Ah, Dr. Demento. I listened in the 70s, too. I was hooked for a few years after hearing Fats Waller’s “Hold Tight” (or was it Seafood Mama?). I was so young; I really thought it was about seafood. Yeah…
Hm, now that I’m remembering, Dr. D and Joe Jackson’s “Jump and Jive” or whatever it was were what steered me into Jazz and Blues at an early age without really understanding where I was heading until I got there. Hm. Thanks for reminding me.
I so hear ya - I thought My Little Dinghy was about a boat. And by the very same token, I wound up thinking a lot of that Joe J album, Jumpin’ Jive (1981, my god that was a long time ago!) and remembering more of the lyrics than I have in years. Those were really smart arrangements; they stand the test of time. I wonder if “They’re Coming to Take Me Away” still does.
Those were really smart arrangements; they stand the test of time. I wonder if “They’re Coming to Take Me Away” still does.
I don’t think so. But “Is you is or is you ain’t my baby?” does. I must find that CD. I wonder if Dr. Demento played much Louis Jordan and I didn’t realize what I was listening to.
1981 was a very long time ago.
i, too, have fond memories of the doctor. his show was one of the few times i was allowed to come into your bedroom and hang out with you. even though some of the songs really frightened me (lehrer’s Irish Ballad), i stuck it out so i could hang with the big bro.
hope you are better soon!
Well, that took me back. Having been on exactly the same track—only listening on various second-hand stereo systems and even beginning to TAPE Dr. D songs on cassette (oh, brave new world)—I read this post in a swoon of nostalgia. Other Dr. D songs/tracks that truly fascinated me:
The Ballad of the Titanic
Seafood Mama
The Beatles’ tripped-out Christmas records/"You Know My Name”
Earache My Eye
King Kong (Your Song), of which I still have the 7” single somewhere
... and so many more.
Feel better, my friend.
S
Well, this one certainly made me leave my reader to make a personal appearance. Haven’t listend to him in decades either, but it was comforting to know he’d be there when needed, long after I was pushing daisies even. Are you sure there’s no junior to take command of the controls a la Henson and Blanc?
This is almost as upsetting as when I found out Iron Eyes Cody wasn’t a fellow Indian, and a bit more so than first hearing the news that Pluto is no longer a planet and Chris no longer a Saint. (As to the latter, what on earth could the DEAD possibly do to lose their luster like that?) Anyway, harsh world, my friend.
It’s perfect that people can take the loan moreover, that opens completely new possibilities.
I was also an avid listener, during the 80’s though. Barnes and Barnes fish heads was a favorite as well as Kinko the kid loving clown. I admit this only since you came out about it yourself. Just to let you know you’re not alone.