Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – Mar 03, 2024
In the 50s, 60s, and 70s, single releases on 45s, where humor was the number one purpose, often found their way onto the pop charts. Categorized as novelty records, they appealed to both teenagers and their parents.
These light-hearted recordings had the ability to put smiles on people’s faces and were a welcomed distraction on our favorite radio stations.
In 1966 a novelty folk song made its way onto the Billboard Hot 100. Perhaps it was its quirkiness that kept it on the charts for eight straight weeks.
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Anytime a song starts off with a kazoo followed by some crazy lyrics, you know you’re in for a good ride.
The song was recorded by a singer who studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and ended up collaborating on a number of music initiatives with producer/director John Hill. Written by Hill and David Cochrane, the song cost $700 to produce and was amazingly picked up by Columbia Records.
Although the song stalled at #63 position on the Billboard pop charts, it was a regional Top 10 hit peaking at #2 in Fort Worth (TX), #3 in Edmonton (AB), #5 in Toronto, #9 in Hamilton (ON) and Seattle, #10 in Kingston (ON), and #13 in Buffalo. On the RPM Canadian Singles Chart it reached the #19 position. The song also played on several episodes of the children’s TV show Captain Kangaroo.
It has a catchy, unconventional sound reminiscent of the 1920s featuring a combination of breathy Marilyn Monroe type vocals blended with a chorus of kazoo, harmonica, and backup singers. To add to the quirkiness, the last line is delivered Elmer Fudd style.
Adapted for several television ads, including a 1980 Turtles Chocolate commercial, here is Susan Christie with her novelty one-hit wonder, “I Love Onions,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube video of this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5EqZ_VasBo
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
