Ever since I saw the movie Raising Arizona, I’ve wanted to grow up to be a ‘good ol’ boy: a bastion of down-to-earth wisdom; and unlike this sentence, impervious to pretension— just like the Nice Old Grocery Man played by Charles ‘Lew’ Smith in the movie. All these songs remind me of that untraditional goal for a little girl, and that always puts me in a good mood, like this joke from Raising Arizona:
1 Enormous Penis by DaVinci’s Notebook
https://youtu.be/ZqR_SwwByMM?si=mmSyAAq6elDpKFWr
The Bob and Tom Show was a very popular American morning talk radio show in the 80’s and 90’s that I heard bits and pieces of growing up usually via the car radio. The first time I heard this song, Da Vinci’s Notebook were appearing on the show. I was having a pretty bad day at work and feeling powerless. That same day friend emailed this song to me, and it just made my day better, the way an enormous penis should. It’s a great song to start the day.
2. Toast by Haywood Banks (Live at the Comedy Connection)
https://youtu.be/SHptn_3RyYE?si=NIUC4u6PMqIyAAZn
This is another song that appeared on The Bob and Tom Show and Haywood plays this song on a toaster with a fork and spoon. There is something about an old man screaming about his love for toast that is so refreshingly silly. It also makes me want toast.
3. 18 Wheels on a Big Rig by Heywood Banks
https://youtu.be/Xy_0u08C_ak?si=BmcF0py1KO3lN_DY
Another song by Heywood. This is a silly song you can sing with the whole family, especially if they have trouble counting because they won’t feel alone. I dare you to try to sing along and not smile. It’s impossible!
4. Beer Run by Tom Snider
https://youtu.be/rxGbwiV4Mo8?si=JN88dmdXzjIC0ucA
This is one of the catchiest songs with a very simple, embarrassingly relatable story. I often sing this song to myself on actual beer runs. I’ve never run into anyone that knew this song that I didn’t get along with.
5. Jesus Jenny by Ashley McBride and Aaron Raitiere
https://youtu.be/JRAXvmYfLng?si=NwiI38Nk6qxTEX6u
This is one of those songs about at least one person you know that’s ripping through life like a tornado. It’s the exasperation in the chorus that gets me every time.
6. Alex Jones Rants as an Indie Folk Song by Nick Lutsko
https://youtu.be/KGAAhzreGWw?si=x_ubZO_RHmXs2otK
I used to be in a Christian cult that talked a lot about spiritual warfare, demon possession and evil liberals. This is all language that Alex Jones spews so well, like he’s Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone. I love how Lutsko has managed to capture the poetic flow of his rants while also highlighting this flimflam artists’ insanity and dishonesty with such a soothing tune. Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or cry with this song but either one makes me feel better after.
BTW, if you want to see my new Edinburgh show about my time in a Christian cult—I’ll be at the Pleasance Courtyard in the Beside every day at the festival except the 13th doing Spring Day: Exvangelical. Click here for tickets.