Back to the world of the Pachyderm for another great collection of songs. This time our focus is on those who are children at heart. Nellie the Elephant” is a children’s song written in 1956 by Ralph Butler and Peter Hart about a fictional anthropomorphic elephant of that name. The original version, released in October […]
Animal Songs – Elephant 1
We are shifting our gaze to the largest member of the animal kingdom – the Elephant – to discover what music it has inspired. “Elephant” is a song by British singer Alexandra Burke from her second studio album Heartbreak on Hold (2012). It features Colombian-American DJ Erick Morillo, who co-wrote the song with Burke, Britt […]
Animal Songs – Elephant 3
Our third visit to the Elephant House brings another collection of interesting songs. “Baby Elephant Walk” is a song composed in 1961 by Henry Mancini for the 1962 film Hatari. Lyrics by Hal David were not used in the film version. The instrumental earned Mancini a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement in 1963. The […]
Animal Songs – Pigs 2
A second visit to the world of ‘Pigs’ to discover some more great music. “Sic Em PIgs” is a track from ‘Hallelujah‘ the fourth album by Canned Heat, released in 1969. It was re-released on CD in 2001 by MAM productions with four bonus tracks. It was the last album to feature classic lineup mark […]
Animal Songs – Pigs 1
Our travels through the animal kingdom has brought us to the ‘Pig’ pen for our next collection of songs. “Blind Pig” Emily Joy Green is a British-Australian singer-songwriter who performs under the name of Emmi. The Devon-born singer’s second single, “Sleep On It”, attracted the attention of Taylor Swift, who included it in her handwritten […]
Animal Songs – Bears 1
Having considered both Lions and Tigers it is now time to turn our attention to the final member of our musical trio – ‘Bears’. “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” is a song consisting of a melody written in 1907 by American composer John Walter Bratton, and lyrics added in 1932 by Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy. It […]
Animal Songs – Tigers 4
Our final collection of ‘Tiger’ songs brings together some very diverse numbers. “White Tiger” is a 2015 song by Isobel Beardshaw a British singer-songwriter who records under the name of Izzy Bizu. It is taken from the album A Moment of Madness. It was featured in a 2018 commercial for Cacharel. “‘White Tiger’ is about […]
Animal Songs – Bears 3
For a third time we enter the melodic ursine world for a fresh selection of songs. “Grizzly Bear” is a track from Angus & Julia Stone the third studio album by Australian singer-songwriter duo Angus and Julia Stone, released in August 2014 in Australia through EMI Music Australia, and on the same day in the […]
Animal Songs – Bears 2
A second visit to the ‘Bear’ enclosure brings another fine collection of songs. “Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear” is a song written by Randy Newman, about a sincere young man of modest means named Simon Smith who entertains affluent (“well-fed”) diners with his dancing bear. Newman wrote the ragtime-influenced song in 1964. He […]
Animal Songs – Tigers 3
Apparently the collective noun for a group of Tigers is either a ‘Streak’, a ‘Hide’ or an ‘Ambush’. Who knew? Today we go back in time to discover some ‘Tiger’ oldies. “I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail” is a song made famous by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. Released in December 1964, the song […]