Novelty Songs
The first novelty song I recall was Phil Harris' “The Thing.” The song is about a fellow who discovers a “boom, boom, boom” on the beach. The “boom, boom, boom” is actually played on drums. We never learned what the “boom, boom, boom” was, but as a kid, I thought about it a lot.
Of course, novelty songs did not begin with my discovery of them. On our Edison record player there is an old 78 with the title of “Who Dat Knocking at My Door?,” an amusing little duo obviously sung in blackface.
About the same time as “The Thing,” I was enjoying the song “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” also by Phil Harris.
As a kid these were funny. I laughed a lot. As I've mentioned in other essays, I don't have a normal relationship to music. My tastes run more to the clicks in broken records and Gregorian chants. Go figure.
Novelty songs got my attention early on. “The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley is an early favorite. “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles, “Charlie Brown” by the Coasters, “Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt, and “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” by Alan Sherman.
Later I was entertained by Steve Martin's “King Tut,” and “Eat It” by “Weird Al” Yankovic.
“Weird Al” is one of the kings of the novelty songs, and, yes, Al is weird, but Al is weird only because he is normal.
In my mind the all time king of novelty songs is Ray Stevens. “The Streak” is my earliest example I recall.
Hello, everyone, this is your action news reporter
With all the news that is news
Across the nation
On the scene at the supermarket
There seems to have been some disturbance here
Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened?
Yeah, I did
I's standin' over there by the tomaters
And here he come
Running through the pole beans
Through the fruits and vegetables
Nekkid as a jay bird
And I hollered over t' Ethel
I said, "Don't look, Ethel!"
But it's too late
She'd already been incensed.
Boogity, boogity
(There he goes)
Boogity, boogity
(And he ain't wearin' no clothes)
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
(Boogity, boogity)
Fastest thing on two feet
(Boogity, boogity)
He's just as proud as he can be
Of his anatomy
He goin' give us a peek
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
(Boogity, boogity)
He likes to show off his physique
(Boogity, boogity)
If there's an audience to be found
He'll be streakin' around
Invitin' public critique
This is your action news reporter once again
And we're here at the gas station
Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened?
Yeah, I did
I's just in here gettin my tires checked
An' he just appeared out of the traffic
He come streakin' around the grease rack there
Didn't have nothin' on but a smile
I looked in there, and Ethel was gettin' her a cold drink
I hollered, "Don't look, Ethel!"
But it was too late
She'd already been mooned
Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers
Boogity, boogity
(He ain't lewd)
Boogity, boogity
(He's just in the mood to run in the nude)
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
(Boogity, boogity)
He likes to turn the other cheek
(Boogity, boogity)
He's always makin' the news
Wearin' just his tennis shoes
Guess you could call him unique
Once again, your action news reporter
In the booth at the gym
Covering the disturbance at the basketball playoff
Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened?
Yeah, I did
Half time, I's just goin' down thar to get Ethel a snow cone
And here he come, right out of the cheap seats, dribbling
Right down the middle of the court
Didn't have on nothing but his PF's.
Made a hook shot and got out through the concessions stands
I hollered up at Ethel
I said, "Don't look, Ethel!"
But it was too late.
She'd already got a free shot
Grandstandin', right there in front of the home team
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Here he comes again.
(Boogity, boogity)
Who's that with him?
The fastest thing on two feet
Ethel? Is that you, Ethel?
(Boogity, boogity)
What do you think you're doin'?
He's just as proud as he can be
You git your clothes on!
Of his anatomy
He's gonna give us a peek
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Ethel! Where you goin'?
(Boogity, boogity)
Ethel, you shameless hussy!
He likes to show off his physique
Say it isn't so, Ethel!
(Boogity, boogity)
If there's an audience to be found
He'll be streakin' around
Invitin' public critique
Ethelllllll!
Perhaps not on the same plane as Whitman, but on a plane to which I can relate. You're welcome to Whitman; I'll choose Stevens.
