Willie G. Moseley Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 I suspect the type of music noted in the title of this thread is either extinct or critically endangered, due to political correctness or worse sanctimony; i.e., you prolly won't hear 'em on contemporary radio because a lotta folks, including programmers, prolly tend to tread lightly theses days when it comes to satire. Time was, however, some of the tunes in this limited genre were memorable and/or hilarious (and relatively harmless, for that matter). They had then-contemporary lyrics sometimes recorded over a classic tune. Coupla examples include NRBQ's only hit "Get That Gasoline Blues", released during the gas crisis of the mid-'70s. Musically, it was based on "Rock Around the Clock" and "At The Hop" and was also noteworthy for its legitimate use of "ass" in the lyrics. There was also 1980's "Bomb Iran" by NOLA retro-greasers Vince Vance and the Valiants, set to the tune of "Barbara Ann." There were other versions but this one was the most popular. (TANGENT: Live, Vince Vance & Valiants kicked Sha Na Na's collective bonhunkus all the way back to Columbia. The set usually included Vince heaving a hocker onstage....and I saw 'em in '73, before punk rock came along) Obviously, this inquiry may evolve into a commentary so thanks in advance for any input. P.S.: Unsure if Tom Lehrer ought to be on this list or not...YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
django49 Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 How many folks never got the meaning of "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" by Peter, Paul and Mary? And could this one get recorded, let alone airplay, today? Or this one...... Many years ago, some folks in Beverly Hills named Bruce (some heavy hitters in the business/social community, including Bruce Jenner before YOU KNOW WHAT happened) had a theme party based upon the cliche of being named Bruce. One (who shall otherwise remain unidentified) mentioned it ahead of time and I volunteered that I had an original 45. So, this was put on a cassette tape and was reportedly the centerpiece of their little soiree. Jimmy Dean and Lorne Green never saw these coming. And I am still non-PC after all these years...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killerteddybear Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Ray Stevens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BubbaVO Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stobro Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Just about everything Weird Al ever did might qualify, if you're allowing parody songs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killerteddybear Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 1 hour ago, BubbaVO said: From the guy that brought us "Do You Think I'm Disco"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialk Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Might not be earth-shaking, but it works for me: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Prof Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 IMHO, the last verse of David Alan Coe's recording of Steve Goodman's "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" qualifies if we're allowing originals. Hell, Goodman has several that qualify. To wit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Would the response songs of the 40s and 50s count? They may not be satirical, but there was a either humor or cleverness involved. It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels made Kitty Wells a big star, and the song was putting forth a view that was serious. One may not have had to know the song was directed at the lyrics of another song to enjoy it, but for those who knew what it was about they might have had a brief chuckle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
django49 Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 27 minutes ago, Steve Haynie said: Would the response songs of the 40s and 50s count? They may not be satirical, but there was a either humor or cleverness involved. It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels made Kitty Wells a big star, and the song was putting forth a view that was serious. One may not have had to know the song was directed at the lyrics of another song to enjoy it, but for those who knew what it was about they might have had a brief chuckle. Memories of goofy C&W response songs......I believe it was Theresa Brewer (My dad's favorite) that did one to Roger Miller's "Dang Me"...... "Durn ya durn ya, they oughta take a chair and burn you......." IIRC, when asked why she did not make it "Dang ya, dang ya, they oughta take a rope and hang ya" she replied......"Because I don't believe in swearing". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beezerboy Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 I Can't Drive 55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveH Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 This is one of my favs... Jackyl, in response to the 911 attacks: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudshark Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudshark Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killerteddybear Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 The master... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Does this count? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 On 3/6/2021 at 5:39 PM, django49 said: Memories of goofy C&W response songs......I believe it was Theresa Brewer (My dad's favorite) that did one to Roger Miller's "Dang Me"...... "Durn ya durn ya, they oughta take a chair and burn you......." IIRC, when asked why she did not make it "Dang ya, dang ya, they oughta take a rope and hang ya" she replied......"Because I don't believe in swearing". She shoulda done “Bang Me”.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menehune Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Not top hit satirical songs, but top-drawer musical satire. The gist of the parody arrives at the end. My absolute favorite as a kid, and still my favorite: Leopold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommy p Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 I think I remember from the 70's one called Mr. Jaws and another called Mr. President where they faked a reporter asking questions and then used lines from hits of the day as their answers. Does that ring a bell for anybody else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudshark Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 2 hours ago, tommy p said: I think I remember from the 70's one called Mr. Jaws and another called Mr. President where they faked a reporter asking questions and then used lines from hits of the day as their answers. Does that ring a bell for anybody else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenmindbeginner Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 This whole concept is whacky Pretty satirical hit song if you ask me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fractal Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 On 3/6/2021 at 11:20 AM, django49 said: How many folks never got the meaning of "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" by Peter, Paul and Mary? And could this one get recorded, let alone airplay, today? Or this one...... Many years ago, some folks in Beverly Hills named Bruce (some heavy hitters in the business/social community, including Bruce Jenner before YOU KNOW WHAT happened) had a theme party based upon the cliche of being named Bruce. One (who shall otherwise remain unidentified) mentioned it ahead of time and I volunteered that I had an original 45. So, this was put on a cassette tape and was reportedly the centerpiece of their little soiree. Jimmy Dean and Lorne Green never saw these coming. And I am still non-PC after all these years...... How have I never heard this song before? This song may need to work its way into a Famous Volcanoes backyard set, but never in a public venue....or perhaps a 4-3-2-1 Club command performance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 And of course my middle name is Eugene, so I'll put this disco parody here, too. Ace is the man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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