Although he gets a ton of praise as a deep lyricist, Bob Dylan wrote some pretty funny stuff on occasion.

Check out this verse from The Basement Tapes's "Million Dollar Bash":

Well, I looked at my watch
I looked at my wrist
Punched myself in the face
With my fist
I took my potatoes
Down to be mashed
Then I made it over
To that million dollar bash

My favorite funny Dylan might be "I Shall Be Free No. 10."

Another songwriter who's known for being incredibly dour but who has actually written some pretty damn funny stuff is Richard Thompson: "I Agree With Pat Metheny"

He's also done songs about Alexander Graham Bell and Madonna that are pretty funny. Can't seem to find them on YouTube.

Keep fulfilling stereotypes.

And no one has mention art brut yet?

or this clear example of satire

I'm going to go out on a limb and give credit to Weezer for making it cool to include humor in mainstream rock. they were sortof satirical even when they first started. They walked the line as Nerds pretending to really be Rock Stars, that really infact were Rock Stars... and Nerds too it turns out. But I think things like "The Sweater Song" and "Buddy Holly" were really poking fun at the rock persona.

Also, Weird Al. He's more about Humor than music most of the time, so he doesn't fit our discusion entirely. But you have to admit, he's been around since most of you were born, and for good reason. Also, he represents a slightly different form of satire.

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
Also, Weird Al. He's more about Humor than music most of the time, so he doesn't fit our discusion entirely. But you have to admit, he's been around since most of you were born, and for good reason. Also, he represents a slightly different form of satire.

I'll admit that when "Amish Paradise" came out I thought it was just about the best thing ever.

Looking at the Wikipedia article for Weird Al's most recent album, I see that one song is claimed to be a style parody of Sparks. Could this possibly be true? If so, I need to hear it immediately.

"Virus Alert"

That is actually not bad, even if it is about 30 years too late. I have a little more respect for Weird Al, now.

quote:

There are just too many unintentionally funny bands to be named, but I think that Shatner has to be their fearless captain...err leader.

UNintentionally? I think not.

I second The Magnetic Fields and Art Brut and add The Streets.
The precision in which he catches some nuances and subtleties in people's behaviour and interaction is fascinating and his writing is most of the time hilarious.

here's a great example

The history of musical comedy records consists largely of one-hit wonders, with a handful of artists like Allen Sherman and Tom Lehrer lasting for a few years. There is NOBODY whose career comes within a mile of Weird Al's. A telling comment on Al's importance came from Kurt Cobain, who said he knew he'd made in the music biz when Weird Al wanted to parody his "Smells Like Teen Spirit". I think Al belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (seriously!).

Primus

No-one's mentioned 'Tenacious D'!

I though Sublime were very funny - even when they were close to the bone so to speak.

"Me and my girl we got this relationship
I love her so bad but she treats me like...
On lock down like a penitentiary
She spreads her lovin' all over
And when she gets home there’s none left for me"

Not that it's particularly good as music, but does anyone remember MC Hawking?

quote:

Originally posted by jayfest:
I think Al belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (seriously!).

I agree.

There's really only one comedy band doing anything special right about now. Gentlemen (and women), your Spinal Tap for the new millenium:

www.MySpace.com/LazerTheBand

Anyone familiar with the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band?

I completely agree that the Bonzo Dog Band were very funny (at their best, funnier than Weird Al) and excellent musicians. But even so, they were only responsible for 5 albums (and the last one was kind of pathetic, largely a contractual obligation), not counting their recent 40th Anniversary re-grouping (the DVD concert of which I highly recommend). To me, though, only a few of their songs were satirical (Can Blue Men Sing the Whites, Canyons of Your Mind, MAYBE Beautiful Zelda). Most of their stuff was real songs, just fall-on-your-ass FUNNY ones. Neil Innes was (still is, actually) a real craftsman at writing those pop songs. Consider all those Rutles songs he was responsible for. Sure, you can take each one and see which particular Beatles song he was imitating, but it is also true that they are all enjoyable good songs, even if you have never heard of the Beatles.