I was watching the horror film Insidious and this song is played throughout the movie a few times. It’s a very creepy song but what I don’t get is why did this song become so popular in the 1960’s? Was it well liked as a joke or did people generally like the song? It peaked at number 17 in the 1968 Billboard charts. I guess the movie Insidious plays a big part on why it’s such a creepy song but I think I would still find the song creepy had I never saw the movie.
The song is originally from 1929, but it was revived in 1968 by the eccentric singer Tiny Tim, who made a big splash by performing it on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Tiny Tim was understandably (given his freakish appearance and demeanor) dismissed as a novelty act, but he really did have a scholarly knowledge of and a sincere love for the music of that era.
It was definitely a novelty song, in the vein of “The Streak” or “Monster Mash” or “Yellow Submarine” even.
Every once in a while a song comes along that doesn’t take itself too seriously. People can dig that, man.
Sock it to me!
This was from the era which gave us “They’re coming to take me away” and “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman”.
If I recall correctly, the B side of “They’re Coming To Take Me Away” was the song itself played backwards.
I’ll have to look that up in my Funk and Wagnalls.
The song was introduced by Nick Lucas in the second all-Technicolor talkie, Gold Diggers of Broadway. Only about 15 minutes of footage survive, but it does include the “Tulips” number. The song is presented as a stage performance and has no connection with the plot.
There were many, many recorded versions of “Tip-toe Thru the Tulips” in 1929, often paired with the other major hit from the film, “Painting the Clouds with Sunshine”.
Nick Lucas, a guitar-playing crooner popular at the time, had a light tenor voice but didn’t perform anything like the cartoonish falsetto that Tiny Tim used. I can give a certain measure of thanks that I was familiar with the 1929 recordings before I knew much about Tiny Tim.
Here’s a medley of songs from Gold Diggers of Broadway for anyone who wants to hear them performed in an authentic style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeulrRurev0
I can see how the song would be popular in 1929 but the fact that it became popular in 1968 is kinda strange. I guess I can see how it could be a novelty song like Monster Mash but Monster Mash was more of a little kid family song while this song is not really like that. I’m trying to imagine somebody in 1968 listening to this song while driving around and actually liking the song. I can’t see how anyone could actually like this song.
It made people laugh. Which is the point of a novelty song.
It helped that it was associated with Laugh-In, since the image of Tiny Tim made it even funnier. You could also play it at parties and have everyone break into laughter.
For those who are too young for the remarkable variety show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, this is the version you are seeking: Tiny Tim - Tiptoe Through The Tulips - YouTube
You have to imagine that for any given evening hour, there were exactly three possible television programs to choose from. Tiny Tim’s signature song would not be a universally shared experience today.
Cripes. Tiny Tim was even weirder than I remembered him being.
Have you ever seen Tiny Tim?
I remember watching his wedding to Miss Vicky on the Tonight Show. The song, the singer, the wedding - all hilarious. It was the perfect time for it, too.
It was the 60’s man.
I recall Pepé Le Pew singing “tiptoe dans les tulips, avec moi,” but I don’t know when this cartoon was made.
ETA: I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a Mel Blanc improvisation. The man was a genius!
I enjoyed Tiny Tim. And lusted after Goldie Hawn.
You bet your sweet bippy!
ETA: And yes, Goldie was adorable!
She is probably the most famous alumnus of my high school.
They spent more on film than choreography and dancers. :eek:
My favorite version of the song is by Annette Hanshaw.