do they make you smile ?
October 5, 2010 4:14 AM   Subscribe

I'd like to learn and sing traditional English songs with a twist. I mean funny songs.

In order to expand my database of songs, and to be able to introduce kids to the joy of singing with a smile, I would like to know traditional - or not so traditional - songs with a humorous content from all over the English-speaking world.
posted by nicolin to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: These might be more for your database than the kids.

Also, Tom Lehrer.
posted by Ahab at 4:18 AM on October 5, 2010


Best answer: I think you're looking for Flanders and Swann.

They aren't nearly as much a part of tradition as they deserve to be, but I listened to a couple of their tapes incessantly when I was little and loved them, in spite of my not understanding all of the lyrics.

Here's one more, for luck!
posted by d11 at 5:19 AM on October 5, 2010


Best answer: You must know about this one!
It's delicious to sing as a "lullaby" whilst the relatives are passing the new baby around....turns the mom's hair white instantly.
posted by BostonTerrier at 5:32 AM on October 5, 2010


Best answer: The most prolific source of humorous music in the English language is Weird Al Yankovic, and much of his work actually is extremely funny, although there are a lot of in-jokes involved (it helps to have some familiarity with the original material that he likes to satirize).
posted by grizzled at 5:49 AM on October 5, 2010


Best answer: Les Barker has written many wonderful comic poems, some of which have also been put to music, though I can't find any online, but you might have better luck.

Even if you can't find the musical versions, his poems are so lyrical, funny and charming, I couldn't resist the temptation to give them a plug. Guide cats for the blind - ahhh :)
posted by penguin pie at 11:44 AM on October 5, 2010


Seconding Tom Lehrer, although some of his music is definitely not kid-appropriate, and some of it is pretty high context in terms of the politics of the time.
posted by runaway ballista at 5:29 PM on October 5, 2010


Best answer: Oh, and how could I forget? Roy Bailey is an English folk singer who's written at least two albums of songs for kids.
posted by penguin pie at 5:33 AM on October 6, 2010


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