Category: rock

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967 “Purple Haze”

Jimi Hendrix’s second record single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience hit in several countries… UK Official Singles Chart at #3, Us Billboard Hot 100 at #65… #7 in Austria and Norway charts…  (it was many people’s first exposure to Hendrix’s psychedelic rock sound)… inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame… included on lists of the greatest guitar songs, including at number two by Rolling Stone and number one by Q magazine.

ApologetiX has got this with “Excuse Me, Pal, It’s Christmastime.” Boys can PLAY.

Give Bob Rivers some space for his “Holiday (‘Scuse Me I’ve Got Gifts to Buy).” It’s quite hectic.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967 “Incense and Peppermints”

Strawberry Alarm Clock reached the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 with this single… sixteen weeks on the charts… gold plated by RIAA…. failed to break into the UK Singles Chart.

The ’60s Invasion keeps double entendre drug rock alive with “Incense and Chia Pets” dedicated to stocking stuffer nonsense gifts. Love ’em.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967/9 “Get Together”

The Kingston Trio championed this song, but The Youngbloods made it a minor Hot 100, peaking at #62 and reaching #37 on the US adult contemporary chart… sales increased again when it was used in a radio public service announcement for the National Conference of Christians and Jews… the most-remembered version was a re-release in 1969, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The ’60s Invasion inventory Xmas traditions to this tune resulting in “Come on People (Have a Merry Christmas).” It does the job.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1966 “Mother’s Little Helpers”

The Rolling Sones’ wry indictment of valium overuse by oppressed housewives first appeared as the opening track to the United Kingdom version of their 1966 album Aftermath. It was released as a single in the United States and peaked at #8 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1966. 

Send up the drug references! Balderdash & Humbug give voice to the overworked elves with “Santa’s Little Helpers.” Won’t you care?

Parodies’ Paradise: 1966 “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”

This quintessential Bob Dylan number first appeared on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde… the 1976 single is the live version where he’d worked out the timing better concurrent with Hard Rain… never charted, although some of the later covers did well.

Anti-Cool goes the distance for “Stuck Inside the North Pole Blues.”

Parodies’ Paradise: 1965 “Dirty Water”

The Standells’ first major hit single landed on the Cash Box charts and peaked at #8… reached #11 on the Billboard singles charts… dedicated to Boston’s Charles River, the song is beloved by the city of Boston and its sports fans… oddly the song first became a hit in the state of Florida.

The ’60s Invasion take us to Grandma’s house because “I Love to Go to Grandma’s House.” More pollution reference?!

Parodies’ Paradise: 1965 “Get Off of My Cloud”

The Stones could do no wrong back the ’60s. After ‘Satisfaction’ they released this major success reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100–remained there for two weeks… stayed at No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for three weeks.

Bob Rivers goes Sinatra pastiche with the lounge lizard spin “Hey You! Get Off of My House!” Why!? Seth McFarland, sure, but why Bob?

The ’60s Invasion play in more Stones-ish with “Hey Dude (Get off of My Roof).” That’s more sensible.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1965 “Woolly Bully”

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs spun up a worldwide success, selling three million copies and reaching No. 2 on the American Hot 100 chart… the first American record to sell a million copies during the British Invasion… stayed in the Hot 100 for a then-impressive 18 weeks… nominated for a Grammy Award… named Billboard’s “Number One Record of the Year” despite never reaching No. 1 on a weekly Hot 100… certified as gold by the RIAA.

The 60’s Invasion have some wintery fun with “Merry Christmas” looking out for Santa Claus. What’d Hattie say?