5 Novelty Songs Tickle Funny Bone

Posted: May 17, 07 3:45pm

Move over Weird Al Yankovick, Dr. Demento, Stan Freberg, and Allan Sherman.

When it comes to novelty records, these folks never take a back seat to anyone, however, we all have our own personal favorites.

Here are 5 of mine all guaranteed to generate a laugh or squeeze a chuckle out of your funny bone every time:

1) "Funky Worm" - Ohio Players

2) "Superfly Meets Shaft" - Dickie Goodman

3) "Jungle Fever" - Chakachas

4) "Double Dutch Bus" - Frankie Smith

5) "I Gotta Woman" - Bill Cosby

"Funky Worm" was a top 15 hit for the Ohio Players in 1973. They would go onto bigger things in 1975, with their number one hit "Fire." "Funky Worm" features a band member who talks in the voice of a "grandmother." A snake charmer provides the appropriate music for granny to strut her stuff.

Dickie Goodman had a string of novelty hits in the late 1960's and early 1970's. He specialized in a technique called the "flying saucer" which used scripted dialogue to introduce segments of popular songs.

"Superfly Meets Shaft" is hysterical. All of the action takes place at the White House. Segments of songs from the Spinners, James Brown, Billy Paul, and others are interspersed between news reporter dialogue. "Superfly Meets Shaft" peaked at number 31 in 1973. This is a great gimmick, and I've wondered why a hip hop producer hasn't stolen the concept.

"Jungle Fever" contains more erotic groans in 4 minutes than Donna Summer slipped into her 16 minutes of "Love to Love You Baby." The Chakachas deliver primal stuff, with driving drums and seductive flute arias. No English required to groove. "Jungle Fever" was a number 8 smash in 1972.

Frankie Smith turned a "pig latin" novelty into a national top 30 pop hit in 1981. Smith raps about the public transit system in Philadelphia! "Double Dutch Bus" is lots of fun.

Bill Cosby recorded a 1967 album Silver Throat featuring all songs and no comedy, well, sort of. One of the most amusing tunes is his rendering of Ray Charles' "I Gotta Woman." A tongue and cheek riot.

Today, you are more likely to hear these songs on Internet radio rather than anywhere else.

What are some of your favorite novelty songs? Any genre is fine.