If you feel inclined to investigate novelty songs further, you might peruse the list below. Good luck.
1. They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa - Napoleon XIV
2. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers
3. Charlie Brown - The Coasters
4. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
5. Alley Oop - The Hollywood Argyles
6. Witch Doctor - David Seville
7. Open The Door, Richard - Dusty Fletcher
8. Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah - Allen Sherman
9. Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer - Elmo & Patsy
10. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor - Lonnie Donegan
11. Mr. Custer - Larry Verne
12. The Flying Saucer (Pts 1 & 2) - Buchanan & Goodman
13. King Tut - Steve Martin
14. Eat It - "Weird Al" Yankovic
15. The Streak - Ray Stevens
16. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - The Chipmunks
17. Disco Duck - Rick Dees and his Cast Of Idiots
18. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - Brian Hyland
19. Transfusion - Nervous Norvus
20. Ahab The Arab - Ray Stevens
21. Junk Food Junkie - Larry Groce
22. Time Warp (from Rocky Horror Picture Show) - Transylvanians
23. Along Came Jones - The Coasters
24. The Chanukah Song - Adam Sandler
25. Leader Of The Laundromat - The Detergents
26. Tip Toe Thru' The Tulips With Me - Tiny Tim
27. The Name Game - Shirley Ellis
28. Gitarzan - Ray Stevens
29. Snoopy vs. the Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen
30. Rubber Biscuit - The Chips
31. Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport - Rolf Harris
32. Fat - "Weird Al" Yankovic
33. Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces - Cheech & Chong
34. I Put A Spell On You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
35. My Ding-a-Ling - Chuck Berry
36. On Top Of Spaghetti - Tom Glazer & the Do Re Mi Childrens Choir
37. Dead Skunk - Loudon Wainwright III
38. White & Nerdy - "Weird Al" Yankovic
39. The Curley Shuffle - Jump In The Saddle Band
40. Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead - The Fifth Estate
41. Smells Like Nirvana - "Weird Al" Yankovic
42. Osama Yo' Mama - Ray Stevens
43. Valley Girl - Frank & Moon Unit Zappa
44. Another One Rides the Bus - "Weird Al" Yankovic
45. Beep Beep (The Little Nash Rambler) - The Playmates
46. Convoy - C.W. McCall
47. Dinner With Drac Part 1 - Zacherle
48. My Bologna - "Weird Al" Yankovic
49. Pac-Man Fever - Buckner & Garcia
50. Why Don't We Get Drunk - Jimmy Buffet
51. Shaddup You Face - Joe Dolce
52. The Twelve Days of Christmas - Bob and Doug McKenzie
53. My Girl Bill - Jim Stafford
54. Dancin' Fool - Frank Zappa
55. The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun - Julie Brown
56. Shriner's Convention - Ray Stevens
57. I'm My Own Grandpa - Lonzo & Oscar
58. St. George And The Dragonet - Stan Freberg
59. The Mississippi Squirrel Revival - Ray Stevens
60. The Mouse - Soupy Sales
61. Disco Sucks - Chuck Wagon & The Wheels
62. Fish Heads - Barnes & Barnes
63. Surfin' Bird - The Trashmen
64. I Lost On Jeopardy - "Weird Al" Yankovic
65. Lumberjack Song - Monty Python
66. Cows With Guns - Dana Lyons
67. Don't Eat the Yellow Snow - Frank Zappa
68. Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat - Paul Evans & The Curls
69. Like A Surgeon - "Weird Al" Yankovic
70. The Eggplant That Ate Chicago - Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band
71. Santa Claus and His Old Lady - Cheech & Chong
