Tenderloinz - Where's The Beef - 1984

Here's a little electro funk novelty from the 80's. Many who lived in the 80's will remember the wildly successful "Where's the beef" campaign from Wendy's. For those of you who missed it the basic idea was that they were selling the idea that their hamburgers had more beef and so this old lady would get a burger from some other place, look at the small patty and demand "where's the beef?" It was a cultural phenomenon that basically just got annoying. Anyways just like other crazy pop culture phenomenon's someone saw an opportunity to cash in with a novelty song and this here is the result. Borrowing from the up and coming genre of electro hip hop this tried to capitalize on a couple fads. The record is fun to listen to now for nostalgia more than anything.

Enjoy!

01 Where's The Beef.m4a
02 Take A Number.m4a

Allan Sherman - The Drinking Man's Diet b/w The Laarge Daark Aardvark Song 7" - 1965

I and I'm sure many others were first exposed to Allan Sherman through his two Camp Granada songs, "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" and the sequels. I heard the original song on the Dr. Demento show where it was a bit of a staple.

Since collecting records I've picked up a few of Allan Sherman's records. They are quite easy to find in thrift stores. He sold a lot of records and since they are comedy records of their time they end up being sent to the thrift stores instead of being handed down to new generations, much the way Barbra Streisand records litter the record bins of thrift store.


This the only single I have from Allan and both songs are of course very funny. "Drinking Man's Diet" doesn't even really feel too dated. I mean really, when has drinking and alcoholism gone out of style. Timeless.

Enjoy!

01 The Drinking Man's Diet.m4a
02 The Laarge Daark Aardvark Song.m4a

Oscar Brand - Bawdy Songs and Backroom Ballads Vol. 4 - 1951

Every once in a while, when sifting through bins of used records at thrift shops you come across old records that catered to adults back in the day. I've picked up a few here and there. I've got a couple Rusty Warren records that crack me up. Not because they are actually very funny even though they are supposed to be comedy records, but because they were considered risque at the time. They seem so tame by today's standards. Her use of the word Knockers over and over again isn't offensive anymore and now just seems silly.

Anyways, when I saw this record I figured I get some of the same. Songs that had once shocked, but now only illicit a little giggle at their innocence. What I have to report is that it starts of that way indeed, but as you get into the record, the songs do get kind of graphic and I think will still make your ears do a double take. Oscar Brand's bawdy folk songs at least to me still today seem racy for their subject matter. I don't want to go into all the detail, but I'll just say that there are a few songs on hear that I don't think I need to listen to a second time. Still some of them are still funny and have that aura of just being slightly naughty. What makes those songs so appealing is the sort of absurdity of a grown man singing them. They really sound like the songs boys would make up on the school yard in grade school. That should give you an idea of the sort of high brow humor involved here.

Enjoy!

01 Cindy.m4a
02 Tom Bolynn.m4a
03 Plymouth Town.m4a
04 Two Maidens.m4a
05 Basket Of Oysters.m4a
06 Green Grow The Rashes.m4a
07 The Cuckoo's Nest.m4a
08 Sweet Violets.m4a
09 The Money Rolls In.m4a
10 I Used To Work In Chicago.m4a
11 The Old Sea Chest.m4a
12 The Wayward Boy.m4a
13 Don't Call Me.m4a
14 Roll Me Over.m4a

Oscar Brand - Side 1.zip
Oscar Brand - Side 2.zip

Miss Piggy's Aerobique Exercise Workout Album - 1982

Before even posting this I’ve had a good reaction to this record. I was playing a few tracks for someone at work and that person mentioned it to someone else. That person was very excited to hear the record because she listened to it as a little girl. It brought back from good memories for her.

I have no memory of this record. I just got it within the last year and I really only listened to it a few months ago when I digitized it. I’m hoping though that this posting will bring back good memories for other people out there.

The record is of course Frank Oz as Miss Piggy riding the wave of aerobatic records and videos from the 80’s. The twist here is more than just a muppet singing the songs. The extra twist is that it is Miss Piggy and all the exercises she sings about aren’t really exercises. They are more like things for lazy people and people who like to eat. Then add on to that Miss Piggy’s faux French and you’ve got a pretty fun record. Sure you’re not going to listen to this every day, but it will bring a smile to your face.

