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Post by slf on Jan 25, 2019 18:14:20 GMT -5
The many recent comments made about Cheech & Chong's record "Sister Mary Elephant" (one of them submitted by me) has got me thinking. This unconventional 70's hit is unique in that there is absolutely nothing musical about it. Other (in)famous "spoken word" hits of the time, like "Americans", "Once You Understand", and C & C 's other '74 hit "Earache My Eye" have some singing, instrumental background, or a musical segment. But "Elephant" is completely devoid of any music. Offhand, I can't think of any other Top 40 hit in the rock era that fits that description. (I can think of a few examples outside of the Top 40: MLK's abbreviated "I Have A Dream" speech, and a couple of comedy routines by Hudson & Landry.) Can any of you think of another non-musical Top 40 hit?
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Post by slf on Jan 25, 2019 18:28:46 GMT -5
Don't Worry, Be Happy.... No, although the arrangement is sparse, Bobby McFerrin does sing an actual melody (although some of his lyrics are spoken). And I definitely would count the whistling as actual music. |
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Post by at40petebattistini on Jan 25, 2019 19:28:11 GMT -5
The only one I can think of likely pre-dates nearly every member here ... a 1961 hit called "The Astronaut" by Jose Jimenez.
And just missing, reaching #43 in 1971, "Ajax Liquor Store" by Hudson & Landry.
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Post by 80sat40fan on Jan 25, 2019 20:02:46 GMT -5
"King Heroin" by James Brown. Two weeks at #40 in April '72. No singing... just him talking (with background music).
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Post by pb on Jan 25, 2019 20:05:06 GMT -5
For the few people who like "Sister Mary Elephant," here is another Cheech & Chong track that reached #54, with a few minor musical bits in the background, but mostly them talking.
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Post by johnnywest on Jan 26, 2019 23:43:13 GMT -5
What about that record by Bill Cosby that was played on the very first show, but cut out by Premiere?
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Post by mga707 on Jan 27, 2019 0:40:55 GMT -5
What about that record by Bill Cosby that was played on the very first show, but cut out by Premiere? If it was "Little Ole Man" (#4 in 1967), that has plenty of music on it--the backing track is the music of Stevie Wonder's "Uptight". Assume that would have to be it, as Cosby had no other top 40 hits. |
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