Years ago, I loved when morning rush hour radio shows – usually called the “Morning Zoo” – did novelty songs, usually about current events and people in the news, sometimes which even turned into actual records. I may still have a few 45s (remember those?) stuck away.
There was one about the Rajneeshees’ main spokeswoman, a shrill lady named Ma Anand Sheela, and she inspired “Shut Up Sheela” (to the tune of Tommy Roe’s “Sheila.”)
There was also one I memorized called “We Want Lava” that came out after Mt. St. Helens started to rumble but before the big May 1980 eruption (had quite the festive, jazzy melody – but be glad I’m not singing it for you;-)
We want lava, we want lava
Is that too much to ask?
What kind of volcano only burps up gas?
You know we’re not asking for Krakatoa
Even thought it would be nice
What kind of volcano
Throws up five-foot blocks of ice?
Etc.
So I like to do the same thing some time. And one came to mind this afternoon, after the Belmont Stakes brought the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. So here’s a smidge, feel free to continue it if you know the tune;-)
(To the tune of ‘American Woman’ by Guess Who)
American Pharoah
Won the Triple Crown
American Pharoah
Never let me down
Don’t go thinking he’s got no class
Or that your horse is gonna pass
He’s got more important things to do
Than hang way back in the pack with you
Now Pharoah, what a mighty steed
American Pharoah, got it yes indeed
(And I also recently thought of one about an event many look back on and lament in Bend’s history about 15 years ago, the demolition of the Brooks-Scanlon Crane Shed – I was there, and was covering all the soap-opera drama as the owners tried to get the county planners to let them do what they wanted.)
(To the tune of ‘The Night They Drove Ol’ Dixie Down,’ by Joan Baez)
The night they tore the Crane Shed down
And all the people were cringin’
The night they tore the Crane Shed down
And many hands were wringin’,
They said
No, no no no, no!
No no no no, no no no no…
(Etc.)
Oh and then there’s some old stand-up comedian who used to take parts of well-known songs over the years and give them a twist, and a punch line.
Like
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
(Get it? They are very hot, so if you put it in your pocket, well, aaaahhhh!;-)
Or (imagine the guy marching)
76 trombones led the big parade
There was nobody else…
(March a few more steps in silence to get the point across)
Or
Let a smile be your umbrella
And you’re bound to get all wet
Or
I’m looking over, a four-leaf clover
Because they are so darn small!
Okay, this has descended into juvenile.. okay, maybe it’s all juvenile.
We all have our coping mechanisms, right?;-)
Leave it to Barney 