Parodies’ Paradise: 1975 “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”

The original was delivered on John Denver’s 1974 album Back Home Again… the live version on his 1975 album An Evening with John Denver–released as a single and went to No. 1 on both the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts… topped both charts for one week each, first the country chart (on May 31), and the Hot 100 chart a week later… one of six songs released in 1975 that topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Country Singles charts.

[digressive shout out to hardcore parodist and Italian guitar banger Il Magico Mitico Ale who churned out a couple dozen parodeus-es to–mostly Italian aria–songs in ’16. Many are unintelligible and forced, but his whimsical take on “Take Me Home, Country Roads” the ’71 Denver #2 hit stands out.]

Now make room for Jolly Joel Kopishke to show you a true Santa believer in “Thank God I’m a Santa Boy.”

Parodies’ Paradise: 1974 “Cat’s in the Cradle”

Storyteller Harry Chapin’s enduring hit topped the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1974… his only No. 1 hit song… nominated for the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance… inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.

Saturated with symphonic folk ApologetiX nails it with “Christ in the Stable.” Appreciate me now, Dad?!

Parodies’ Paradise: 1974 “Takin’ Care of Business”

Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s anthem reached number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100… number 6 on the Cash Box Top 100…  number 3 on the Canadian RPM charts… spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, longer than any other BTO single.

Here comes the original singer Randy Bachman with his seasonal cash-in “Takin’ Care of Christmas.”

Parodies’ Paradise: 1973 “Money”

Pink Floyd’s single became the band’s first hit in the United States… reached No. 10 in Cash Box magazine… No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100… noted for its unusual 7/4–4/4 time signature, and the tape loop of money-related sound effects.

Despite the obvious tie in to Xmas shopping, Mike Wallace makes a merry masterpiece with “Christmas Money.” He’s gifted.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1973 “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”

This Bob Dylan reinvention for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart… one of Dylan’s most popular post-1960s compositions… the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.

Buzhard Dakota leans into the grace and soul of it with “Knockin’ on Santa’s Door.” More pretty than funny.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1972 “Walk on the Wild Side”

Lou Reed’s journey of seediness peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts… in the United States, RCA released the single using an edited version of the song without the reference to oral sex… in the UK, the reference slipped past the censors, who were apparently unfamiliar with the term ‘giving head’… the term ‘colored girls’ was also an issue in the US and RCA provided radio stations with a version in which it was edited out.

The Blenders get pretty damn funny with their “Sleigh Ride.” And a cappella, too. Damn.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1972 “Me and Mrs. Jones”

Billy Paul’s only #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100… for three weeks… also achieved this feat on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart… for four weeks.

Kevin and Bean featured someone by the band handle MMM with a raunchy “Me and Mrs. Claus” back in 1997.

Bob Rivers handles his ’02 samey with masterful soul. “Me and Mrs. Claus” underplays the wacky and turns up the wit. Nice.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1971/1985 “Jealous Guy”

John Lennon’s introspective wandering was released on the Imagine album in 1971… not released as a single until November 1985, five years after Lennon’s murder, and (four-and-a-half years after Roxy Music’s cover hit number one)… the single reached number 65 in the UK charts… in the United States, the single reached number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100… also peaked at number 22 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart.

Let’s give Duncan G and Brian the benefit of doubt here taking an odd hit and making it high concept about a regular guy apologizing to St. Nick for his bad roof conditions in their “Careless Guy.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_miZ7f-dNbQ

Parodies’ Paradise: 1971 “Iron Man”

Black Sabbath’s single peaked at number 52 on The Billboard Hot 100… VH1 ranked the song as the greatest heavy metal song of all time…  Rolling Stone awarded it spot number 317 on the list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Bob Rivers makes this the star of his parodies with Ozzy vocals and elegant reverb. Ladies and gentlemen, “I am Santa Claus.”