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(You Dyed Your Hair) Chartreuse isn’t the best known Louis Jordan song, nor would I even rank it as one of his best. That being said, it’s still a lot better than so many other songs out there.

The subject matter is a little dated–after all, dyeing one’s hair Chartreuse these days would be somewhat tame–but it’s still got a nice, gentle humor that’s quite enjoyable. Also there’s a bit of wistfulness at innocence lost as well, as the narrator casts a nostalgic eye on the young lady in question, back to the days when her hair was black and she loved ginger-ale.

You can listen to the song below:

And of course, the lyrics:

You’re a freckled gal,
You’re a pug-nosed cutey, sweet as Charlotte Russe
You’ve got big blue eyes,
So I ask you why have you dyed your hair chartreuse?

Chartreuse (chartreuse)
Chartreuse (chartreuse)
Though you think it’s mighty cute
Just wait ’til I write and tell your ma
That you dyed your hair chartreuse
Chartreuse (chartreuse)
Chartreuse (chartreuse)
Though you think it’s mighty cute
But just wait ’til I write and tell your ma
You didn’t like black, you didn’t like red
You hated blondes, well, it’s no use
You got mad and dyed your hair…
Chartreuse

Fun. Fun with a capital ‘F’. Fun. That’s Punk Rock Girl for you.

A satirical love song about the relationship of two ‘anarchists’, this song is just plain fun. It’s a great song to sing badly, great fun for karaoke (I suppose for some people that’s one and the same), great fun to dance to, great fun to listen to.

Did I mention that it’s fun?

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

One Saturday I took a walk to Zipperhead
I met a girl there and she almost knocked me dead

Punk rock girl
You look so wild
Punk rock girl
Let’s have a child
We’ll name her Minnie Pearl
Just you and me
Eat fudge banana swirl
Just you and me
We’ll travel round the world
Just you and me
Punk rock girl

Ah yes, this song.

Okay, this is just plain fun, primarily because of the delivery of the spoken word lyrics. The singer’s attitude comes out in a major way, and it’s just plain fun. The song is pretty funny too. Just one of those fun eighties throw-away songs, but I think it’s still fun to listen to now.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore….
I was walking up Broadway you know
and there’s this incredible looking Swedish girl having a
Cappuccino across the street from Lincoln Center, I started
talking to her you know - She said her name was Lola,
Her English wasn’t too good you know - but we wound up spending
about 5 hours together just hanging out you know.
So We go back to my place - we get high - we get really into each other man.
It was love about to happen…I’m serious.
And then all of a sudden she gets up and she says, she says “Hey, I really gotta leave”
Damn
A E I O U Sometimes Y
There are 178 parent languages on our planet with over 1000 dialects…
It’s amazing we communicate at all.
Languages and dialects - with this one thing in common:
A E I O U Sometimes Y
Ahhh!
A E I O U A E I O U A E I O U A E I O U
Sometimes Y!!
But you know I was really flipped out you know and she asked me
if I’m angry or something I said of course I’m angry man this
isn’t high school or anything you know so I’m feeling really
cavalier and I say ah…call me if you want to…
huh, yeah…call me if you want to
So she rang me up and she says, “Hey! Do you wanna go out?”
Huh, Do I wanna go out
A E I O U Sometimes Y
A E I O U Sometimes Y
Operator! Operator! What’s happening operator?!
Mommy? Mommy Mommy!! Where are you
Mommy? I can’t see you
I can’t see you Mommy!
All artists, potentially, are the victims of their desire to be unique
Just observe it
Don’t fight it
Work it. Work it. Work it. Work it. Work it.
Yeah she took me home man she threw me all
around the room man
I mean this chick was really hot she was nice
to me you know
She let me keep on my cowboy boots and everything…she was
Allright… oh! oh! yeah! oh! oh! oh! oh! ohhhhhh!!!
I dare you to play this record
A E I O U Sometimes Y
A E I O U Sometimes Y
Anyway so she took me home and she
splattered my brains
Yeah there I am there I am what happened what happened
Where was I oh here I am
I told her I wouldn’t sleep with her friends - she
Doesn’t sleep with my friends Anything else you do
You know…Don’t you tell me
Lola

Step Right Up is one of those great, funny songs that anyone can instantly identify with. We’ve all been pitched to our entire lives, and this song is particularly evocative of that fact. Waits’ gritty voice juxtaposed against the jazzy bass and saxaphone really bring it all off. A great song.

