Humorous/Irreverent Songwriter Artists

[LiveMusic]

Interested in expanding my collection of artists who write (or just record) humorous (but not true comedy) or "sassy" songs. In the old days of country music, Bobby Bare comes to mind. Not someone like Ray Stevens who does real comedy stuff but writers/artists like Bobby Bare or the writer Shel Silverstein. Another description would be Travis Tritt's "Here's A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)." An ideal example in the pop/rock country/rock whatever you call him... Loudon Wainwright III, who had a mainstream hit in the early 70s with "Dean Skunk In The Middle Of The Road." He's built his entire career / non-career on mostly humorous songs. There was an old rock song "On The Cover Of The Rolling Stone." I forget who did that one. Or, if you just know of individual songs. This is for me, playing solo acoustic guitar. Songs that bring a smile to people's faces or songs that have an attitude. "Take This Job And Shove It," for example.

[-_dup1]

[quote]Originally posted by LiveMusic: [b]An ideal example in the pop/rock country/rock whatever you call him... Loudon Wainwright III[/b][/quote]I once heard him perform a very funny/witty song called "Being a Dad"... Good stuff. Harry Nilsson mixed in some humor with his music. For example, in a faux-country song called "Joy", there's a spoken section that employs a kind of circular logic that he's really good at doing... He speaks this in a fake southern accent over a lazy C&W backing: "If you never have an answer, then you never had a question. If you never have a question, then you never had a problem. If you never had a problem, then everybody would be... happy. And if everybody was happy... There'd never be a love song." And then there's Harry Nilsson's "The Point" album -- a LSD-inspired children's album :eek: which is trippy, funny, melodic, catchy, weird, and... great. :) :thu:

[Botch.]

Industrial Disease - Dire Straits Uneasy Rider - Charlie Daniels Uneasy Rider '88 - Charlie Daniels (this is little-heard and an absolute scream; in the first UR Charlie was a hippie stumbling into a redneck bar, in the second version he himself is the redneck, stumbling into a gay bar! Hilarious!!) My Analyst Told Me - Joni Mitchell Funky Western Civilization - Tonio K. Lyle Lovett's done some good ones And here's a 30-second ditty our band does every night: Sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to the tune of "Ghost Riders in the Sky", we do it a cappella, three-part harmony with snare drum and cowboy "whoops"; our most requested tune! :freak: I'll think of more later, is Dr. Demento still on the air?

[strat0124]

Webb Wilder, Mojo Nixon, Beatfarmers, Bottlerockets, Dave Alvin, Steve Earle, ect...... masters of the genre (and genre bending) among others my old ass can't remember. :)

[-_dup1]

[quote]Originally posted by Mr. Botch: [b]Lyle Lovett's done some good ones [/b][/quote]Oh, I forgot about him... Yeah, he's written some really great, funny, witty stuff. His song about in-laws, "They Don't Like Me", is one of my favorites. :D

[Hush]

Christine Lavin has really quirky funny songs. http://www.christinelavin.com/ I'm also a fan of Uncle Bonzai. I really liked they're 1st album. http://www.unclebonsai.com/

[Roto]

[quote]Originally posted by Geenard Skeenard: [b]Webb Wilder, Mojo Nixon, Beatfarmers, Bottlerockets, Dave Alvin, Steve Earle, ect...... masters of the genre (and genre bending) among others my old ass can't remember. :) [/b][/quote]I'll second those, especially The Beatfarmers. "Loud, Plowed, and Live" would be a good 1st cd to buy if you can find it. Add Southern Culture on the Skids to that list. I really like two of their albums, "Ditch Digging" and "Dirt Track Date". Strange how this is just a big list of country/rock. For something just plain wacky, check out [url=http://www.thesquirrels.com/get_download.htm]The Squirrels[/url] [img]http://www.thesquirrels.com/mooncover-small.jpeg[/img]

[Mr Darling]

I can never ressit a good spam ! My partner baby project was based on humorous / sexy songs... Now we're working on more sirious, spirtual things but now-and-again a funny/sassy tune escapes our studio. check out D.I.Y just released to mp3.com... wont be so easy to solo play it with a guitar - but if you do - send us an mp3 of it.. :D

[GZsound]

How about Randy Newman, Wierd Al, Spike Jones, Victor Borge, Steve Allen and some of the old guys?

[Tedster]

The late, great Roger Miller. Jerry Reed. Roy Clark. Seems like the whole "novelty song" idea is sort of a thing of the past, aside to the occasional Weird Al tune.

[Gtoledo3]

KINKY FRIEDMAN!!!! :thu:

[Kendrix]

They Might Be Giants - are into silly song themes and delivery styles big time - its what they do. Lou Reed is sometimes so sarcastic that its funny in a black hukor/sick sort of way- Check out the "New York" album. Tom Lehrer is the original /old school comedic songwriter. I second Randy Newman.

[Mark Zeger]

Two that have been mentioned and a few others... Randy Newman is a favorite. "Political Science" has a certain resonance these days. "My Life Is Good" is a riot. Lyle Lovett is absolutely brilliant. The man can write a song as stunning as "Nobody Knows Me", and also turn in humorous gems such as "I Married Her Just Because She Looks Like You", "Penguins" and "Church". David Frishberg and Bob Dorough. Frishberg wrote "Peel Me a Grape". Together they wrote "I'm Hip". They contributed 2 memorable songs for Schoolhouse Rock, Frishberg's "I'm Just a Bill" and Dorough's "Conjunction Junction". Their joint album "Who's On First" is worth checking out. Tom Waits. I wouldn't put him in a "humorous/irreverent songwriter" list, but he has a darkly funny side, as in "Frank's Wild Years". Never could stand that dog... Was (Not Was). Often, they put out some great funk/R&B/pop (like "Spy in the House of Love"). But with it, you get "Zaz Turned Blue" with guest vocalist Mel Torme, "Wedding Vows in Vegas" with Frank Sinatra Jr., and "Earth to Doris". [b]Botch: [/b] the Joni Mitchell tune you noted is "Twisted". It dates back to the '50s with Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. Annie Ross wrote the lyrics to sing over the melody from a Wardell Grey trombone solo.

