# Strangest Records Ever Released **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322 "2003-05-29T17:54:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![captainQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@captainQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/captainQwark)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/61 "2003-06-02T04:48:24Z")
I read in one of those uncle John bathroom readers that in the 60’s there was a record titled “the best of Marcel Marceau.” It was 45 minutes of silence followed by a burst of applause. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/62 "2003-06-02T05:17:42Z")
I had (it was stolen) a '78 of British Bugle Calls, c1910. I’ve also got one of those Mad floppies and one by Bobby Sherman that came from a cereal box. Amongst my ‘45’s is a little ditty titled "I Carried A Torch For You So Long That I Burned A Great Big Hole In My Heart’ I can’t remember what the name of the band is. Alice Cooper has some really…unusual…stuff. “Cold Ethel” And 'I Love The Dead" leap to mind. How about the oldie “John and Marsha”? All it is is a couple saying “John!” “Marsha!!!” “Oh, John!!!” etc, over and over. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/63 "2003-06-02T06:14:50Z")
More than 60 posts in nobody’s mentioned any records by [these guys](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll) yet? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/64 "2003-06-02T06:18:08Z")
Who might those guys be? The link doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/65 "2003-06-02T06:26:24Z")
:smack: I mean [THESE GUYS.](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=CASS80305282254&sql=Bos820roac48z) ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/66 "2003-06-02T11:49:55Z")
**renaldo & the loafs ‘the elbow is taboo’** is without doubt one of the funniest things ive ever heard. as its title suggests, its the most pretentious thing ever, done by 2 guys singing gibberish and playing instruments they made up for. its still available at Tower i think, worth getting for the sleeve notes and lyrics alone. also any of the **V/VM** remix albums. the love one and xmas ones being the best. lady in red being a highlight. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/67 "2003-06-02T18:06:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by captainQwark \* > \*\*I read in one of those uncle John bathroom readers that in the 60’s there was a record titled “the best of Marcel Marceau.” > It was 45 minutes of silence followed by a burst of applause. \*\* That reminds me of a 45 called "The Wit And Wisdom of Ronald Reagan (the A side being “the wit” and the B side being “the wisdom”) Its about 5 or 6 minutes of recorded silence on each side. Jon ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/68 "2003-06-02T18:39:42Z")
> [@](#): > > My SO, who is a psychotherapist, found a couple of novelty records that have songs about various mental disorders. I’ll give her a call and see if she can remember any of the titles. I have one of these, called _Songs of Couch and Consultation_ by Katie Lee. The cover art is wonderful, a lovely blond in a cocktail dress lying on an analyst’s couch holding an acoustic guitar straight up in the air, while a goateed shrink takes notes. ---
**Author:** ![NailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@NailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NailBunny)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/69 "2003-06-02T19:28:17Z")
My friend Mark Hosler from Negativland (good call, Wumpus - you should see _his_ record collection!) gave me an album where the only sounds are a boy burying his dead father and crying, and a fly buzzing around them. I’ve never been able to bring myself to listen to it. Ah yes, here it is on [this page](http://www.negativland.com/nmol/seeland.html#ostertagdj), Bob Ostertag’s “Sooner or Later”. Someday I’ll have to listen to it. ---
**Author:** ![lonelocust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/73ab20/32.png) [@lonelocust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonelocust)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/70 "2003-06-03T17:58:42Z")
How is it that Frank Zappa has not been mentioned yet? (Or did I miss it?) ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/71 "2003-06-03T18:10:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lonelocust \* > \*\*How is it that Frank Zappa has not been mentioned yet? > (Or did I miss it?) \*\* Kinda. And kinda. I mentioned the Zappa-produced G.T.O.s on page one. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/72 "2003-06-03T19:42:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nitroglycerine \* > **I’m hoping on seeing the Cramps this tour. The new album rocks!** They’ve already finished the East Coast part of their tour, and they are now out west. So, being in PA **Nitro** , I’d say you’re out of luck unless you’ve got money to spare for plane tickets. (They start a European tour in September, so there’s time to save up …) ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/73 "2003-06-03T20:28:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NDP \* > \*\*More than 60 posts in nobody’s mentioned any records by [these guys](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=CASS80305282254&sql=Bos820roac48z) yet? \*\* Probably because I already mentioned them in the [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=174141) that **Tuckerfan** posted a link to. But you’re correct, they definitely deserve a mention! ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/74 "2003-06-04T01:46:39Z")