Enjoy!

01 Stereau Warmup.m4a
02 Snackcercise.m4a
03 Lift The One You Love.m4a
04 Exercise Your Rights.m4a
05 Dream Dancin'.m4a
06 La Vie Aerobique.m4a
07 Sit Down.m4a
08 Breathe Easy.m4a
09 A Little Chin Music.m4a
10 Hairobiques Made Simple.m4a
11 Au Revoir.m4a

Miss Piggy.zip

The Clay House Inn, Presents The Real Thing Steel Band - 1970

This one is a bit of an oddity. This is a steel drum band that seems to have been sponsored by Coca Cola. As part of that sponsoring they played the Coca Cola theme and by the look of the cover, they wore Coca Cola uniforms. Strange to say the least.

To me the best thing on the record is "The Real Thing Theme". It is short and recognizable. It also seems to really work on steel drums.

The other tracks are hit and miss. Some are interesting curiosities like the "Hallelujah Chorus". Kind of strange hearing a classical song done on a group of steel drums. While not all the tracks work and some even go on too long and become a little annoying, you have to appreciate the effort. I mean some of this music was never intended to be played this way and it seems like it would have taken a lot of effort to arrange these for this band.

Enjoy!

01 The Real Thing Theme.m4a
02 Poet & Peasants.m4a
03 Hallelujah Chorus.m4a
04 Somewhere My Love.m4a
05 Mas In Madison Square Garden.m4a
06 Voices Of Spring.m4a
07 Yellow Bird.m4a
08 Holly City.m4a
09 Siboney.m4a
10 Extro Real Thing.m4a

The Clay House Inn, Presents The Real Thing Steel Band - Side 1.zip
The Clay House Inn, Presents The Real Thing Steel Band - Side 2.zip

Dr. Hook - You Make My Pants Want to Get Up And Dance/Sharing The Night Together 7"

I'm a sucker for an interesting song title. Ones with stupidly long names are especially intriguing and irresistible to me. Such is the case with "You Make My Pants Want To Get Up And Dance". Add to that the title just sounds funny and maybe even slightly naughty and I had to buy this record.

The song is full of 70's good vibe. It's got a nice hook and you'll be humming this one all day if you let it into your head.

The single was from the 1978 album "Pleasure Pain". I think that is past the Dr. Hook Heyday. I can hear a little disco creeping into the song. I even smell a little KC and the Sunshine Band influence here. That could just be me, though.

Many of the hits for Dr. Hook and the Medicine show were written by Shel Silverstein. I loved Shel as a kid. It wasn't until I was an adult that I discovered he wrote music and even wrote the famous "The Cover Of The Rolling Stone" song. Anyways, this song is actually not by Shel. It is credited to a guy named Sam Weedman. Is that a real name or was that some sort of 7o's inside drug reference joke. I have no idea, but I am suspicious. Apparently there really is a Sam Weedman. He owns a recording studio in Nashville or at least did recently according to what I gather from this web entry. I find that he wrote a few songs for Dr Hook.

"Sharing The Night Together" is no big deal. 70's smooth rock. If that is your thing you might like it. It's not my favorite genre by a long shot. So I can take this song or leave it.

Enjoy!

01 You Make My Pants Want to Get Up And Dance.m4a
02 Sharing The Night Together.m4a

The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs The Red Baron 7" - 1966

This is easily one of my favorite records in my entire collection. When I picked this up I was like a kid on Christmas, giddy with excitement. I could hardly wait to get home and spin it.

After buying it "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron" quickly made its way onto a mix tape that was played constantly in my car. Then when I got into ripping vinyl to my computer it made its way onto a mix CD. And then when I got an Ipod of course this one was an essential song.

As a kid I had a Snoopy album that had this song on it. I loved that record. My wife had the same experience and so we've passed that love down to our kids. The song itself is pure pop bliss. It's catchy, the lyrics are funny and very memorable. The song is less that 3 minutes and so when it is over, you are ready to listen to it again.