[Hush]

Oh yeah thought of another one. Mike Keneally and Beer for Dolphins. Zappa influenced music. Lots o fun. :thu: http://www.keneally.com/

[Jeebus]

Les Claypool

[Roto]

[quote]Originally posted by mzeger: [b] Was (Not Was). Often, they put out some great funk/R&B/pop (like "Spy in the House of Love"). But with it, you get "Zaz Turned Blue" with guest vocalist Mel Torme, "Wedding Vows in Vegas" with Frank Sinatra Jr., and "Earth to Doris". [/b][/quote]Don't forget, Hello Dad? I'm in jail! Hi dad, I'm in jail! Say hi to mom...from jail! I'm gonna stay here! I like it here! bahahahaha

[doug osborne]

Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, song written by Shel Silverstein. [quote]Originally posted by LiveMusic: [b]... There was an old rock song "On The Cover Of The Rolling Stone." I forget who did that one. ...[/b][/quote]

[Jotown]

Now Shel Silverstein wrote some amazingly funny and sad stuff. I forgot about him.

[D_dup3]

Though their serious songs remain in the public mind more , let's not forget John Prine & Bob Dylan. Check out Prine's "Illegal Smile" or Dylan's "Motorpsycho Nightmare" ( sample line:"They asked for some collateral & I pulled down my pants"), for instance. Then there's Captain Beefheart & John Lennon.

[Rim]

John Valby - very risque, though :eek:

[Salyphus]

Here are some eclectic suggestions for you: Plume Latraverse The Pheremones Tenacious D Doctor Q Eric Idle

[fantasticsound]

[quote]Originally posted by O' Little Jotown Of Bethlehem: [b]Now Shel Silverstein wrote some amazingly funny and sad stuff. I forgot about him.[/b][/quote]Don't forget he wrote, "A Boy Named Sue" sung by Johnny Cash. Jim Croce has quite a few character songs that put him in this category. In addition to the well known "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" he sang "Rapid Roy (That Stock Car Boy)" inspired by Richard Petty, "Speedball Tucker", "Workin' At The Car Wash Blues", "Roller Derby Queen" and "Top Hat Bar & Grill." Harry Chapin's "30,000 Pounds Of Bananas" and "Danceband On The Titanic." Tim Mensy's "That's Good." Dixie Chicks' "Goodbye Earl." Alabama's baseball lament, "Cheap Seats." Confederate Railroad's "She Never Cried" ("She never cried when Old Yeller died. Do you think I'll cry when she's gone?) Alan Jackson's "I Don't Even Know Your Name." Mark Chestnut's "Old Flames (Have New Names)." Joe Diffie's "Prop Me Up (Beside The Jukebox If I Die.)" Blackhawk's "Goodbye Says It All." Collin Raye's "That's My Story." Traveling Wilbury's, "Poor House" and "Wilbury Twist." Pinkard & Bowden's "Trailer Park Woman", "Propane" (sung to Cocaine), "Since My Baby Turned Gay", and "Censor Us" Chet Atkins & Suzy Bogguss' "Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends (And Girlfriends Don't Like Old Wives.") Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant." I was going to mention Tom Lehrer last night, but he seems to me to be a comedy songwriter, not a songwriter using humor in some songs. Same with Allan Sherman, whose parodies are incredible and originals that are hilarious. Check out "Good Advice" and "You Went The Wrong Way Old King Louie" among others. I [i]could[/i] go on but... nahhhh...!

[Alndln]

It simply doesn't get anymore irreverent than this. [img]http://images.comicbookresources.com/oddball/jimmydurante_18-175.jpg[/img]

[Baby]

[quote]Originally posted by Sal Ami: [b] Tenacious D [/b][/quote]Props to Tenacious D! That video is too funny..

[Alndln]

[quote]Originally posted by Sal Ami: [b] Plume Latraverse [/b][/quote]Next to Durante,probably the craziest one mentioned here.But if your not from Montreal you probably missed it.

[D_dup3]

[quote]Originally posted by Sal Ami: [b]Here are some eclectic suggestions for you: Plume Latraverse The Pheremones Tenacious D Doctor Q Eric Idle[/b][/quote]That reminds me...[i]Neil Innes[/i] (Bonzo Dog Band & composer of the Rutles's tunes)!

[doug osborne]

John Prine: Smart, funny, and passionate! [quote]Originally posted by d: [b]Though their serious songs remain in the public mind more , let's not forget John Prine & Bob Dylan. Check out Prine's "Illegal Smile" or Dylan's "Motorpsycho Nightmare" ( sample line:"They asked for some collateral & I pulled doen my pants"), for instance. Then there's Captain Beefheart & John Lennon.[/b][/quote]

[doug osborne]

Biff Rose!

[Franknputer]

Root Boy Slim Bluchunks hey dBunny - I always thought "Distant Land" was pretty funny! :D (Of course, I'm a bit of a sick f*ck...)

[Anita Fix]

How about G'N'R "Used to love her"?