Although this probably doesn’t count, I once saw a documentary on PBS about the unknown world of companies that have people send in lyrics (and money) and make a song out of those lyrics. Some of the results are ridiculous. I give you the first verse and the first line of the chorus of _Peace and Love_ (originally the chorus was to begin “Stevie Wonder’s…”) \*Last night I took some LSD I saw the greatest things I ever did see Warts loved my nipples because they were pink Vomit on me baby, yeah, yeah, yeah The blind man’s penis is erect because he’s blind…\* Now imagine those words being sung to a almost march-like beat. ---
**Author:** ![captainQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@captainQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/captainQwark)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/75 "2003-06-04T02:14:57Z")
I heard that lil’ Markie MP3, and it’s pretty creepy! ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/76 "2003-06-04T03:22:22Z")
How did I forget this one?[Stairways to Heaven](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005J65/qid=1054697075/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-3206302-4322431?v=glance&s=music). 22 versions of Stairway to Heaven, including the only one ever released as a single (Rolf Harris’ version). Hey! My copy’s worth $US40! ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/77 "2003-06-04T03:32:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Trigonal Planar \* > \*\*This is a fascinating thread. I have to say though, should we really be including _intentionally_ odd recordings? I mean, “They’re Coming to Take Me Away” is intended as a joke song; I mean, are we gonna start including Weird Al in this list? > > I think we should stick to serious albums that simply turn out absurd. \*\* The artist actually did not intend it to be a joke song at all, but as a straight up tribute to mental health professionals who helped him out. From _Disco Duckand Other Adventures in Novelty Music_ by Ace Collins; great essay collection about songs and the artists. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/78 "2003-06-04T04:35:28Z")
> [@](#): > > A group called Hayseed Dixie did a CD full of AC/DCs music done with a country flavor called “A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC” I saw these guys in Huntsville, Alabama recently. FANTASTIC show. They did a hillbilly version of Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottoms.” > [@](#): > > FOR SEGREGATIONISTS ONLY: mid 60’s compilation record of country/folk/bluegrass artists like Johnny Rebel, Otis And The Bigots, and many others…all songs are anti-civil rights and anti-segregation. Song titles include “Move Those N-ggers North”, “In Coon Town”, and “Looking For A Handout”. I remember a neighbor kid having one of these (“Move Them Ni\*\*ers North”) and bringing it over to show my brothers. I always wondered how he got the filthy thing, but his dad was a real dyed-in-the-wool militia type, so I guess there’s no mystery. > [@](#): > > Another SF legend was the band Flipper, who did an art damage punk version of “I Know An Old Lady who Swallowed A Fly”, adding the line…“I know an old lady who swallowed a minister, Isn’t it sinister…” I love Flipper. They were unashamedly punk, but totally influenced by Black Sabbath more than the Ramones or the Germs. I saw a reunion show in Gainesville, Florida once. They opened for GWAR, and were booed off the stage. It made me sad. GWAR was fun, I suppose, but I wanted to hear “Love Canal,” man. ---
**Author:** ![TigoleBitties](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@TigoleBitties](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TigoleBitties)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/79 "2003-06-04T05:19:04Z")
There was one I can’t for the life of me remember but it was a instructional on teaching sex education to the retarded. It had scenarios featuring such things like a teen getting caught spanking the monkey by Mom or teacher. One of my friends played it one night when a bunch of us were epically baked. Chilling beyond words. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322/80 "2003-06-04T06:25:40Z")
Another Zappa mention. When he recorded a disturbed street person ranting and shouting. The ranting was a two record set. It was ART! It was an Evening with Wild Man Fisher. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-records-ever-released/178322.md?page=5)