Monday, April 8, 2024

Great (Novelty and Parody) Songs and Garden Goodness #MusicMovesMe #A to Z Challenge

 It's Monday it's G day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and it's time for music!

Who says I can't deviate from my own A to Z Theme?  I was going to do a history post today and  I'll do a little bit of history stuff at the end. 

Let's introduce the Music Moves me bloggers:  We blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post may be removed, or may  be labeled "No Music".  Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, we can blog on any music theme we want.  Today is a theme week, and it was chosen by lil' old me.  

Today's theme is by Cathy at Curious as a Cathy:  Novelty or Parody songs.

Because today is "G" day, all my songs or artists need to begin with G.  Let's start with someone some call the King of Novelty Songs and Comedy music, Dickie Goodman.  Goodman holds the record for Most Chart Entries for Comedy/Novelty Songs .  The only song I could find by him beginning with G was "Gerry Ford (A Special Report)" from 1973.

This was one of a number of interview songs where the interviewee answers using song clips.  It's political but in the spirit of fun so I hope you enjoy.

From 1969, Ray Stevens and his classic Guitarzan.

I'll end the music with several songs by Weird Al Yankovic (how could I not?) beginning with G.  Let's begin with his 1985 cover of George of the Jungle. Watch out for that tree!

Many of Weird Al's songs have a food theme, including "Grapefruit Diet".  This is a parody of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies song Zoot Suite Riot.

Ready for one more before a little dose of history?

 Finally, "Gump", a parody of "Lump" by Presidents of the United States.

Now, a little bit of history.  It looks like the gardens of a famous man, doesn't it?  Or at least someone who was rich?  You would be right, but it also represents an interesting (and somewhat frightening) part of our history.

This was part of the estate of one Samuel Untermyer in Yonkers, New York.  He was a prominent lawyer who was originally a corporate lawyer.  But he changed his focus and that included opposing Hitler at a time when pro-Hitler sentiment, and anti-Semitism, were running high in our country. The British called Mr. Untermyer "Hitler's Bitterest Foe".  

Earlier, he and his wife both supported woman's suffrage and donated substantial sums of money to that cause.

Untermyer once said, if he had to do it all over, he rather would have been the Parks Commissioner of New York City.  He loved gardens and horticulture so much.  At one time, this garden was considered one of the finest in the United States.  Now, it is almost unknown, except perhaps to the residents of Yonkers.  It is a city park now, and free for all to visit as restoration work on it continues.

Here are several photos from a 2023 visit to this historic garden that I've blogged about in several other A to Z Challenges.  I plan to blog about this spectacular garden again later in the Challenge.

"G" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  Gardens, History, Art and The Unexpected.

11 comments:

  1. ...novelty songs have always had appeal.

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  2. I had long forgotten the novelty song "Gerry Ford". I was quite surprised to find the rest of your set is new to me. WOW, good job and thanks for the introduction! That's an impressive garden in Yonkers. Too bad is lost its fame over the years. On the upside, it's now a place for anyone to visit at no cost. Good job. Have a groovy day, Alana!

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  3. I love how you managed to blend two themes with your novelty songs.

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  4. Very nice songs here. Weird Al is classic.

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  5. I've always enjoyed parody songs... good choices here. I also am writing in the A to Z. over here... https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/

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  6. Wonderful take on the letter G!

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  7. Love Weird Al and this garden looks so beautiful. What a shame about this man and what he had to deal with. My dad remembered this time so well and said that many people were all for Hitler. They looked at the surface and how that loon brought Germany back from the aftermath of WW1 plus brought on the modern freeway and Kindergarten ascwell as the Volkswagon. The people refused to look at the readin behind this plus what others were dealing with..anti Semitic, book burning, censorship. Actually, frightening now to be honest

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  8. Thanks for the garden photos. Visiting there is on my bucket list. Need to schedule it for this summer! Also, laughed out loud at the Grapefruit Diet song :-)

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  9. In my precoffee state I misread and thought the theme was G....but I see now I've done it wrong. Feel free to remove....Honestly. It's going to be one of those days!

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  10. Weird Al what more can I say and the others too all so clever! Well done mixing and matching your two prompts .
    Also I was very interested in Mr Samuel Untermyer story. Have a good week 💜💜

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