Here’s a link to a tribute video

And of course, the lyrics:

Step right up, step right up, step right up,
Everyone’s a winner, bargains galore
That’s right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar, one-tenth of a dollar, we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume, how ’bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady, something for the little lady,
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar
We got a year-end clearance, we got a white sale
And a smoke-damaged furniture, you can drive it away today
Act now, act now, and receive as our gift, our gift to you
They come in all colors, one size fits all
No muss, no fuss, no spills, you’re tired of kitchen drudgery
Everything must go, going out of business, going out of business
Going out of business sale
Fifty percent off original retail price, skip the middle man
Don’t settle for less
How do we do it? how do we do it? volume, volume, turn up the volume
Now you’ve heard it advertised, don’t hesitate
Don’t be caught with your drawers down,
Don’t be caught with your drawers down
You can step right up, step right up

‘Cause it forges your signature
If not completely satisfied, mail back unused portion of product
For complete refund of price of purchase
Step right up
Please allow thirty days for delivery, don’t be fooled by cheap imitations
You can live in it, live in it, laugh in it, love in it
Swim in it, sleep in it,
Live in it, swim in it, laugh in it, love in it
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets, that’s right
And it entertains visiting relatives, it turns a sandwich into a banquet
Tired of being the life of the party?
Change your shorts, change your life, change your life
Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy, get rid of your wife,
And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax
Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack, see you later alligator
See you later alligator
And it steals your car
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking
It’s a friend, and it’s a companion,
And it’s the only product you will ever need
Follow these easy assembly instructions it never needs ironing
Well it takes weights off hips, bust, thighs, chin, midriff,
Gives you dandruff, and it finds you a job, it is a job
And it strips the phone company free take ten for five exchange,
And it gives you denture breath
And you know it’s a friend, and it’s a companion
And it gets rid of your traveler’s checks
It’s new, it’s improved, it’s old-fashioned
Well it takes care of business, never needs winding,
Never needs winding, never needs winding
Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis,
Christ, you don’t know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy,
C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon
‘Cause it’s effective, it’s defective, it creates household odors,
It disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection
It gives you an erection, it wins the election
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It’s a redeemable coupon, no obligation, no salesman will visit your home
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot, prizes, prizes, prizes, all work guaranteed
How do we do it, how do we do it, how do we do it, how do we do it
We need your business, we’re going out of business
We’ll give you the business
Get on the business end of our going-out-of-business sale
Receive our free brochure, free brochure
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, batteries not included
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available,
Step right up, step right up, step right up
You got it buddy: the large print giveth, and the small print taketh away
Step right up, you can step right up, you can step right up
C’mon step right up
(Get away from me kid, you bother me…)
Step right up, step right up, step right up, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon
Step right up, you can step right up, c’mon and step right up,
C’mon and step right up

Camel Walk is a funny song with a great guitar line, perhaps more psychobilly than rockabilly, but either works. The lyrics are really amusing, and I love the guitar lines. It’s also nice that it’s such an upbeat, fun song–a celebration of–well, various things that make men and women happy.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Baby, Would you eat that there snack cracker
In your special outfit for me, please?
owwwWEEEEE!

Say, you don’t think there’s any way I could get that quarter
From underneath your pointy boot, do ya?
All I want is just one more oatmeal pie.
OWWWW WEEE, Little Debbie, Little Debbie
I’m a comin on home, baby, ’cause you make me wanna walk
Like a camel, OWWWW WEEE!

I Wanna Be A Flintstone is a funny song that rocks. It’s got a great rockabilly beat, it’s funny, and it’s catchy. I love the ending the best, as lead singer Bill Carter improvises some simple one liners that make things cute and amusing.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I wander around in the twilight zone
A little baby Flintstone all on my own
I wander around in the twilight zone
A little baby Flintstone all on my own

Oh boy

Teen Angst rocks. It’s also humorous too. The lyrics really do a great job of giving a sarcastic look at what’s really going on in the minds of most angsty youth–what they really want is fast cars, everything to go their way, and to get laid. Pretty much the same ambitions of all teens over the last millennium.

The song does indeed rock, but it’s also catchy, and you can sing along to it or dance to it or both. It’s just a fun song to play at a party or sing in the kitchen at 3am at the same party.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I don’t know what the world may need,
But I’m sure as hell that is starts with me.
And that’s a wisdom,
I’ve laughed at.

Cause what the world needs now
Is a new Frank Sinatra
so I can get you in bed.
Cause what the world needs now
Is another folk singer
Like I need a hole in my head.

