# Novelty or joke songs that are actually pretty good **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 22, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850 "2009-07-22T12:32:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/61 "2009-07-23T17:52:17Z")
> [@cher3](#): > > What, no Tom Lehrer? That’s what I thought! For the uninitiated: Tom Lehrer - [Wernher von Braun](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJ9HrZq7Ro) ---
**Author:** ![bleach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bleach/32/3106_2.png) [@bleach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleach)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/62 "2009-07-23T20:27:19Z")
**Corky and the Juice Pigs** had some funny, wonderful songs. [I’m the Only Gay Eskimo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We-r4TuYWAg) by CatJP on Mad TV. My personal favorite of theirs is “Truckers” I like **Julie Brown** ’s “The Homecoming Queen’s Got a Gun” and “Earth Girls are Easy” A canonical favorite around Halloween is “Monster Mash” by **Bobbie “Boris” Pickett**. Finally, let me just say that obscenity is all in your Polka-dot Undies, by **Bowser and Blue**. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/63 "2009-07-23T20:58:06Z")
I keep thinking of new ones: “Carrot Juice is Murder” by the Arrogant Worms is pretty good as well. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/64 "2009-07-23T23:20:50Z")
The lounge version of Down With The Sickness by Richard Cheese is probably the best thing about the Dawn of the Dead reimagining. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/65 "2009-07-24T03:40:51Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > The lounge version of Down With The Sickness by Richard Cheese is probably the best thing about the Dawn of the Dead reimagining. Ditto! ---
**Author:** ![jeezums](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@jeezums](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeezums)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/66 "2009-07-24T04:03:15Z")
[Psycho Chicken](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maiWu3_Z88s) and [Life Sucks Then You Die](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gejSEOnaYek) both by the Fools. ---
**Author:** ![ianjohnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@ianjohnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianjohnson)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/67 "2009-07-24T05:51:57Z")
Dog Train by Blues Traveler from the Sandra Boynton cd is certainly a good one along with Pots and Pans by the Bacon Brothers and Boring Song. Anything by Tom Lehrer. Masochism Tango is the one that seems to stick with me the most. A large portion of what I listened to in high school was stuff I recorded from Dr Demento (a testament to my nerd-dom) but I don’t remember much of it now aside from Lehrer and Al. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/68 "2009-07-24T06:44:00Z")
I remembered another one: [Hey Goldmember](http://www.playlist.com/playlist/additem/731467537) by Beyonce Knowles sounds as good as any of the old disco tunes it pays homage to. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/69 "2009-07-24T11:03:15Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > The Royal Guardsmen put out four LPs in the '60s: _Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron_, _Return of the Red Baron_, _Snoopy and His Friends_, and _Snoopy for President_. All of which were released on a pair of CDs in 2001. I happen to have a fifth LP that I’ve never found listed anywhere, Side A is their Snoopy songs, minus the Christmas one, and about a dozen of their covers; side B is The Vince Guaraldi Trio with theme music from the '60s specials. ``` I believe this is the one I have [Merry Snoopy's Christmas](http://www.great-songs-of-christmas.com/merrysnoopyxmas.htm) but I'm still looking... ``` ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/70 "2009-07-24T11:46:41Z")
I like the songs from A Mighty Wind. Especially the Kiss at the End of the Rainbow one. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/71 "2009-07-24T13:08:32Z")
For not mentioning The Simpsons earlier, I give you all an earworm: Some men hunt for sport, Others hunt for food, The only thing I’m hunting for, Is an outfit that looks good… See my vest, see my vest, Made from real gorilla chest, Feel this sweater, there’s no better, Than authentic Irish setter. See this hat, 'twas my cat, My evening wear - vampire bat, These white slippers are albino African endangered rhino. Grizzly bear underwear, Turtles’ necks, I’ve got my share, Beret of poodle, on my noodle It shall rest, Try my red robin suit, It comes one breast or two, See my vest, see my vest, See my vest. Like my loafers? Former gophers - It was that or skin my chauffeurs, But a greyhound fur tuxedo Would be best, So let’s prepare these dogs, Mrs. Potts: Kill two for matching clogs, See my vest, see my vest, Oh please, won’t you see my vest. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/72 "2009-07-24T15:49:25Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > I believe this is the one I have [Merry Snoopy’s Christmas](http://www.great-songs-of-christmas.com/merrysnoopyxmas.htm) but I’m still looking… That’s their only non-'60s LP, realeased in 1980. Wikipedia says the same cover was on the back of [Snoopy and His Friends](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoopy_And_His_Friends). ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/73 "2009-07-26T02:13:04Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Not a joke but Chris Daughtry’s [cover](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqT4VnnEU0M) of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face is unusual. It’s a sad and depressing song done like that, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/74 "2009-07-26T02:28:47Z")
Jon Lajoie’s [Everyday Normal Guy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PsnxDQvQpw) ---
**Author:** ![kitemaker\_chuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a88e4f/32.png) [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/75 "2009-07-26T02:56:30Z")
Here’s a couple of novelty songs from the 1960’s that I heard (when they were brand new) on KJR-AM Seattle: Louie, Louie by The Kingsmen I Love Onions by Susan Christie ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/76 "2009-07-26T03:08:20Z")
Jonathon Coulton’s been mentioned, but not his incredibly clever _[Still Alive](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI)_. It’s the song played over the closing credits to the PC game _Portal_, and you _do_ have to have at least a passing familiarity with some of the concepts from that game to understand the song. But given that familiarity, the song is a work of genius. And I say “familiarity” but in fact I never played the game, I had just read some reviews. Slight spoiler:[spoiler] (In the game, the protagonist must make his way through various puzzles in a mazelike environment, and an AI in charge of the environment alternately encourages and torments the protagonist. The AI keeps promising him cake if he makes it, and the protagonist finds scrawled in blood at one point in the game the phrase “The cake is a lie!” Ultimately, the protagonist must destroy the AI. Somehow all of this is a military research corporation’s experiment gone horribly awry.)[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/77 "2009-07-26T04:15:21Z")
It’s All About The Pentiums! ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/78 "2009-07-26T04:26:24Z")
A great song, he actually has a very good voice and the song is hilarious. “One more Minute” [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r41U_T7pQjQ) Unclviny ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/79 "2009-07-26T04:44:51Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > I’ve always liked the Fendermen’s version of “Mule Skinner Blues”. That was a parody/novelty song? Surely you are not referring to the “cha-cha-cha” ending. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850/80 "2009-07-26T05:35:24Z")
> [@Rayne\_Man](#): > > **Unchained Melody** by the Goons ( Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan) > > I particularly like the middle part when each instrument seems to be playing in a different time signature. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqqNsyHajb0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqqNsyHajb0) Thank you for this, I have been a Goons fan for over 40 years but I haven’t heard this one. There are a couple of songs of which I have recordings by the oh-so-precious Blossom Dearie, which I think are very funny and well written: Someone’s Been Sending Me Flowers, and The Ballad of the Shape of Things, both by Sheldon Harnick and both sets of lyrics shown [here](http://www.huntingtonmenschorus.com/humor.shtml). Roddy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/novelty-or-joke-songs-that-are-actually-pretty-good/503850.md?page=5)