The Rutles were kind of inspired by the humor of Monty Python, and the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (a comedy/satire/art group that had been featured in the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour film). They were the brainchild of Eric Idle (of the Pythons) and Neil Innes (a Python collaborator, and a member of the Bonzo band).
They had appeared on a 1970s British TV comedy sketch show produced by Idle and Innes, which eventually led to an album and a mockumentary, All You Need Is Cash (which predated This is Spinal Tap by several years).
And Innes, of course had several roles in Holy Grail. He played Sir Robin’s chief minstrel, and was also crushed by the Trojan Rabbit. He appeared in Life of Brian as a “weedy Samaritan.”
Between 2018 and 2022, Internet celebrity Ladbaby (Mark Hoyle) and wife Roxanne became the first British performers to achieve five consecutive Christmas Number 1 singles with their sausage roll themed novelty songs. Some were obvious parodies including “We Built This City” “I Love Sausage Rolls” and “Don’t Stop Eating.”
The Beatles had the previous record with four consecutive Christmas Number 1s.
They’re not parodists, but I thought I’d mention Uncle Bonsai here. They’re a folk trio (for lack of a better description) from Seattle; not quite as literate as Tom Lehrer, but more musical. I’ve always been a bit surprised that they don’t have more of a following here. They could be very funny and satiric, but they could also knock it out of the park when they decided to be sincere.
Similar to Postmodern Jukebox, there was a group called Big Daddy back in the '80s. They did modern (mostly from the '80s) songs in the style of early rock-n-roll. They did A Day in the Life as if it were done by Buddy Holly, and it’s great.
I had a Big Daddy album; the songs I remember best from that one were “Money for Nothing,” in the style of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons,” and “Nothing Compares 2 U,” in the style of Little Richard.
I must say I really enjoyed the ‘Propane’ parody, but what is most fun is listening to the videos that follow it! They are all most fine!! @Silenus Are they from your favorites list? If so that just confirms my feeling that you and I are brothers from different fathers and mothers.
RIght now I’m groovin’ to Bowie’s 'Modern Love", sipping on a ginger beer.
And now, well, that’s an interesting version of ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’, I must say.
Some. Youtube generates a list based on what I’ve been listening to. Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes….for example, I have no idea which version of “Ghost Riders” you are seeing. The one I watch is Roy Clark and Glen Campbell tearing it up.
That list is a “mix” which youtube algorithmically generates a different one for each person who uses that link. Youtube is generating that list for you based on your watching habits, not Silenus’s. It’s possible to give a direct link to a static list that everybody sees the same contents, but not with those “mix” lists.
The British sitcom “Timewasters” was about a jazz band that went back in time from the present to Jazz Age London where they gain fame for playing jazz arrangements of songs like “Hey Ya” and “Return of the Mack”.