72. You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd - Roger Miller
73. Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies - "Weird Al" Yankovic
74. Stranded In The Jungle - The Cadets
75. Big Bruce - Steve Greenberg
76. I Love Rocky Road - "Weird Al" Yankovic
77. The Jolly Green Giant - The Kingsmen
78. Jingle Bells - Singing Dogs
79. Martian Hop - The Ran-Dells
80. Highly Illogical - Leonard Nimoy
81. Earache My Eye - Cheech & Chong
82. Star Trekkin' - The Firm
83. Barbie Girl - Aqua
84. Yogi - Ivy Three
85. Living With A Hernia - "Weird Al" Yankovic
86. Cause I'm A Blonde - Julie Brown
87. Gumball Wizard - Brad Stanfield
88. Hamster Love - Big Daddy
89. I Saw Elvis In A U.F.O. - Ray Stevens
90. Monster's Holiday - Bobby "Boris" Pickett
91. The Elements - Tom Lehrer
92. Telephone Man - Meri Wilson
93. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
94. Harry the Hairy Ape - Ray Stevens
95. Elvis Was A Narc - Pinkard & Bowden
96. Addicted To Spuds - "Weird Al" Yankovic
97. Mr. Jaws - Dickie Goodman
98. Troglodyte (Cave Man) - The Jimmy Castor Bunch
99. Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford
100. Rappin' Rodney - Rodney Dangerfield
101. Eat My Shorts - Rick Dees
102. Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) - Hombres
103. Dead Puppies - Ogden Edsl
104. Would Jesus Wear a Rolex - Ray Stevens
105. Spam - Monty Python's Flying Circus
106. The Twelve Pains Of Christmas - Bob Rivers
107. Halloween Dance - Reverend Horton Heat
108. He's My Blonde-Headed, Stompie Wompie, Real Gone Surfer Boy - Little Pattie
109. Who Are The Brain Police? - The Mothers of Invention
110. Gimme Dat Ding - The Pipkins
111. Shaving Cream - Benny Bell
112. White Trash Christmas - Bob Rivers
113. Little Old Man (Uptight-Everything's Alright) - Bill Cosby
114. The Nitty Gritty - Shirley Ellis
115. The Scotsman - Bryan Bowers
116. Yoda - "Weird Al" Yankovic
117. I'm A Nut - Leroy Pullins
118. Pencil Neck Geek - Fred Blassie
119. Polka Dot Undies - Bowser & Blue
120. Got A Match? - The Daddy-O's
121. Kill The Wabbit - Ozzy Fudd (Mark McCollum)
122. Eskimo - Corky & The Juice Pigs
123. Christmas at Ground Zero - "Weird Al" Yankovic
124. The Hunting Song - Tom Lehrer
125. I'm At Home Getting Hammered (While She's Out Getting Nailed) - Banjo & Sullivan
126. The Smoke Off - Shel Silverstein
127. Short Shorts - Royal Teens
128. My Boomerang Won't Come Back - Charlie Drake
129. I Want My Baby Back - Jimmy Cross
130. Car Phone - Sheeler & Sheeler
131. Stress - Jim's Big Ego
132. It's A Gas - Alfred E. Neuman
133. The Thing - Phil Harris
134. Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann
135. Comin' Back For More - C.W. McCall
136. Everything Reminds Me Of My Therapist - Nancy Tucker
137. Deteriorata - National Lampoon
138. I Wanna Be A Flintstone - The Screaming Blue Messiahs
139. Sensitive New Age Guys - Christine Lavin
140. Super Bowl Shuffle - Members of the Chicago Bears
141. Bras On 45 - Ivor Biggun & The D. Kups
142. Carrot Juice Is Murder - The Arrogant Worms
143. Butt Scootin' Boogie - Barry Martin
144. All Likkered Up - Roger Alan Wade
145. My Jeans Are Too Tight - Gerry House
146. In Heaven There Is No Beer - Clean Living
147. Hanukkah Rocks - Gefilte Joe & The Fish
148. I Farted on Santa's Lap (Now Christmas is Gonna Stink for Me) - The Little Stinker
149. The Ketchup Song - Las Ketchup
150. Who Put The Turtle In Myrtle's Girdle - Sid King And The Five Strings
enough