and goes from there. I don't recall the artist.

    LittleRed1

  9. Johnny Cash's I'm Being Swallowed By a Boa Constrictor or any of his recordings from Everybody Loves a Nut. We played that album until we wore it out.

  10. I'm a Nut (by Leroy Pullins)
    Please Mr. Custer
    Stan Freeburg's records from the 1950s
    Spike Jones and His City Slickers
    Skinny Legs and All
    Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes Love It)
    There Is Something On Your Mind
    Dang Me
    One Piece At A Time
    The Streak
    Hello Hello
    The Name Game
    …to name just a few more …

Leave a Reply to Tempest01 Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *