# Weirdest songs to ever hit the Top 40 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 10, 2006, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927 "2006-10-10T14:01:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/121 "2013-06-27T23:57:23Z")
I will add one of my favorites to this zombie… [The Distance](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pSlu2okpqM) by Cake ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/122 "2013-06-28T05:43:18Z")
In the whole three pages nobody suggested “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow” by the Rivingtons? ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/123 "2013-06-28T07:41:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > two French robots who haven’t had a hit since the '90s. That really depends how you define ‘hit’ - the highest they charted on the US general charts prior to Get Lucky is 61, so on that chart, it’s perfectly reasonable to say they haven’t _ever_ had a hit single. On the other hand, on the US dance charts, where they have had actual hits, the most recent one prior to Get Lucky (which topped at #1 there) was 2005’s Technologic, which hit #10. And for full albums, the Tron Legacy soundtrack hit #4 on the US general charts (#1 on the dance charts), despite being pretty much completely weaksauce (too much of a typical score, not enough of their personal style) - although Derezzed, the only single from it, did terribly on pretty much every chart. ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/124 "2013-06-28T08:14:45Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Although it may seem odd that the piping version of Amazing Grace made it to the Top 40, the album’s real musicological significance is that it established Amazing Grace as a bagpipe tune, suitable for funerals. > > Prior to that time, pipers tended to play “Flowers of the Forest” at funerals. (In fact, “Flowers” is so closely linked to funerals in piping culture that there are some odd superstitions about it, such as it should never be played through entirely _except_ at a funeral.) > > “Amzaing Grace” has supplanted “Flowers” in the popular image of bagpipes at funerals, but I’ve noticed that in the recent cases where the remains of dead Canadian soldiers are being brought back to Canada, the Armed Forces pipers often play “Flowers” instead of “Amazing Grace.” Thanks for that. The bagpipes are strong here in New Zealand and I never heard Amazing Grace until after McCartney popularised it. “Flowers” is what I’m familiar with: am playing it at the moment, makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It’s usually played here at the funerals of old soldiers like my father and father-in-law. Its absolutely haunting as the piper walks away into the distance. > [@Hometownboy](#): > > More than a bit strange is the haunting **Sally, Go Round the Roses** by the Jaynetts. A great discussion about the lyrics can be found[here](http://www.history-of-rock.com/jaynetts.htm) Interesting I usually associate this song with Pentangle and thought it was a 17th century tune. https://www.youtube.com/embed/swXX7h8LKFk?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/125 "2013-06-28T08:17:07Z")
If we are looking for odd stuff the Goons “Ying Tong Song” must deserve a mention. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nebe1zuEtbc) ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/126 "2013-06-28T08:37:33Z")
[bleh] ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/127 "2013-06-28T09:33:06Z")
I can remember a a marching band having a hit in the 80s - bugger if I know who or what it was called though but I’m humming the tune. ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/128 "2013-06-28T09:34:28Z")
Sometime in the early 90s, an excerpt from Henryk Gorecki’s [Symphony of Sorrowful Songs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY5OasyXXvk) (the link goes to the third movement) made the Top 40 in the UK, at least. It’s truly exquisite–but it’s a long way from your typical Top 40. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/129 "2013-06-28T09:47:20Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > I can remember a a marching band having a hit in the 80s - bugger if I know who or what it was called though but I’m humming the tune. The only one I can think of is [The Floral Dance](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysc5sXpFQlA) by the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band. Reached No.2 in the UK charts. That was late 70s rather than 80s though. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/130 "2013-06-28T10:00:26Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > I can remember a a marching band having a hit in the 80s - bugger if I know who or what it was called though but I’m humming the tune. [Fleetwood Mac’s - _Tusk_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umjYHLt56kg)? CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![williamweigand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b3f665/32.png) [@williamweigand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williamweigand)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/131 "2013-06-28T11:47:29Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > [Fleetwood Mac’s - _Tusk_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umjYHLt56kg)? > > CMC fnord! And the thread comes full circle. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/132 "2013-06-28T13:08:19Z")
“Mr Jaws” by Dickie Goodman. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/133 "2013-06-28T16:09:27Z")
It’s [_alive_!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0a6KHD_gwQ) ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/134 "2013-06-28T17:08:51Z")
_Music Box Dancer_ Frank Mills. It was sent to the wrong radio station and became a pop hit. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/135 "2013-06-28T17:11:50Z")
Zager & Evans _In The Year 2525_. Monster hit in 1969, couldn’t escape it if you tried. I hope I never hear it again. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/136 "2013-06-28T18:03:10Z")
How about the Renex version of [Cottoneye Joe.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcDy8HEg1QY) It is folk country song as performed by the Swedish techno/bluegrass band Rednex and reached #25 on the American pop charts in 1995 but was #1 for many weeks in England, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Sweden. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/137 "2013-06-28T18:17:32Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I’d nominate Tiny Tim’s Tiptoe through the Tulips, everyting about it and Tim was weird. One of the Beatles’ Christmas records has Tim as a guest doing “Nowhere Man.” At the end John says “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/138 "2013-06-28T18:59:52Z")
Paul McCartney released Mary Had a Little Lamb. #9 in the UK, #28 (as a two sided single) in the USA [Mary Had a Little Lamb](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Had_a_Little_Lamb_(Paul_McCartney_song)) ---
**Author:** ![OtisCampbellWasRight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@OtisCampbellWasRight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtisCampbellWasRight)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/139 "2013-06-28T19:45:07Z")
In the 1970’s Jim Stafford had a bunch of wacky (tobaccy) songs. “I don’t like spiders and snakes” was a big hit. A couple lesser hits include “My Girl Bill” and “Drop kick me Jesus through the Goalposts of Life.” Good times. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927/140 "2013-06-28T19:57:19Z")
Nitpick - Bobby Bare did “Drop Kick Me Jesus”, not Stafford. I like 'em both as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdest-songs-to-ever-hit-the-top-40/375927.md?page=8)