Two two two songs in one: What's this album name?

June 25, 2008 2:50 PM

Name that tune

Know any album for which lyrics of one song are laid over the melody of another?

My Australian ex made a cassette of *that* album, whatever it is, and we listened to it several times when I was overseas and visiting 6+ years ago. I'll be jiggered if I can locate either the name or the album. Not sure if it was an oz-specific compilation; I checked with ex -- she doesn't remember anymore. Both the lyrics and tunes were from popular 70-80s rock tunes. I don't remember the specifics of those either but at the time I recall thinking 'hey cool, I know that/those songs.

Bonus gold star stickers awarded if someone can tell me where to go to buy it.

posted by mcbeth to media & arts (11 comments total)

mcbeth, I'm not sure if you're talking about fresh performances, in which a group re-records songs using the lyrics from one over the melody of another, or if you're talking about "mash-ups," which are remixes of existing tracks.

If it's the latter, perhaps what you're looking for is The Best Bootlegs in the World, Ever.
posted by macrone at 2:58 PM on June 25

There are tons of Mashup albums like that. One of the more well known ones is The Grey Album by DJ Danger Mouse, which has Jay-Z lyrics on top of Beatles music. Along those same lines, there's also Jay-Zeezer and The Blackest Album (Jazy-Z and Metallica's Black AlbumM's.

As for buying what your friend had made, I'd be surprised if you can buy it anywhere.

I wish I could help more, but you've given me almost nothing to work with.
posted by theichibun at 3:00 PM on June 25

One of the more well known ones is The Grey Album by DJ Danger Mouse, which has Jay-Z lyrics on top of Beatles music. Along those same lines, there's also Jay-Zeezer and The Blackest Album (Jazy-Z and Metallica's Black AlbumM's.

None of those have both music and lyrics from popular 70s and 80s rock songs.
posted by 23skidoo at 3:13 PM on June 25

I didn't know there IS different terminology, but at least I now know that what I'm trying to find is a mashup (thanks, macrone). From what blessedly little I remember the singers were the originals, not covers. The tracks from one (original original singer/band) laid directly over the track for another tune.

Yeah, sorry about that theichibun. Seriously little to go on.
(note to self: next time smoke less vacation herb).
posted by mcbeth at 3:14 PM on June 25

Dsico: Australian (I think) and does mashups, I'm just not sure if it's what you're looking for. I seem to remember that he did some 80s song stuff, but I haven't listened in forever. Good luck.
posted by sleepy pete at 3:17 PM on June 25

Could it have been a "stars on 45" or "jive bunny and mastermixers" album? They had original singers do constant-mix/medley pieces of pop tracks. Several are on youtube.
posted by nomisxid at 3:31 PM on June 25

The Avalanches are Australian, and their music consists exclusively of samples from all eras. They have an album, released in 2000, that you can buy in stores.

However, the song structures don't match what you describe -- they're more collages than one track on top of the other. Here's an (awesome!) video, in case you want to make sure they're not what you're looking for.
posted by gnomeloaf at 4:22 PM on June 25

Here's a band that does mashup songs from the 80's and 90's. I saw them last year at the Folsom Street Fair and they rocked.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 5:25 PM on June 25

How about the Kleptones' "A Night at the Hip-Hopera", which is a mix of Queen's A Night at the Opera and classic Hip Hop? It's my favorite mash-up album.
posted by Raymond Marble at 7:25 PM on June 25

Knowing what songs you recognized would help in figuring out whether they were mashups or megamixes.
posted by rhizome at 10:59 PM on June 25

Oh goodness. I had no idea there were so many.

Gnomechef, I checked out that video. You're right -- awesome. I was diggin' the cut-off t-shirt.

I'll start piling through all these suggestions and see if anything clicks.
Thanks all.
posted by mcbeth at 11:20 PM on June 26