—————-
Now playing: America - Sister Golden Hair
via FoxyTunes

Waitress is a funny song,but also a bit of a warning about letting your work define you. The song is about a woman who’s become obsessed with her job, so much so that she can no longer enjoy parties, has nightmares about her job, and possibly offers extra favors to regulars who are “nice” to her. Of course, I could be completely off base here as well, as it could just be a cute little song.

The song has a nice quirky, slightly jazzy feel, and it flows nicely within itself. It’s a fun listen, and you can check it out below:

And of course, the lyrics:

I have to clear your table
I wipe it
It’s right to keep it clean
So I clean
Yes — I clean
Do you clean?
Yes — I clean it

… And I’d probably
Be famous now
If I wasn’t
Such a good waitress…

I love this song’s blues guitar stylings, as well as the chorus. I also really enjoy Frontalot’s stilted rapping, as well as the sardonic lyrics of this song, about a preacher stating that not only is his congregation and religion the correct one, but the only way to save the world is to convert everyone to his ideas–seems pretty familiar to me.

Here’s a link to a live performance

And of course, the lyrics:

Congregation, settle in your seats.
The Reverend Front Aloud is on the mic and about to speak.
I’m about to freak you out, make you shiver in the pew
while I’m delivering to you my sermon and divinity ensues,
brought by the one true God. It’s a fact:
anybody else who ever had a God, their God’s wack.
We ain’t got to worry about ‘em; we picked the right horse.
You’re in the right house of worship (of course),
and forces are gathering out in the world
to diminish our faith in ways radical and thorough,
to discourage us from loving anything that’s immaterial,
to tempt our children with ever fruitier cereal,
and worst of all, to call us idiots while they do it.
My congregation, listen; I’m about to walk you through it.
We’re going to take the nation back from the heathens that’s within it.
We’re gonna get the most egregious of the atheists imprisoned,
cause a schism while we’re at it, but emerge on top,
and once we’ve purified our ranks we won’t stop —
we’ll purify your minds of what’s illegitimately thought.
It’s not to be a battle indiscriminately fought,
but an orchestrated effort, and I’m gonna need you to commit.
Might take a couple generations for this deviltry to quit.
Start with the kids — in fact, they get distracted from the Lord —
so I’d like you to write a couple letters to your school board.

And what has this so-called science ever done for us
but trumpeted that when ashes go to ashes & dust to dust,
despite the fuss of living, energy gets conserved.
Denying the weight of the soul of a man: this is ill deserved.
This is still the curse of Copernicus that we suffer.
Secular thought ought not to overflow its buffer
and run roughshod through the minds of you, the population.
Heretics such as Dawkins and Sagan overstep their station
to say that what we see and what we believe should be confluent.
Look to your Reverend to end apostasy — that’s what I’m doing!
Look to your Holy Book to light the way; that is its purpose.
Open it up and you’ll find Eden ‘fore you even scratch the surface.
And sure, this should be mirrored in the textbooks verbatim
but I’m not in a position yet to issue ultimatum.
So I lay down my scheme: we’ll make it seem as though creation
isn’t anything we’d like to interject to education.
We’ll wrangle up the language: science, data, theorem,
the irreducible complexity of the ears we use to hear ‘em
gnashing teeth and wailing from Kansas to PA.
Yes, my flock, I talk of futures not imminent but underway.
Already established an Institute for Discovery.
Discovered that Darwin is dead with outlook grim for recovery.
Schoolmarms will soon say that he burns in a fiery sea.
Think how much like paradise that’s gonna be.

This is a great song, and the video is even better. If you’ve not seen it before, I definitely recommend clicking the link below.

I love the sense of humor of this song, as well as the genre styles of the band. Alternating from rock and funk to a bluegrass feel at times, this song is just plain fun. It’s your basic silly Primus song, seemingly about nothing other than a humorous double entendré, but it’s still got a depth of it’s own from within the music.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Wynona’s got herself a Big Brown Beaver
and she shows it off to all her friends.
One day you know that beaver tried to leave her
so she caged him up with cyclone fence.
Along came Lou with the old baboon
and said “recognize that smell?”
“Smells like seven layers,
that beaver eats at Taco Bell.”

Wynona took her Big Brown Beaver and
stuck ‘em up in the air.
Said, “I sure do love this Big Brown Beaver,
and I wish I did have a pair.”
Wynona loved her Big Brown Beaver
and she stroked ‘em all the time.
She pricked her finger one day,
and it ocured to her:
She might have a porcupine!