The comic or novelty song became a very popular genre during the 1960’s. As well as musicians it also was not uncommon for well known comics to issue novelty or comedic singles in the hope of cashing in on their success. So today our selection will also feature some examples of this.
“My Old Man’s a Dustman” is a song first recorded by the British skiffle singer Lonnie Donegan. It reached number one in the British, Irish, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand singles charts in 1960. The song was written by Lonnie Donegan, Peter Buchanan (Donegan’s manager) and Beverly Thorn; Thorn was not credited on the original release. According to his autobiography, Beverley Thorn was a pseudonym of Leslie Bricusse, the songwriter who wrote hit shows with Antony Newley. The song represented a change in style for Donegan, away from American folk and towards British music hall.
“My Boomerang Won’t Come Back” was a novelty record by British comedian Charlie Drake which became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1961. The tune concerns a young Aboribinal lad (with Drake’s signature Cockney accent) cast out by his tribe due to his inability to toss a boomerang. After months of isolation (and fighting off “nasty bushwackin’ animals”), the local witch doctor takes pity on the lad and informs him “if you want you boomerang to come back/well, first you’ve got to throw it!” He does, and proceeds to bring down an aeroplane, which crashes with a loud boom. “Oh, my Gawd,” the lad says in horror, “I’ve hit The Flying Doctor!” The lad and the witch doctor argue over payment (“you still owe me fourteen chickens!”) as the record fades out. “My Boomerang” is not exactly a paragon of political correctness, even by 1961 standards. The BBC refused to play the tune (despite its popularity in record shops), until a new version was recorded with amended lyrics; this version entered the UK charts in October and eventually peaked at No. 14.
Don’t Jump Off the Roof Dad” was one of a number of songs performed by Tommy Cooper during his career. Cooper was a comedian and magician of Anglo-Welsh parentage. As an entertainer, his appearance was large and lumbering at 6 feet 3 inches and he habitually wore a red fez when performing. Although he spent time on tour performing his magical act, which specialised on magic tricks that appeared to “fail”, he rose to international prominence when his career moved into television. This song with words and music by Cy Coben was released as a single in 1961 and was the only one to reach the UK charts reaching No. 40.
“My Brother” is one of only two songs recorded by Terry Scott an English actor and comedian who appeared in seven of the Carry On Films. He is also best known for appearing the BBC1 sitcom Terry and June with June Whitfield. It was written by Scott and Scottish comedian Mitch Murray and released in December 1962 as the b-side of a Christmas single with “Don’t Light The Fire ‘Til After Santa’s Gone”. It later became a staple of his live performances.
“Come Outside” is a song written by Charles Blackwell. A recording credited to Mike Sarne with accompaniment directed by Charles Blackwell featuring Wendy Richard reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in 1962. The track stayed at No.1 for a fortnight at the end of June and early July 1962. The song was placed twelfth on the chart of overall single sales for the calendar year 1962 in the UK.
