The Trashmen's early punk classic:
Bit of a cheat though, this one: halfway through we switch from the original performance to a later take by Dutch comedian André van Duin, doing that demented bird strut (via). You can see the full original version from Dick Clark's American Bandstand, early 1964, here.
The song is basically a rip-off from two tracks by LA doo-wop group the Rivingtons, Papa Oom Mow Mow and The Bird's the Word, appropriated by the the surf rock Trashmen (originally from Minneapolis, as it happens, where surfing is very much a minority pastime) and given a proto-punk twist of genius by upping the speed, removing all the proper singing and just keeping the nonsense. Bingo!
In fact the story goes back further. Here's a blasting 1957 R'n'B instrumental, What's the Word, Thunderbird, from Red Prysock that starts with the exchange "What's the word?" - "Thunderbird!" - "What's the price?" - "Thirty twice!". It's taken from an old radio jingle advertising Thunderbird fortified wine that crept into the street language of the time:
What’s the word? Thunderbird
How’s it sold? Good and cold
What’s the jive? Bird’s alive
What’s the price? Thirty twice.
Which would seem to settle the origin of this particular piece of pop culture (though not everyone agrees). Only in America....
Of course the song received its ultimate punk accolade as one of the highlights of the Ramones' live act.
I loved this song especially after it was given an allmighty panning on Juke Box Jury. But I could never find a copy to buy until Kenny Everett released an LP of the 20 worst songs of all time which included it!
Posted by: Sheddie | January 25, 2014 at 12:55 PM