Today when I'm really into the whole garage band sound, I really appreciate this song, because to me it has a lot of that flavor to it. The song when it was released was wildly successful. It peaked at number 2 on the charts. It may not be number 1, but that is pretty amazing fo a song about a dog flying a plane, shooting down Germans. This was of course when Snoopy was at the peak of poularity. For more on the Royal Guardsmen here is a link to a pretty informative site.

The "B-Side" isn't Snoopy themed at all. It is just a nice garage ballad and I like it quite a bit. If you've never hears any of the Guardsmen's non Snoopy songs, I think this one will surprise you. These guys were good.

Enjoy!

01 Snoopy Vs The Red Baron.m4a
02 I Needed You.m4a

Thee Headcoatees - My Boyfriend's Learning Karate 7" - 75th music post

Instant classic. That is what I have to say about this record. From the great cover artwork to the song itself, this is one of my favorite singles of all time. Yes, all time. This was the record that introduced me to the greatness that was Thee Headcoatees. I first heard Holly Golightly on that White Stripes record a few years back and I wanted to know more about her. I did some research, read about Thee Headcoatees and Billy Childish and was ready to listen to whatever I could find. This was the first record I found and so I bought it. I have quite a few other releases by them, but by far this is my favorite. Okay, maybe not by far, because I also love "My Dear Watson" another crazy, goofy song of theirs.

I love the vintage sound of the song. I love the cheesy chopsocki sound effects. I love the lyrics. I love the politically incorrect faux accents. I love everything about it. I can't say it enough so I'll give up now and stop. You'll love it too, so you better get to listening.

Enjoy!

01 My Boyfriend's Learning Karate.mp3
02 Mess Of Pottage.mp3

Zoot Fenster - The Man on Page 602/Vinegar In My Wine 7"

This record is what novelty is all about. From what I've gathered, this song was apparently inspired by a Sears catalog photo in 1975 where one of the male underwear models was showing a little more of his manhood than he should have. Read more here. So Zoot decided to capitalize on the news story of the day and write a song about it. The result was this little ditty "The Man On Page 602". I don't think I can really add much more to this that the lyrics can say for themselves. I think if you read them, you'll know everything you need to know to want to listen to this song.

Hey, have you heard the latest story that's bringing on the smiles?

It has caused some blushing laughter and some anger for a while.

For those who shop by mail for all their family clothes,

In the fall-and-winter catalog, more than fashion is exposed.

In the fall-and-winter catalog on page six-hundred-two,

I see this advertisement that makes me come unglued.

The picture's got me out of sorts 'cause I don't understand:

Are they advertising boxer shorts, or are they trying to sell the man?

(I don't know.)

I'd send them all my money if I could make a wish come true.

I just wish I was that man on page six-oh-two

(Look and see. You'll agree. He's got personality.)

You know, when these wish books are delivered, anxious people start to look,

And when they price them there boxer shorts, they suddenly get shook.

Some say it's all in error. Some say all in fun.

He could be tarred and feathered, or maybe even "hung."

In the fall and winter catalog, or the wish book, so it's called,

In my mind, there's no question of what I'd like most of all.

I'd send them all my money if it would make a wish come true.

I just wish I was that man on page six-oh-two.

Yeah, I just wish I was that man on page six-oh-two.

So now that you've read the lyrics treat yourself to some country comedy.

Enjoy!

01 The Man On Page 602.mp3
02 Vinegar In My Wine.mp3

Sam The Sham And The Pharohs - Little Red Riding Hood 7"

This is a record that I don't even remember when I bought it. I'm sure I bought it simply because it had a song named "Lil' Red Riding Hood" and I knew of Sam The Sham. But then it just got lost in the shuffle. I must have brought it home with a big pile of other records and and it never made its way to the turntable, that is until this past fall. I can't even remember how it made its way into the rotation, but it did just in time. I had just finished (or thought I had finished) making my Halloween mix for 2007 when I put this record on. It was like divine intervention that I heard this song before I actually started burning discs to give out. I played it for my wife and she couldn't believe how great it was as well. I think we must have played this record about 5 times in a row that night. So I digitized the record and added the song to the 2007 Halloween mix and the rest as they say is history.

The B-Side is a pretty great little rocker. You'll want to grab a partner and tear up the dance floor when you hear it.

Enjoy!

01 Lil' Red Riding Hood.m4a
02 Love Me Like Before.m4a