Comedy/Novelty Songs of the '60s Quiz

Answer: An old string vest

"My Old Man's A Dustman" was written by Lonnie Donegan/Peter Buchanan/Beverly Thorn, (a pseudonym of Leslie Bricusse). It was number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Lonnie Donegan in 1960.

This verse contains the three items of clothing mentioned in the song:

"My Old Man's A Dustman, he wears a dustman's hat
He wears cor blimey trousers and he lives in a council flat
He looks a propa 'nana in his great big hobnail boots
He′s got such a job to pull 'em up that he calls 'em daisy roots".

"My Old Man's A Dustman" was also number one in Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. It was recorded live at the Gaumont cinema in Doncaster, England. It is a cleaned up version of a risque old pub song called "What Do You Think About That".

Although it wasn't a hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Lonnie Donegan was the first British male singer to have two top ten hits on the Billboard Top/Hot 100. "Rock Island Line" (number eight in 1956) and "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor On The Bedpost Over Night", (number five in 1961).

Answer: A boomerang

"My Boomerang Won't Come Back" was written by Max Diamond/Charlie Drake. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart for Charlie Drake in 1961. It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. The record was produced by George Martin (of future world-wide fame with The Beatles).

Charlie Drake was born Charles Edward Springall in 1925 in the Elephant and Castle, Southwark, London. After serving in the R.A.F. during WWII he made his television début in 1953 in "The Centre Show". His first hit on the UK Singles Chart was a cover version of the Bobby Darin song "Splish Splash" which peaked at number seven in 1958. He appeared in many TV shows up until the 1970s but is probably best known for the comedy show "The Worker" 1965 - 1970.

Answer: Wendy Richard

"Come Outside" written by Charles Blackwell was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Mike Sarne featuring Wendy Richard in 1962.

"Come Outside" was supposed to be a solo performance but Wendy Richard (a secretary for the record producer Robert Stigwood at the time) was heard making comments during the production. Stigwood decided to put her on the recording as a foil to singer/actor/director Mike Sarne.

Wendy Richard went on to greater fame when portraying Miss Shirley Brahms in "Are You Being Served", (1972-1985) and Pauline Fowler in "Eastenders" (1985-2006).

Answer: Green stamps

"Speedy Gonzales" was written by Buddy Kaye/Ethel Lee/David Hill. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 for Pat Boone in 1962. It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

The original version by David Dante was released in 1961 but did not register on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Pat Boone version the plaintive voice of a young Mexican girl was supplied by Robin Ward and the voice of Speedy Gonzales was supplied by Mel Blanc.

Starting in 1955, Pat Boone had numerous top ten hits on the Billboard Top/Hot 100, (which included five number one hits). "Speedy Gonzales" was Pat Boone's last top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Tea

"Right, Said Fred" written by Ted Dicks/Myles Rudge peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart for Bernard Cribbins in 1962.

Songwriter Ted Dicks got the idea for the song after what happened when he employed some people to move a piano that he had bought. The song was recorded at the Abbey Road studios and produced by Johnnie Spence with sound effects added by producer George Martin who would later become famous with the Fab Four.

In 1989 the Fairbrass brothers, Fred and Richard, formed the band Right Said Fred which was named after this song. They had a number one hit with "I'm Too Sexy" in 32 counties in 1991 but in their home country it was number two for six weeks on the UK Singles Chart. It was kept off the top spot by "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams, which was number one for 16 weeks.

Answer: Igor

The "Monster Mash" was written by Bobby Pickett/Lenny Capizzi. It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Bobby 'Boris' Pickett And The Crypt Kickers in 1962. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1973.

"(Wa-ooh) The scene was rocking, all were digging the sounds
(Wa-ooh) Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
(Wa-wa-ooh) The coffin-baggers were about to arrive
(Wa-ooh) With their vocal group, The Crypt-Kicker Five"

"Monster Mash" has become somewhat of a phenomenon, appearing in the charts many times. In 2021, nearly 60 years after its release in 1962, it peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. Even in 2023 the song generated $1,000,000 in annual royalties.

Answer: If it stops raining

"Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter From Camp)" was written by Amilcare Ponchielli/Allan Sherman/Lou Busch. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for Allan Sherman in 1963. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Hello Muddah, hello Fadduh!
Here I am at Camp Grenada
Camp is very entertaining
And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining."

A sequel with the same tune (Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours") was recorded by Allan Sherman on the "Johnny Carson Tonight Show" on May 27 1964 and peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Answer: Richard III

"A Hard Day's Night" was written by John Lennon but credited to Lennon/McCartney. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart for Peter Sellers in 1965.

Peter Sellers' version of "A Hard Day's Night" was produced by The Beatles' producer George Martin and released on the same record label as The Beatles' records, Parlophone. In the video for the song Peter Sellers is acting in the style of Laurence Olivier, as Richard III.

The record was re-issued in 1993 and peaked at number 52 on the UK Singles Chart. Peter Sellers reached the UK Top Ten in 1960 when "Goodness Gracious Me" (a duet with actress Sophia Loren) peaked at number four.

Answer: Onions

"I Love Onions" written by John Hill and David Cochrane, and was released in
April of 1966 and sung by Susan Christie. Christie uses a very breathy soft voice while singing until the last verse which is spoken in an Elmer Fudd type of voice (not Mel Blanc). Both kazoos and harmonicas are used along with backup singers.

The song's highest charting was in Canada where it reached number 19; it hit number 63 on The Billboard Hot 100 Chart, it did not chart in the UK. The song was used in the ad campaign for the debut of "Funyuns" snack food.

Information supplied by my teammate deakaunt.

Answer: His dog

"They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha-Haaa!" was written and sung by N. Bonaparte aka Jerry Samuels and was released in July of 1966. The listener is led to believe he's losing his mind over the loss of his lover but in truth it's because his dog has run away!

The song hit number three on the Billboard Top 100 Chart and number four on the UK Singles Chart. It was reissued in 1973 but only reached number 87 on The Billboard Hot 100.

On the released single the B-side was the song played in reverse with the label a mirror image of the A-side label.

Information supplied by my teammate deakaunt.